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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Sapovaliv's 3rd Period Tally Sends Spirit Past Sting, 3-2

November 7, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit exchange fist bumps
Saginaw Spirit exchange fist bumps
(Saginaw Spirit, Credit: Natalie Shaver - OHL Images)

Sarnia, Ont. - The Saginaw Spirit (6-7-0-1) defeated the Sarnia Sting (8-8-0-0) on the road on Tuesday, November 7th, by a score of 3-2. Will Bishop scored his first OHL goal, and Matyas Sapovaliv extended his scoring streak to seven games with the game-winning goal. Andrew Oke started in net for the Spirit, stopping 27 of 29 shots. Nicholas Surzycia started in net for the Sting, saving 29 of 32 shots on goal.

5:42 into the game, the Saginaw Spirit were the first to score. Hunter Haight found Michael Misa in the offensive zone for a chance in the slot. His shot was deflected by Will Bishop right on the doorstep, trickling past Surzycia for his first career OHL goal.

The Spirit killed off a pair of Sting powerplays as the period progressed, and neither team was able to score during a 4-on-4.

Saginaw carried their 1-0 lead into the dressing room, while the Sting held an 11-8 shot advantage.

The second period began with Saginaw on a power play opportunity due to a slashing call to Cooper Way at the end of the second period. The Spirit were unable to convert on the powerplay, but found an opportunity immediately after.

Back at 5-on-5, Braden Haché passed the puck up to Dean Loukus, who sat just a few feet in front of Nicholas Surzycia. Loukus wasted no time banging home the loose puck to give Saginaw a 2-0 lead with 17:54 left in the second period. Sebastien Gervais also picked up a helper on Loukus' second of the year.

Sarnia soon responded with a goal of their own. Andrew LeBlanc passed the puck up to Tyson Doucette in the neutral zone who then found Marko Sikic. His shot found a way past Oke and cut the lead to 2-1 at 12:08 of the period.

Sarnia wasn't done yet. Lukas Fischer made a long pass from the left faceoff circle to Easton Wainwright in the neutral zone. Wainwright took the puck up to then make a backwards pass to Zach Filak who took a shot on goal, sending the puck past Andrew Oke and into the net. This goal tied the game up at 2-2 with 10:44 left in the second period.

The second period ended tied at two apiece with Saginaw now outshooting Sarnia 22-20 (14-9 in the second period).

3:44 into the third period, Saginaw regained the lead. Braden Haché passed up to Calem Mangone in the neutral zone who then passed across ice to Matyas Sapovaliv. The Czech center found himself alone against Surzycia, and a deke to the backhand gave him his fifth of the season, and a 3-2 Spirit lead.

Saginaw defeated Sarnia on the road by a score of 3-2, picking up their first road win of the season. The Spirit outshot the Sting 32-29 (10-9 in the third period).

Saginaw's next game will be home against the Flint Firebirds on Wednesday, November 8th. Puck drop is at 7:05pm at the Dow Event Center.

For more information, visitsaginawspirit.comor follow the team onTwitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

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Images from this story

Saginaw Spirit exchange fist bumps
Saginaw Spirit exchange fist bumps
(Natalie Shaver - OHL Images)		   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 7, 2023


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