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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Fall Despite Late Push in Erie

March 16, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit's Nic Sima and Erie Otters' Owain Johnston on game night
Saginaw Spirit's Nic Sima and Erie Otters' Owain Johnston on game night
(Saginaw Spirit, Credit: Peter Wreschinsky)

Erie, Penn. - The Saginaw Spirit (47-16-1-1) traveled south to take on the Erie Otters (30-28-5-2) at the Erie Insurance Arena on Saturday, March 16th. Josh Bloom scored a pair of goals to extend his game point streak to nine games. Ethan Fraser started in net for the Otters stopping 23 of 27 shots, while Nolan Lalonde saved 31 of 35 shots for the Spirit.

With 13:38 left in the first period, the Erie Otters scored the first goal of the game. Ondrej Molnar passed to Martin Misiak on the right inner hash marks, sending the puck into the right corner of the net to give Erie the lead.

With four minutes left in the first, Saginaw tied the game at one. After collecting a pass from Matyas Sapovaliv, Hunter Haight sent a long shot from the top of the left circle, flying the puck right past Fraser's head into the net. Owen Beck also received an assist on this goal as well, extending his point streak to 17 games.

The first period ended tied at one apiece with Erie outshooting Saginaw 14-7.

Erie managed to take back the lead with 13:43 left in the second period. Kaleb Smith passed to Malcolm Spence who attempted to shoot the puck from the doorstep, but Lalonde shut down the first opportunity. Smith potted the loose puck off the rebound chance to give Erie the 2-1 lead.

With 11:37 left in the second, Josh Bloom scored a game-tying goal with Owen Beck and Zayne Parekh receiving assists. After collecting a pass from Beck, Bloom attempted a shot from the right inner hash marks. Fraser dove for the save but the puck sailed right over him and into the net.

The second period ended at 2-2 with Erie continuing to outshoot Saginaw, 25-17 (10-11 in the second period).

With 14:30 left in the game, the Otters once again regained the lead. Sam Alfano made a cross ice pass to Pano Fimis who smashed a one timer just out of Lalonde's reach. Ty Henry collected an assist on this goal as well.

Not a minute later, the Erie Otters scored another goal to further extend their lead. Malcolm Spence passed to Brett Bressette who then found Alexis Daviault. He quickly fired a shot from the left circle just over Lalonde's shoulder to make the score 4-2 in favor of Erie.

With 7:40 left in the game, the Spirit made it a one goal game. Jorian Donovan attempted a shot on goal but Fraser blocked it with his right pad. Calem Mangone received the rebound and attempted a shot but Fraser again blocked it. Matyas Sapovaliv received the second rebound and jammed the puck into the left bottom corner of the goal to cut Saginaw's deficit to just one.

With 1:47 left in the game, Otters forward Dylan Edwards scored on an empty net to extend Erie's lead.

Josh Bloom would add a powerplay goal in the dying minutes, but that was as close as the Spirit would come.

The Spirit fell to the Erie Otters by a score of 5-4, with Erie outshooting Saginaw 35-27 (10-10 in the third period).

Saginaw's next game will be against the Sarnia Sting on Friday, March 22nd at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena. Puck drop is at 7:05pm.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics




Images from this story

Saginaw Spirit's Nic Sima and Erie Otters' Owain Johnston on game night
Saginaw Spirit's Nic Sima and Erie Otters' Owain Johnston on game night
(Peter Wreschinsky)		   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 16, 2024


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