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Saginaw Spirit

Saginaw Sets New Win Record With Shutout Win Over Guelph

March 9, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Guelph Storm's Vilmer Alriksson battles Saginaw Spirit's Andrew Oke
Guelph Storm's Vilmer Alriksson battles Saginaw Spirit's Andrew Oke
(Saginaw Spirit, Credit: Eric Young)

Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit (46-15-1-1) welcomed the Guelph Storm (28-27-5-1) to the Dow Event Center on Saturday, March 9th. Josh Bloom netted two goals for Saginaw as the Spirit would set a new team record for most wins in a regular season with 46. Damian Slavik saved 28 of 34 shots on goal for Guelph while Andrew Oke stopped all 22 shots on goal for his second shutout victory of the season.

Will Bishop scored the first goal of the night for Saginaw with 14:28 left in the first. Bishop intercepted the puck and fired a long shot from behind the faceoff circle toward the goal. The puck snapped past Slavik's glove for the opening tally.

Only seconds later, Zayne Parekh was called for high sticking, giving Guelph their first power play opportunity of the night. Nevertheless, Saginaw's defense remained strong and with Andrew Oke saving multiple shots, the Spirit managed to kill off the penalty.

With 1:31 remaining in the first, Quinn Beauchesne received a high sticking call which gave Saginaw a power play opportunity to end the first period.

Will Bishop was the sole goal scorer in the first period, giving the Spirit a 1-0 lead going into the second period. However, Guelph outshoot Saginaw, 8-7, in the first period.

With 5:26 left in the second period, Saginaw extended their lead to two, thanks to Michael Misa. After intercepting the puck in the neutral zone, Misa skated all the way up to the right inner hash mark before flipping the puck right past Slavik's blocker.

Saginaw led Guelph, 2-0, at the end of the second with the Spirit also outshooting the Storm 18-11 (11-3 in the second period).

Only 18 seconds into the third period, Vilmer Alriksson received a roughing penalty, giving Saginaw another power play opportunity. This was short lived however, as 15 seconds later, Calem Mangone received a boarding penalty, making it an even 4-on-4.

With 18:30 left in the final period, Saginaw scored their third goal of the game. After receiving a pass from Rodwin Dionicio, Hunter Haight skated right in front of Slavik to simply tuck the puck in right under his pads for the goal.

Saginaw continued their goal run with Josh Bloom scoring his first of the night with 17 minutes left in the game. Bloom skated all the way to the slot before firing the puck five-hole on Slavik. Michael Misa was also credited with an assist on Bloom's 11th of the year.

Saginaw wasn't done yet as they'd add another goal to their lead with 15 minutes left in the game. Michael Misa passed to Calem Mangone, who then found Bloom in the slot for a powerplay goal and the 5-0 lead.

Alex Christopoulos notched his 24th of the season later in the period, with Zayne Parekh's assist tying him with Patrick McNeill for the most in a single season by a Spirit defenseman (56).

The Spirit shutout the Guelph Storm, 6-0, while outshooting them 34-22 (16-11 in the third period).

Saginaw's next game will be against Guelph again for the final time this regular season at the Sleeman Centre on Friday, March 15th. Puck drop is at 7:30pm.

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Images from this story

Guelph Storm's Vilmer Alriksson battles Saginaw Spirit's Andrew Oke
Guelph Storm's Vilmer Alriksson battles Saginaw Spirit's Andrew Oke
(Eric Young)		   

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 9, 2024


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