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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit and Sting Clash Friday Night in Sarnia

December 15, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Sarnia, Ont. - The Saginaw Spirit (18-9-0-1) visit the Sarnia Sting (11-19-0-0) for a West Division matchup on Friday, December 15th, at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena.

Tonight's Game:

Puck drop is at 7:05 pm.

Broadcast:

Television: CHL TV, CHL App, OHL Action Pak Ch. 463

Radio: 100.5 FM WSGW, WSGW.com

Last Time:

Saginaw defeated Flint at home on Thursday, December 14th, 5-3, clinching the Coors Light I-75 Cup for the season. Saginaw jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first intermission, Flint responded with a three-goal second period, and then the Spirit scored three goals in the final four minutes to secure a 5-3 win. Calem Mangone and Alex Christopoulos scored their tenth goals of the year, PJ Forgione scored his third, and Hunter Haight scored his 14th of the year on the empty net. Dean Loukus (1G, 1A) and Joey Willis (2A) finished with two-point nights, and Andrew Oke guarded the blue paint for Saginaw, turning away 21 of 24 shots for his 12th win of the season.

Sarnia fell 4-1 to Oshawa on Sunday, December 10th, at Progressive Auto Sales Arena. Oshawa and Sarnia combined for three goals in the first two minutes, with the Generals leading 2-1 at the intermission. Oshawa scored one in the following two periods to walk away with a comfortable 4-1 win. Kai Schwindt was the lone goal scorer for the Sting, netting his second of the year. Sean Doherty and Nathan Omeri assisted on the goal, and Nick Surzycia stopped 15 of 19 shots in the loss.

Last Matchup:

Saginaw and Sarnia last saw each other on Saturday, November 25th, at the Dow Event Center, where the Spirit downed the Sting 6-1 in a convincing victory. Saginaw scored two goals before Sarnia got on the board. The Spirit then scored four straight, including three powerplay goals, to secure a 6-1 win.

Matyas Sapovaliv completed a four-point night (1G, 3A), while Alex Christopoulos finished with a three-point night (1G, 2A). Dean Loukus and Michael Misa added a goal and an assist apiece, while Zayne Parekh added two assists. Nolan Lalonde started for Saginaw, stopping 18 of 19 in the win.

Carson Hall scored the lone goal for the Sting, netting his second of the year. Cooper Way and Eston Wainwright assisted on the goal, and goaltenders Nick Surzycia and Chartier Karsen combined for 35 saves on 41 shots in the loss.

Players to Watch:

Zayne Parekh continues his stellar season, leading Saginaw in points (11G-29A-40P) while sitting top 5 in goals, assists, and points among OHL defenseman. Parekh has also accrued 13 power play assists, tying him for second place in the OHL. Hunter Haight and Michael Misa lead the team in goals (14), with seven of Misa's goals coming via the powerplay. Matyas Sapovaliv (Team Czechia) and Rodwin Dionico (Team Switzerland) are currently away from the team participating in World Junior Selection Camps. AndrewOkeleads the Saginaw in all major goaltender categories, sporting a 2.74 goals against average (GAA), a .903 save percentage (SV%), and 11 wins.

With a win tonight, Spirit head coach Chris Lazary can tie Todd Watson as the winningest coach in Spirit history. Watson won 154 games in Saginaw from 2007-2011. As of last night's win against Flint, Lazary has won 153 since taking over as head coach in November of 2018.

Jacob LeBlanc leads the Sting in points with 31 and assists with 25. Tyson Doucette has lit the lamp most for Sarnia, netting 12 goals. Daylen Moses and rookie Nathan Omeri have scored a shorthanded goal this season, with fellow rookie Ryan Brown tied for tenth in the OHL in rookie goal scorers with four goals. Sarnia's goaltending duties are handled by Nick Surzycia and rookie Karsen Chartier. The rookie leads the charge with a 3.54 GAA and a .868 SV%, while Surzycia holds six of Sarnia's victories.

Saginaw currently has seven (7) players tied to the National Hockey League (NHL), including Joey Willis (Nashville), Matyas Sapovaliv (Vegas), Hunter Haight (Minnesota), Ethan Hay (Tampa Bay), Braden Haché (Florida), Rodwin Dionicio (Anaheim) and Nolan Lalonde (Columbus, FA).

Sarnia currently has two (2) players tied to the National Hockey League (NHL), including Kai Schwindt (Florida, FA) and Sandis Vilmanis (Florida).

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 15, 2023


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