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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Fall 6-4 to Attack to Close Regular Season

March 26, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw, Mich. - In their final game of the regular season, the Saginaw Spirit (36-27-3-2) lost 6-4 to the Owen Sound Attack (33-28-6-1) Sunday, March 26, at the Dow Event Center.

Calem Mangone scored two goals while Hunter Haight earned two assists for the Spirit. Andrew Oke got the start for Saginaw, stopping 25 of 30 shots faced. Six different Attack skaters scored a goal in the game. Corbin Votary manned the crease for Owen Sound, stopping 19 of 23 shots.

The game began with Owen Sound opening scoring at 4:56. Jackson Stewart passed to James Petrovski in front of Oke. The defenseman ripped a shot under the goaltender's glove for his fourth of the season.

The Attack made it 2-0 with a goal at 7:32 in the first period. Teddy Sawyer received a pass from Matthew Papias, and he took a slap shot. The puck went under Oke's blocker, and the defenseman netted his third of the season.

Saginaw went on the penalty kill after Josh Glavin was called for boarding at 9:26 in the first frame. The chance was cut short due to Ethan Burroughs taking a hooking call at 11:09. Just after the Spirit penalty expired, Saginaw capitalized on the powerplay with a tally at 11:31. Michael Misa gave Hunter Haight the puck in the Attack's zone. Calem Mangone received it next, and he sent a backhanded shot past Votary for his 17th of the season.

The Spirit tied the game at two apiece with a score at 12:18 in the opening period. Hunter Haight got the puck from Mitchell Smith at the top of the zone. Calem Mangone accepted a pass from Smith, and he rifled a shot at Votary. The goaltender attempted to glove the puck down but missed, which gave Mangone his second of the game.

A few minutes later, Saginaw took the lead at 14:46 in the opening frame. Luke McNamara received a pass from Ian Phillips behind the net. The center sent a one-timer pass to Lincoln Moore and he jammed the puck past Votary for his seventh of the season.

Owen Sound went down a skater after James Petrovski went to the box for holding with 21 seconds remaining in the period. The Spirit could not score on the chance.

At the end of the first period, Saginaw led 3-2 despite an eight to six Attack shot advantage.

The second period started with Owen Sound down a skater after Landen Hookey committed a cross check at 2:37. Saginaw could not score on the chance.

Landen Hookey was called for tripping at 8:15 in the second frame, giving Saginaw a man-advantage. The Attack held off the extra pressure successfully.

A few minutes later, the Attack went back on the penalty kill after Jackson Stewart took a hooking call at 11:22 in the middle period. Saginaw could not score on the chance.

Owen Sound tied the game at three apiece with a tally at 15:06 in the middle frame. Thomas Chafe found a gap between Oke's stick and pad for his fifth of the season.

After 40 minutes of play, both teams had three goals apiece despite a 15-12 Saginaw shot lead.

The third period opened with Saginaw on the penalty kill after James Guo committed a check to the head penalty at 2:11. Owen Sound could not take the lead on the chance.

Saginaw regained the lead at 8:28 in the third frame. PJ Forgione accepted a pass from Lincoln Moore at the top of the left circle. The defenseman wristed a shot under Votary's blocker for his seventh of the season.

Owen Sound tied the game at four with a tally at 9:49 in the final period. Sam Sedley beat a Saginaw skater and took a shot at Oke. The goaltender turned it aside but Jackson Stewart collected the puck and netted it past for his eighth of the season.

The Attack took the lead at 15:33 in the final frame. Landen Hookey scored his 15th of the season after he recovered a shot from Ben Cormier. Nolan Seed earned an assist on the play.

The Spirit got caught with too many men on the ice at 16:46 in the third period. The Attack were unable to score on the chance.

After going on the powerplay and pulling Oke, Saginaw was unable to score another goal as Owen Sound potted a shorthanded empty-net goal courtesy of Ethan Burroughs.

At the end of the game, The Attack won 6-4 while holding a 41-23 shot advantage. With the loss, Saginaw finishes the regular season with a 36-27-3-2 record.

The Spirit now turn their attention to a first-round meeting with the Flint Firebirds in the quest for their first OHL Championship. Game one is Thursday, March 30, at the Dow Event Center. Puck drop is at 7:05 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.

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