OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Close Three-Game Weekend in Flint

Published on October 29, 2023 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Flint, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit (4-5-0-1) face west division rival Flint (4-6-1-0) for the second time this season at the Dort Financial Center on Sunday, October 29th.

Tonight's Game:

Puck drop is at 4:00 PM

This is the second installment of this season's Coors Light I-75 Divide Cup series. Saginaw looks to protect the cup after winning it five games to three in 2022-2023.

Broadcast

Television: CHL TV, CHL App, OHL Action Pak Ch. 470

Radio: 100.5 FM WSGW, WSGW.com

Last Time:

Saginaw lost to the Sarnia Sting on Saturday, October 28th, by a score of 3-1 at the Dow Event Center. Saturday's game saw the Spirit fall for the first time in regulation from the Dow Event Center. Matyas Sapovaliv scored the only goal for the Spirit, while Micheal Misa and Roberto Mancini grabbed assists. Newly acquired Ethan Hay center was 10 for 12 in the faceoff circle, and goaltender Nolan Lalonde recorded 24 saves on 26 shots in his third straight start.

Flint lost in overtime to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on Saturday, October 28th, by a score of 6-5 at home to fall to 4-6-1-0 on the year. Jeremy Martin scored twice for the Firebirds, netting his fourth and fifth of the year. Braeden Kressler completed a two-point night (1G, 1A), including the game-tying goal in the third period. Jacob Brown started between the pipes, stopping 28 of 34 shots in his first loss of the season.

Last Time:

The Saginaw Spirit last played the Flint Firebirds on Wednesday, October 11th, at the Doe Event Center. This game ended in a 2-1 victory for the Spirit, highlighted by goals from Zayne Parekh and Dean Loukus. Matyas Sapovaliv added two assists in a multi-point night, and PJ Forgione added an assist of his own. Kaden Pitre was the sole goal scorer for the Firebirds, being assisted by Nolan Dann and Marko Stojkov. Andrew Oke started for Saginaw, saving 24 of 25, while the Firebirds started Nathan Day, who saved 21 of 23.

Saginaw was 5-3-0-0 against Flint last season and is 14-5-0-0 over the past five years while visiting the Dort Financial Center.

Players to Watch:

Hunter Haight leads the Spirit in points (13) and is second in both goals (5) and assists (8). Valentin Zhugin leads the team in goals (6), and Zayne Parekh leads the Spirit in assists (10). Matyas Sapovaliv continues to do well at the faceoff dot, going 122 for 194 for a 62.9 face-off percentage (FO%). Ethan Hay will play his first game against his former team since being acquired on October 24th and has scored one goal and won 12 of 17 at face-offs for a 70.5 FO% in Saginaw. Andrew Oke leads Saginaw in goals against average (GAA) with a 2.68 save percentage (SV%) of .894 and wins with three (3).

Zacharie Giroux leads the Firebirds in both points (10) and in goals (6) and is tied for second in assists (4). Coulson Pitre leads the team with five assists, and Braeden Kressler has been their top man at faceoffs, sporting an even 51.0 FO%. Nathan Day currently leads Flint in all major goaltending categories, including GAA (4.77), SV% (.850), and wins (3).

Saginaw currently has six players drafted or signed to the National Hockey League (NHL), including Joey Willis (Nashville), Matyas Sapovaliv (Vegas), Hunter Haight (Minnesota), Ethan Hay (Tampa Bay), and Braden Haché (Flordia), and Nolan Lalonde (Columbus, FA)

Flint currently has five (5) with NHL ties, including Coulson Pitre (Anaheim), Gavin Hayes (Chicago), Tristan Bertucci (Dallas), Braeden Kressler (Toronto, FA), and Nathan Day (Edmonton).

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 29, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central