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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Defeat Wolves 4-3, Lazary Sets Team Win Record

December 16, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit's Hunter Haight congratulated in win
Saginaw Spirit's Hunter Haight congratulated in win
(Saginaw Spirit)

Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit (20-9-0-1) defeated the Sudbury Wolves (16-11-2-1), 4-3, on Saturday, December 16th, at the Dow Event Center. With his 155th win at the helm, Spirit head coach Chris Lazary becomes the winningest coach in team history. Andrew Oke started in net for the Spirit and made 27 saves on 30 shots while Nate Krawchuk started for the Wolves and made 11 saves on 13 shots on goal. Marcus Vandenberg replaced Krawchuck in the second period and made 15 saves on 17 shots.

The Wolves were the first to get on the board when Nick Yearwood dropped a pass to Djibril Toure in the slot. Toure instantly fired a shot toward goal that sailed right past Andrew Oke's blocker and into the net. This gave the Wolves a 1-0 lead over the Spirit with 8:15 left in the first period.

At the end of the first period, Saginaw was down 1-0 to Sudbury with the Spirit outshooting the Wolves 10-7.

Two minutes into the second period, the Wolves suffered another penalty. Owen Protz received an interference call and was sent to the penalty box giving Saginaw another power play opportunity. Hunter Haight dropped a pass back to Joey Willis who then found Zayne Parekh, ten feet ahead of the blue line. Parekh immediately fired a shot past Nate Krawchuk's blocker and into the net. The Teddy Bears started to fly as the Spirit would tied the game 1-1 with 17:42 left in the second period.

Saginaw soon took the lead with 15:42 left in the second period. Joey Willis found Calem Mangone in the offensive zone for a tap back to PJ Forgione. The Spirit defenseman rifled a shot all the way from the left point between Nate Krawchuk's legs for a 2-1 lead.

Krawchuck was replaced by Markus Vandenberg after 11 saves on 13 shots.

Saginaw's lead was short lived however as Sudbury soon tied the game with 15:33 left in the second period. A David Goyette wrister from the right circle with assists to Nolan Collins and Nick DeAngelis found its way past Andrew Oke's blocker for a 2-2 score.

With 9:05 left in the second period, Saginaw regained the lead. Joey Willis took a shot on goal from the left faceoff circle dot but the puck bounced off his own man, Michael Misa who tried to regain control of the puck. He instead dumped it behind him to Braden Haché for a shot from the left circle. The puck snuck past Marcus Vandenberg's blocker to give the Spirit a 3-2 lead over the Wolves.

Saginaw led Sudbury, 3-2, to end the second period as well as outshot the Wolves 25-15 (15-8 in the second period).

With 10:12 left in the game, Saginaw extended their lead. Sebastien Gervais batted the rebound of a Nic Sima shot out of the air on his backhand past the left shoulder of Vandenberg for a 4-2 lead.

Sudbury soon responded with a goal of their own with just 5:17 left in the game. After receiving a backwards pass from Nathan Villeneuve, Evan Konyen took a long shot after just entering the left faceoff circle. The puck flew into the far-right corner of the goal, just outside of Andrew Oke's reach to bring the Wolves within a goal.

The Spirit hung on despite enormous late pressure from Sudbury, 4-3 in their final game before the holiday break.

The Saginaw Spirit have a week off before taking on the Soo Greyhounds on December 28th at the Dow Event Center. Puck drop is at 7:05 pm.

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

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Saginaw Spirit's Hunter Haight congratulated in win
Saginaw Spirit's Hunter Haight congratulated in win
   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2023


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