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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Late Comeback by Spirit Falls Short, 3-2

February 26, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit take on the Flint Firebirds
Saginaw Spirit take on the Flint Firebirds
(Saginaw Spirit, Credit: Natalie Shaver - OHL Images)

Flint, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit (30-24-2-1) fell 3-2 to the Flint Firebirds (27-26-4-1) Sunday, February 26, at the Dort Financial Center

Saginaw's Mitchell Smith potted a goal and an assist while Dean Loukus racked up two helpers. Prior to the game, Smith was named as the 23rd Captain in team history. Andrew Oke got the nod for the Spirit, stopping 34 of 37 shots faced. Ethan Hay netted a goal and an assist for the Firebirds. Nathan Day started in net for Flint, giving up two goals on 28 shots.

While neither team could score through the first ten minutes of play, Flint found success first at 11:18. Gavin Hayes started the play by passing up to Riley Piercey. Amadeus Lombardi received it next in the neutral zone and broke away from the Saginaw defenders. The Detroit Red Wings prospect skated across the crease and potted the puck on a backhanded shot past Oke for his 38th of the season.

Saginaw went down a skater after Sebastien Gervais was called for hooking at 11:32 in the first period. Just four seconds into the penalty, the Firebirds made it 2-0. Simon Slavicek won the faceoff and passed back to Tristan Bertucci. The defenseman rifled a shot from the blue line and Ethan Hay deflected the puck past Oke. The goal is Hay's 16th of the season.

At the end of the first period, Flint held a 10-4 shot advantage and led 2-0.

The second period began with Saginaw on their first man-advantage after Alex Bradshaw took a tripping call at 2:29. Flint maintained their lead by holding the Spirit scoreless on the chance.

Both teams went down a skater after PJ Forgione and Tyler Deline received penalties at 6:26 in the second frame. Right before the penalties expired, Simon Slavick went to the box for tripping at 8:22 to give Saginaw a powerplay. The Spirit could not score on the chance.

Flint went on the man advantage after Calem Mangone was called for tripping at 10:38 in the middle period. The Firebirds scored another powerplay goal at 12:33. Dmitry Kuzmin received a pass from Zacharie Giroux in the zone. The Winnipeg Jets pick gave the puck to Tyler Deline, and he sent a shot over Oke's blocker for his seventh of the season.

The Spirit got a pair of powerplays after Gavin Hayes committed a charging penalty at 14:59 and Ethan Hay took a tripping call at 18:20 in the second period. While unsuccessful on the first, Saginaw converted on the second powerplay at 18:41. Matyas Sapovaliv gave Dean Loukus the puck at the top of the zone. The Michigan native sent a pass over to Mitchell Smith, and he ripped a shot over Day's glove to make it 3-1.

At the end of the second period, Flint led 3-1 and held a 23-16 shot advantage.

The third period started with the Spirit on the man-advantage after Tyler Deline committed a delay of game penalty at 2:26. Saginaw cut Flint's lead to two just five seconds later. Dean Loukus earned his second assist after Mitchell Smith gave him the puck on the right wing. The winger sent a one-timer pass to Hunter Haight and he potted his 17th of the season.

Roberto Mancini was called for hooking at 2:59 in the third frame, giving the Firebirds a man-advantage. The Spirit successfully killed off the chance with several clearing attempts.

Later in the period, Olivier Savard took a delay of game call at 14:59 which gave Flint another powerplay. Like the previous penalty, Saginaw held Flint scoreless on the man-advantage.

Oke skated to the bench with a bit over two minutes remaining to get an extra skater. Saginaw was unable to score, and Flint won 3-2 with a 37-28 shot lead. With the loss, Saginaw falls to 30-24-2-1 this season. After the 8th and final game of the season series, Saginaw still holds the 5-3 series win.

Saginaw continues their four-game road trip by visiting the Peterborough Petes Thursday, March 2, at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics




Images from this story

Saginaw Spirit take on the Flint Firebirds
Saginaw Spirit take on the Flint Firebirds
(Natalie Shaver - OHL Images)		   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 26, 2023


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