OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Begin Season's Final Weekend in Sarnia Friday Night

Published on March 22, 2024 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit (47-16-1-1) take on the Sarnia Sting (24-38-3-1) on Friday, March 22nd at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena for the sixth and final time of the season.

Tonight's Game:

Puck drop is at 7:05 PM

Broadcast:

Television: CHL TV, CHL App, OHL Action Pak Ch. 469

Radio: 100.5 FM WSGW, WSGW.com

Last Time:

Saginaw's last game was on March 16th, when the Spirit fell to the Erie Otters, 5-4, at the Erie Insurance Arena. Both teams held serve in the first and second, and they entered the third knotted up at two apiece. Erie opened the third with two quick tallies before Saginaw scored back. The Otters responded in kind with a goal of their own before the Spirit scored with just over a minute to go but could not tie the game up, falling 5-4. Josh Bloom scored twice, and Matyas Sapovaliv collected a goal and an assist. Owen Beck and Zayne Parekh collected two-assist nights,and Nolan Lalonde started for the Spirit, saving 32 of 36 in the loss.

Sarnia last played on March 20th, when the Sting lost to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 3-1 on the road in the GFL Memorial Gardens. Sarnia scored first early in the second and entered the third up 1-0. The Greyhounds then scored three goals in 1:39 in the third and held out for the 3-1 win. Cooper Way scored his 11th of the season, with Tyson Doucette assisting on the powerplay goal. Nick Surzycia started for the Sting between the pipes, grabbing 38 of 41 in the loss.

This Season:

Saginaw and Sarnia have seen each other five times this season, with the Spirit going (4-1-0-0) throughout those games. The Spirit and Sting last met on December 15th when Saginaw returned with a 2-1 overtime victory at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena. Alex Christopoulos scored twice for Saginaw, including the game-winning OT goal, and Jacob LeBlanc scored the lone goal for the Sting. Nick Surzycia started for Sarnia, saving 31 of 33, and Nolan Lalonde manned the crease for Saginaw, stopping 18 of 19.

Sarnia's only win against Saginaw this season happened on October 28th, when the Sting finished off a 3-1 win at the Dow Event Center. Matyas Sapovaliv scored his third for Saginaw, and the LeBlanc twins both scored in the Sarnia win. Nolan Lalonde guarded the net for Saginaw stopping 24 of 26 while Nick Surzycia tended the net for Sarnia, stopping 27 of 28

Players to Watch:

Zayne Parekh continues his draft-eligible season, leading the Spirit in points with 90 (tied for first among OHL defensemen) and assists with 59 (seventh in the OHL). Owen Beck holds Saginaw's goal lead with 33 and has contributed 45 points (17G, 28) in 29 games since being acquired via Peterborough. Beck is currently riding a 17-game point streak stretching back to February 9th. In those 17 games, Beck has collected 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points. Josh Bloom also continues a nine-game point streak collecting seven goals and seven assists for 14 points. Andrew Oke leads the Spirit in every major goaltending category, holding a 2.94 goals against average (GAA) (third in the OHL), a .890 save percentage (SV%), 27 wins (tied for third in the OHL), and two shutouts.

Sarnia is led by Marko Sikic, who has 55 points and 38 assists as team leader. The Sting have two primary goal leaders in Tyson Doucette (23) and Zach Filak (22), with Doucette putting home eight of his goals on the powerplay. Sarnia has two rookie wingers with 11 goals this season, with Carter Kostuch adding 11 assists for 22 points and Ryan Brown adding nine assists for 20 points. Nick Surzycia leads the Sting in all major goaltending categories, holding a 4.06 GAA, a .871 SV%, and a team-leading 15 wins.

Saginaw currently has ten (10) players tied to the National Hockey League (NHL), including Joey Willis (Nashville), Josh Bloom (Vancouver, TR), Matyas Sapovaliv (Vegas), Hunter Haight (Minnesota), Owen Back (Montreal), Ethan Hay (Tampa Bay), Braden Haché (Florida), Jorian Donovan (Ottawa), Rodwin Dionicio (Anaheim) and Nolan Lalonde (Columbus, FA).

Sarnia currently has one (1) player tied to the National Hockey League (NHL) in Kai Schwindt (Florida, FA).

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics

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