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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Complete Perfect Weekend with 5-2 Win in Guelph

March 3, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Guelph, Ont. - The Saginaw Spirit (43-15-0-1) fought off the Guelph Storm (27-25-5-1) with a 5-2 win at the Sleeman Centre on March 3rd. Owen Beck keeps his team leads in goals, netting his 32nd of the year, while Jorian Donovan collected four points (2G, 2A) for the third time in his career. Brayden Gillespie started for Guelph, stopping 24 of 28 shots, while Nolan Lalonde remained vigilant, stopping 15 of 17 in the win for Saginaw.

Saginaw and Guelph opened the game with constant spirited play that peaked with a fight between Saginaw's Rodwin Dionicio and Guelph's Cam Allen at 14:15 into the first.

The Spirit broke the deadlock at 18:15 into the period after Saginaw captain Braden Haché dismantled an offensive chance for the Storm. After stopping the puck on the rush, Haché looked up the ice, spotting Hunter Haight. The Minnesota prospect received the puck and crossed the line with only one Guelph defender in his way. Haight undressed the defenseman and goaltender for his 23rd of the season, setting a 1-0 lead that Saginaw would take into the second period.

At the end of the first, Saginaw led 1-0 while just outshooting the Storm 9 to 8.

The Storm stayed down only briefly, tying the game at one just 21 seconds into the second period. Braeden Bowman notched his 30th of the year from the left circle with assists to Cam Allen and Max Namestnikov.

Two minutes later, Saginaw re-claimed the lead off a goal by Jorian Donovan. After interrupting a Storm dump-and-chase, Sebastien Gervais collected the puck and placed a perfect lead pass for Alex Christopoulos. The Saginaw winger entered the zone and left the puck behind him for Jorian Donovan, who ripped a puck through Gillespie for the 2-1 lead.

After a penalty by Guelph's Ryan McGuire for slashing, Saginaw would be set up on a powerplay looking to extend their lead. After getting a pass at the blue line, Jorian Donovan moved the puck to the right circle for Josh Bloom. The Vancouver prospect waited for the pass then took a one-timer from the circle that pinballed of the right leg of Alex Christopoulos for a 3-1 Saginaw lead.

After the final buzzer of the second period, Saginaw continued to lead 3-1 while outshooting the Storm 13 to 4 in the second and 22 to 12 overall.

Following a boarding penalty by Saginaw's Hunter Haight, the Storm would capitalize with another powerplay goal. Braeden Bowman slammed home his second of the game to bring the Storm within a goal at 3:20 of the third period.

After a fantastic save by Gillespie on Josh Bloom, Owen Beck recollected the possession for Saginaw and brushed the puck back to the Guelph blueline. A pass back to Jorian Donovan resulted in a puck through traffic and another two-goal lead for the Spirit. Donovan's 13th of the season made it 4-2.

With approximately three minutes remaining, Guelph pulled the goaltender in favor of the extra skater, hoping to find the back of the net late. After many chances on the empty net, Owen Beck gathered the puck in the Saginaw zone and flipped it over the Guelph defense and into the open net for his 32nd of the year, cementing a 5-2 Saginaw win.

Saginaw outshot Guelph every period, including the third, leading 29 to 17 overall.

This win continued Saginaw's victory streak to four games, and lifted them to (43-15-0-1).

Saginaw's next game is another visit to the Flint Firebirds on Wednesday, Mach 6th, for the Coors Light I-75 Divide Cup season finale at the Dort Financial Center. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 3, 2024


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