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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Drop Season Finale Against Flint, 3-2 in OT

March 6, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Flint, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit (44-15-1-1) traveled to the Dort Financial Center on Wednesday, March 6th, to take on the Flint Firebirds (27-29-3-1). This was the final installment of this season's Coors Light I-75 Divide Cup series, and a game that Simon Slavicek ended in overtime. Andrew Oke stopped 30 of 33 shots on goal for Saginaw while Nathan Day saved 41 of 43 shots on goal for Flint.

The Firebirds scored the first goal of the game with 1:43 left in the first. Former Spirit defenseman Roberto Mancini intercepted the puck in the slot, firing it immediately past Oke's blocker.

The first period ended with Saginaw down 1-0 to Flint with both teams having 15 shots on goal.

The Saginaw Spirit finally got on the board with 8:45 left in the second period thanks to Anaheim Ducks prospect Rodwin Dionicio. After collecting a pass from Calem Mangone, Dionicio danced with the puck to the left faceoff dot, firing it past Day's glove to even the score.

Just 15 seconds later, Josh Bloom took a shot from the exact same spot Dionicio did, sending the puck this time past Day's blocker. Zayne Parekh and Rodwin Dionicio were both credited with assists on the go-ahead goal.

The Spirit led Flint, 2-1, at the end of the first with Saginaw outshooting Flint 29-26 (14-11 in the second).

With 14:50 left in the game, Roberto Mancini scored his second goal of the game to tie it up at 2-2. After receiving a pass from Matthew Jenken, Mancini fired the puck from the left face off dot, sending it just out of reach of Andrew Oke. Connor Clattenburg also earned an assist on the game-tying goal.

With 3:49 left in the game, Jeremy Martin received a Cross Checking penalty to give Saginaw a power play opportunity. The Spirit were unable to score on this power play chance, sending the game into overtime. Saginaw outshot Flint in regulation 40-31 (11-5 in the third).

With only a few seconds left in OT, Simon Slavicek scored the game winner, firing from the slot, right past Andrew Oke's glove for the 3-2 win. The Spirit end the season series against Flint with a 6-1-1-0 record.

Saginaw will return home to face Kingston at the Dow Event Center on Friday, March 8th. Puck is set to drop at 7:05pm.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 6, 2024


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