Shurygin Stops 50 in Game 3 OT Loss to Rangers
OHL Saginaw Spirit

Shurygin Stops 50 in Game 3 OT Loss to Rangers

Published on March 31, 2026 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit goaltender Stepan Shurygin vs. the Kitchener Rangers
Saginaw Spirit goaltender Stepan Shurygin vs. the Kitchener Rangers
(Saginaw Spirit, Credit: Eric Young)

Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit hosted the Kitchener Rangers for Game 3 three of the OHL playoffs after trailing 2-0 in the series. The Rangers would open the scoring in the first after a slap shot from Matthew Andonovski, but the Spirit would rally behind James Guo's first goal of the series. After a back-and-forth game between the two clubs, the Rangers would win 4-3 in overtime to take a 3-0 series lead.

The Kitchener Rangers opened the scoring early in the first period, with Matthew Andonovski scoring off the face-off, firing a slap shot past Stepan Shurygin from the blue line. Luca Romano picked up the only assist after winning the face-off, as the Rangers led 1-0 at 1:26.

The Spirit would respond later in the frame, with James Guo firing in a one-timer for his first of the post-season. Nikita Klepov danced around defenders to set up the shot in the left circle for the assist, as the teams stood tied at one at the end of the first period.

After 1: SAG 1 - 1 KIT (Total Shots: 3 - 18)

Alexander Bilecki restored the one-goal lead for the Rangers after his shot from the blue line bounced through traffic past Stepan Shurygin. Tanner Lam and Haeden Ellis picked up the assists as the Spirit trailed 2-1 at 8:23.

With just over a minute to go in the period, the Spirit tied Game 3 after Bode Stewart fired in a shot from the slot through the five-hole of Christian Kirsch. Egor Barabanov found him from the right-wings boards for the primary assist, and James Guo picked up the secondary assist for his second point of the game to tie it at two at 18:25.

After 2: SAG 2 - 2 KIT (2nd period shots: 10 - 18 Total shots: 36 - 13)

Nikita Klepov would give the Spirit their first lead of the game after he fired in his first OHL playoff goal on the power play, firing in a one-timer from the right circle. Egor Barabanov set him up for his second assist of the game, and Levi Harper picked up the secondary assist as the Spirit led 2-1 at 2:31.

Gabriel Chiarot tied it for the Rangers after his wrist shot from the point found its way past Shurygin for his second of the series. Carson Campbell and Cameron Reid picked up the assists as the Spirit and Rangers stood tied at three at 14:21.

After 3: SAG 3 - 3 KIT (3rd period shots 7 - 14, Total shots 20 - 50)

Luca Romano would be the overtime hero for the Kitchener Rangers after he cleaned up a rebound in the crease to secure the win. Alexander Bilecki picked up the primary assist, and Christian Humphreys earned the secondary as the Rangers took a 3-0 lead in the series, winning 4-3 at 6:39 of overtime.

Final: SAG 3 - 4 KIT (OT shots 0 - 4, Total shots 20 - 54)

Powerplays: SAG 1/5 KIT 0/4

Goaltenders: SAG: Stepan Shurygin (50 saves, 54 shots) KIT: Christian Kirsch (17 saves, 20 shots)

Game 4 between the Spirit and the Rangers is set for Thursday, April 2nd at the Dow Event Center. Puck drop as the Spirit try to extend their season is set for 7:05pm.

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Images from this story

Saginaw Spirit goaltender Stepan Shurygin vs. the Kitchener Rangers
Saginaw Spirit goaltender Stepan Shurygin vs. the Kitchener Rangers
(Eric Young)		   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 31, 2026


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