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Saginaw Spirit

Parekh Sets D-Scoring Record as Saginaw Defeats North Bay, 5-3

February 18, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit on the ice
Saginaw Spirit on the ice
(Saginaw Spirit, Credit: Stuart Macleod)

North Bay, Ont. - The Saginaw Spirit (39-14-0-1) visited the North Bay Battalion (28-17-6-2) on Sunday, February 17th, at the North Bay Memorial Gardens. After scoring a goal and an assist, Zayne Parekh set the new single-season scoring record by a Spirit defenseman at 79 points. Andrew Oke started in net for Saginaw, saving 21 of 24 shots while Dom DiVincentiis started in net for North Bay, saving 28 of 33.

With 13:42 left in the first, Saginaw received their first power play opportunity of the game with Jacob Therrien serving a five minute major for a check from behind and a game misconduct penalty. On the power play, Hunter Haight made a shot on goal that bounced off DiVincentiis pads to Josh Bloom. His first shot was stopped, but Bloom potted his own rebound to grab the 1-0 lead.

With 11 minutes left in the second, not only did Saginaw extend their lead to two, but Spirit history was made. Matyas Sapovaliv passed to Rodwin Dionicio who then passed to Zayne Parekh. His shot sailed past DiVincentiis' glove, becoming the first Spirit defenseman to score 78 points in a single season.

Saginaw continued to add to their lead, soon scoring their third power play goal of the game with nine minutes left in the first. Michael Misa made a long pass off the wall to Owen Beck who immediately passed to Rodwin Dionicio. His point shot ripped through traffic for the 3-0 lead.

Ethan Hay was sent to the penalty box for slashing with 5 minutes left in the first. This gave North Bay their first power play opportunity of the game but they were unable to score.

As soon as Ethan Hay returned from the box, Owen Beck took off up ice. He managed to make a backhanded pass to Hay, who sent a one-timer into the net just out of reach of DiVincentiis.

The first period ended with Saginaw leading North Bay, 4-0, as well as outshooting the Battalion, 16-4.

Justin Ertel managed to score a short-handed goal, North Bay's first goal of the game, just 15 seconds into the second period. After collecting a pass from Liam Arnsby, Ertel took a slapshot from the point that deflected off a stick and past Andrew Oke.

Heading into the third period, Saginaw led North Bay, 4-1, as well as outshot the Battalion, 27-14 (11-10 in the second period).

With 12:15 left in the game, North Bay managed to cut their deficit within two. On a 3-on-1, Ty Nelson and Andrew LeBlanc set up Owen Van Steensel who tipped the puck in behind Oke.

Not a minute later, Brice Cooke scored off the rush to bring the Battalion within a goal, 4-3.

With 10 minutes left in the game, Josh Bloom scored on a breakaway with a backhand move around DiVincentiis' left pad. Zayne Parekh picked up an assist after his pass from the defensive zone found Bloom in stride at the North Bay blue line.

The Saginaw Spirit defeated the North Bay Battalion, 5-3 while outshooting them 33-24 (6-10 in the third period).

The Saginaw Spirit will return home to take on the Flint Firebirds on Wednesday, February 21nd, at the Dow Event Center. Puck drop is at 7:05 pm.

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Images from this story

Saginaw Spirit on the ice
Saginaw Spirit on the ice
(Stuart Macleod)		   

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