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Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Claim 50th Win in Regular Season Finale

March 24, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit defenseman PJ Forgione
Saginaw Spirit defenseman PJ Forgione
(Saginaw Spirit)

Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. - The Saginaw Spirit (50-16-1-1) defeated the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (45-18-3-2) for their 50th win of the season, 9-2, where nine different Spirit players scored goals, and both teams combined for 105 penalty minutes. Sebastien Gervais and Rodwin Dionicio finished with three points (1G, 2A), Lincoln Moore added two assists and Zayne Parekh added two more points enroute to a 96-point season. Andrew Oke started for Saginaw, stopping 12 of 14 shots, while Charlie Schenkel and Landon Miller combined for 14 saves on 23 shots for the Greyhounds.

At 7:26 into the first period, Saginaw opened the scoring with a goal by PJ Forgione. Following a tipped pass by a Soo defender, the puck was batted out to the blue line, where Forgione was waiting. The Saginaw defender took no time placing a shot on net, leaking through Miller for the 1-0 lead.

Approximately three minutes later, Ethan Hay received a tip pass at the top of the right circle and sent a backhand a pass behind the net. Sebastien Gervais swooped in behind the cage and passed the puck out in front for Nic Sima, who jammed a shot through Miller for the 2-0 lead.

Saginaw extended their lead just 1:02 later, when Sebastien Gervais sent a pass off the left side wall that Jorian Donovan attempted to knock ahead. Hunter Haight chased down the puck, entered the zone, and attempted a shot on goal. Haight's shot flew wide and ringed around the sideboards. Rodwin Dionicio stopped the puck at the blue line and looked to line up an opportunity. After sidestepping a Soo defender and pirouetting around another, the Anaheim prospect placed a perfect short shot side corner shot over the shoulder of Miller for his 25th of the season and extended the Saginaw lead to three.

Following the Dionicio goal, Sault Ste. Marie announced a goalie change subbing in Charlie Schenkel.

At 11:55 into the period, the Soo's Caeden Carlisle was given a five-minute major for cross-checking and game misconduct, setting up a long five-minute powerplay for the Spirit.

Two minutes into the powerplay, Rodwin Dionicio controlled the puck at the blue line and moved a pass to Joey Willis. The Saginaw winger held the puck at the right circle and sent a pass across the ice, looking for Owen Beck. The Montreal prospect bobbled the pass and skated back to recover the puck. After regaining control, Beck released a shot off the far post for his 34th of the season, giving Saginaw a 4-0 lead.

Following a penalty by the Greyhounds' Julian Fantino for roughing, Saginaw would be set up with a five-on-three powerplay for two minutes. After controlling the puck at that point, Zayne Parekh passed down to the right circle and found Michael Misa. He found Josh Bloom on a cross-ice pass for his 17th goal of the season, extending the Saginaw lead to five.

At the end of the first period, Saginaw led 5-0 and shots were 9-4 Spirit. Following the beginning of the second period, the Soo's Landon Miller was reinserted for Charlie Schenkel and finished the remainder of the game.

In the second period, Arttu Karki powered home his 21st of the season to get the Greyhounds on the board. Christopher Brown and Jacob Frasca picked up assists on the Soo's first goal.

Saginaw re-extended their lead to five goals after a goal by Alex Christopoulos. Owen Beck began the play after intercepting a pass in the neutral zone. Beck carried the puck in before passing to the left circle for Josh Bloom. The Vancouver prospect surveyed his options and attempted to move the puck back to Beck, but the pass ricocheted off his skate and into the slot. As the puck slid toward Miller, Alex Christopoulos jammed at it and slid it between the legs of the sprawling goaltender for his fifth goal in three games and 30th of the season.

Marco Mignosa carved into the Saginaw lead on the powerplay once again, making it 6-2 with assists to Jordan D'Intino and Arttu Karki.

After the second period, Saginaw continued to lead, 6-2, while outshooting the Soo 13-10.

In the third period, Michael Misa, Zayne Parekh, and Sebastien Gervais each added tallies to extend Saginaw's lead to 9-2.

Game 1 of the OHL Playoffs is next for Saginaw, with an opponent still to be determined. The puck drops on the postseason on March 28th.

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Saginaw Spirit defenseman PJ Forgione
Saginaw Spirit defenseman PJ Forgione
   

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