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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Claim First Victory of the Year in Home Opener vs. Sarnia

September 30, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit earned their first win of the season against the Sarnia Sting at the Dow Event Center Saturday night by a 2-1 score. Jacob Cloutier's first career OHL goal proved to be the game-winner, and a stellar night from Andrew Oke guided Saginaw to victory. Nick Surzycia started in net for the Sarnia Sting.

Sebatien Gervais took a seat in the sin bin after receiving a hooking penalty 3:37 into the first period. Sarnia would take two shots on goal in their power play opportunity but were unable to capitalize.

13:34 into the first period, after a long back and forth battle, Hunter Haight received a hooking call giving Sarnia another power play opportunity. Sarnia would only take one shot on goal but it was stopped by Oke.

The first period ended in a scoreless tie, with both teams managing nine shots on goal.

Saginaw finally opened the scoring midway through the second period. Calem Mangone sent a pass to Hunter Haight behind the net. Haight tried to jam the puck on the far side, and Joey Willis raced into the blue paint to bang home his first of the season for the 1-0 lead.

Only minutes after, Luke McNamara threw a pass up to Valentin Zhugin breaking into the offensive zone. While being tripped and drawing a penalty, Zhugin fed a puck to Jacob Cloutier, who tucked it around Surzycia's pad for the 2-0 lead at 11:52 of the second period.

With 6:53 left in the second period, the Spirit would receive their third penalty of the night with Roberto Mancini receiving a holding penalty.

Sarnia wouldn't be able to capitalize on the power play opportunity again but would manage to get on the board with 4:39 left in the period. Sean Doherty passed the puck up to Tyson Doucette, who beat Oke past the blocker and cut the deficit to 2-1.

The second period would end there, with Saginaw outshooting Sarnia as well, 10-8 in the period and 19-17 in the game.

The third period would start off being a physical battle with both teams taking shot after shot on goal.

Sarnia's Mitch Young took a high sticking penalty, their first of the night, with 8:40 left in the game. Saginaw attempted multiple shots, but none found the back of the net.

With only 2:55 left in the game Sarnia's Owen MacDonald for Sarnia would receive a delay of game penalty. Saginaw was unable to convert for the second time.

Shortly after Mitch Young returned from the penalty box, Sarnia would pull Nick Surzycia leaving an empty net with just seconds left in the game, but the Spirit hung on. Andrew Oke made 24 out of 25 saves for his first win of the year, while Sarnia's Nick Surzycia stopped 28 of 30.

Saginaw's next game will be a rematch against the the Kitchener Rangers next Saturday, October 7th at the Dow Event Center. Puck drop is at 7:05pm.

For more information, visit saginawspirit.com or follow the team on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 30, 2023


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