Spirit Fall in Final Road Contest, 7-1
Published on April 15, 2022 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release
Sarnia, Ont. - The Saginaw Spirt (23-43-1-0) fell by a 7-1 score to the Sarnia Sting (27-35-4-1) Friday night in front of 3,933 fans at Progressive Auto Sales Arena in Sarnia, Ontario.
The Spirit were trying to spoil the Sting plans of clinching a playoff spot this evening with a Sarnia win and an Erie loss. It was the Sting would find their stride early when Defenseman Ethan Ritchie connected on a stretch pass to Angus MacDonnell to send him in on a breakaway. MacDonnell scored his 10th goal of the season and fourth of the season against Saginaw, on the back hand to give the Sting a 1-0 lead at 4:23. Saginaw was all over the Sting goal the rest of the way in the first period, but could not solve Ben Gaudreau. The San Jose Sharks prospect stopped all 13 shots Saginaw put on and the Sting held on to the 1-0 lead after 20 min.
The Spirit were looking to maintain their momentum in the middle frame, but fell victim to a goal from Sarnia overage forward Nolan DeGurse for 20th of the season. The Spirit tried to break up the rush, but it ended up being a two-on-one for the Sting. DeGurse's 20th of the season made it 2-0. Just 51 seconds later, Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Ty Voit lit the lamp for his 25th goal of the season unassisted. Soon after, the Spirit had a great opportunity to open their scoring on a five-on-three man advantage, but could not break through. Again, it was the Sting to score next at 12:15 when Max Namestnikov scored his first goal since Mar. 20, a span of 11 scoreless games. DeGurse and Voit earned the assists at 12:15. Then with the Sting on a five-on-three power play, Alexis Daviault scored unassisted on a goal mouth scramble in front on Spirit goaltender Brett Fullerton. With the period winding down, the Spirit came to life on a goal from Brayden Hislop at 17:24. Mitchell Smith took the initial shot, which created a rebound for Ethan Klein to pump another shot on goal that Gaudreau flexed off the glass and high in the air, it bounced off the glass and back out front to be batted in by Hislop for his fifth goal of the season. Shots on goal in the second favored Sarnia, 14-12, and the score was 5-1 after two periods.
In the third period, Andrew Oke took over in goal for the Spirit. His presence did not do much to change the tides on this night. The Sting would score twice, 36 seconds apart on a hat trick goal for Ty Voit and the 29th goal of the season for Nolan Dann. The final score tonight was 7-1 in favor of the Sting, who take the eight game, season-series with the Spirit, five games to three.
Saginaw wraps up their 20th season Saturday night, hosting the London Knights for overager night. The Spirit will honor graduating players Dalton Duhart and Nick Wong in a pregame ceremony, as well as current London Knight and former Spirit Camaryn Baber. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2022
- Spirit Fall in Final Road Contest, 7-1 - Saginaw Spirit
- Firebirds Fall 6-3 to Greyhounds in Chippy Friday Night Tilt - Flint Firebirds
- Rangers Come up Short to Storm in Overtime - Kitchener Rangers
- Bulldogs Finish Home Half with 50th Victory - Brantford Bulldogs
- Spitfires Fall to the Otters 3-2 in OT - Windsor Spitfires
- Erie Snaps Windsor 13-Game Streak, Eye Playoff Bid against Hamilton - Erie Otters
- IceDogs Outdistanced by Hamilton - Niagara IceDogs
- 2022 OHL Playoff Tracker: First Round Schedules and Scenarios - OHL
- Firebirds Host Greyhounds Friday and Saturday to Conclude Regular Season - Flint Firebirds
- Spirit Travel to Sarnia for Final Road Game of Season - Saginaw Spirit
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