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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Cut Down by Guelph, 7-3

March 25, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit (36-26-3-2) lost 7-3 to the Guelph Storm (35-28-4-1) Saturday, March 25, at the Dow Event Center.

Joey Willis and Matyas Sapovaliv each recorded a goal and an assist for Saginaw. Brett Fullerton got the start for the Spirit, stopping 20 of 27 shots faced. Max Namestnikov recorded a hat trick while Brayden Gillespie stopped 15 of 18 Saginaw shots.

The game began with Saginaw down a skater after Sebastien Gervais went to the box for hooking at 9:36. Guelph was unable to score on the chance.

Nic Sima committed a double minor high sticking penalty at 14:24 in the first frame, giving the Storm a long man-advantage. The Spirit killed off the chance with several clearing attempts.

At the end of the first period, neither team was on the board despite a seven to four Guelph shot advantage.

The second period started with Saginaw opening up the scoring at 1:40. Matyas Sapovaliv received the puck from James Guo. The Vegas Golden Knights draft pick sent a pass to Joey Willis and he potted the puck under Gillespie's glove from the left wing. The goal was Willis' 15th of the season.

The Spirit added to their lead with another goal just 12 seconds later. Theo Hill passed to Sebastien Gervais in the Storm's zone. Zayne Parekh received a pass next, and he shot the puck under Gillespie's blocker for his 21st of the season.

Guelph went down a skater after Cam Allen took a checking from behind call at 2:14 in the second frame. Saginaw was held scoreless on the chance.

The Storm got on the board at 10:20 in the middle period. Gavin Grundner fired a shot at Fullterton and he made the save. Braeden Bowman recovered the puck and pushed it past the goaltender for his 32nd of the season.

A few minutes later, Guelph tied the game at two apiece. Matthew Poitras won the faceoff and sent a quick pass over to Max Namestnikov. The center sent a shot past Fullterton while diving for his 37th of the season.

Guelph took the lead at 18:12 in the second period. Max Namestnikov rifled a shot over Fullterton's shoulder for his second of the game and 38th of the season.

After 40 minutes of play, the Storm held an 18-11 shot advantage along with a 3-2 lead of the game.

The third period opened with Saginaw down a skater after Theo Hill went to the box for tripping at 3:47. Guelph used the chance to make it 4-2 at 4:59. Braeden Bowman scored his second of the game after he potted a rebounded shot from Matthew Poitras. Michael Buchinger earned an assist on the play.

The Storm extended their lead to five with a tally at 5:55 in the third frame. Valentin Zhugin received a pass from Jesse Fishman and he wristed a shot over Fullerton's blocker for his 17th of the season.

Saginaw answered back with a goal of their own at 11:10 in the final period. After a Josh Glavin shot went wide of Gillespie, Matyas Sapovaliv banked the rebound off the goaltender's back for his 27th of the season. Joey Willis added an assist for his second point of the contest.

Guelph made it 6-3 with a score at 14:59 in the final frame. Max Namestnikov stole the puck from a Saginaw skater in the Spirit's zone. The center beat Fullerton blocker-side for his third career hat trick.

Saginaw went on the man-advantage after Cam Allen was called for slashing at 17:06 in the third period. Guelph added a shorthanded goal at 18:21 courtesy of Charlie Paquette. The goal was his 11th of the season.

At the end of the game, Guelph won 7-3 with a 27-18 shot advantage. Saginaw falls to 36-26-3-2 on the season with the loss, but wins the season series over the Storm, 3-1.

Saginaw's final regular season game is Sunday, March 26, as they host the Owen Sound Attack at the Dow Event Center. Puck drop is at 5:30 p.m. and tickets are available at Ticketmaster, the Saginaw Spirit Store (6321 State Street), Dow Event Center Box Office, and by phone at (989) 497-7747. The Spirit will honor their overage players, Mitchell Smith, Tristan Lennox, and Theo Hill prior to puck drop.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 25, 2023


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