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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Saginaw Ends Playoff Run with Loss to Sarnia

April 20, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Sprit on game night
Saginaw Sprit on game night
(Saginaw Spirit, Credit: Eric Young)

Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Sprit (4-7) lost 4-0 to the Sarnia Sting (8-2) Thursday, April 20, at the Dow Event Center, and were swept by the third place Sting.

Benjamin Gaudreau posted his second shutout of the series by stopping all 25 shots faced for Sarnia. Marcus Limpar-Lantz scored a goal and an assist for the Sting.

The game began with Saginaw down two skaters after Nic Sima and Mitchell Smith both went to the box for high sticking at 4:38 and 5:49. Just before the first penalty expired, Sarnia netted their first goal of the game at 6:30. Christian Kyrou left the puck for Ty Voit at the left wing in Saginaw's zone. The Toronto Maple Leafs pick sent a pass to Luca Del Bel Belluz at the right wing. The center rifled a shot over Tristan Lennox's glove, earning his sixth of the postseason in the process.

Zach Filak was called for slashing at 14:37 in the first period, giving Saginaw their first powerplay of the game. Almost immediately after the advantage ended, Roberto Mancini committed a holding penalty at 16:40, which sent the Sting to a man-advantage. Neither team scored on the chances.

With 62 seconds remaining in the first frame, Sarnia added to their lead. Marcus Limpar-Lantz received a pass from Ethan Ritchie in the Spirit's zone. The center sent a shot at Lennox, and he made the save. A scramble at the goaltender's doorstep developed, and Easton Wainwright pushed the puck past Lennox to make it 2-0.

At the end of the first period, the Sting held a 13-8 shot lead and led the game, 2-0.

The second period started with the Spirit on an extended man-advantage after Brenden Anderson went to the box for interference and an unsportsmanlike at 3:20. Despite being down a skater, Sarnia was able to add to their lead at 4:38. A Sting skater cleared the puck and Lennox went behind his net to start the breakout. Marcus Limpar-Lantz stole the puck and put it into the open net for his second of the playoffs.

The rest of the frame resulted in back-and-forth play, but ultimately ended with Sarnia leading 3-0 but Saginaw leading shots, 20-18.

The third period opened with Saginaw taking multiple penalties back-to-back. The Sting were unable to score on any of the chances.

Sarnia made it 4-0 at 8:57 in the third frame. Easton Wainwright passed up to Tyson Doucette and he flew into Saginaw's zone. The winger rifled a shot past Lennox for his second of the postseason. Ryan Mast earned an assist on the play.

Neither team scored after that point, and Sarnia won 4-0 with a 31-25 shot lead. Sarnia advances to the Western Conference Final for the first time in franchise history, while the Spirit see their season end after 11 postseason games. They finish with a postseason record of 4-7.

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Images from this story

Saginaw Sprit on game night
Saginaw Sprit on game night
(Eric Young)		   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 20, 2023


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