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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Fall to Greyhounds Despite Two Goals from Willis

January 31, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit's Joey Willis in action
Saginaw Spirit's Joey Willis in action
(Saginaw Spirit, Credit: Eric Young)

Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit (32-13-0-1) fell to the Soo Greyhounds (32-12-2-1) on Wednesday, January 31st, to the Dow Event Center. A total of five power play goals were scored during the game with two coming from Calem Mangone and Joey Willis. Andrew Oke stopped 29 of 34 shots for the Spirit while Charlie Schenkel stopped 21 of 24 shots for the Greyhounds.

With 16:16 left in the first, the Soo Greyhounds suffered their first penalty of the night with Gavin Hayes being called for tripping. Saginaw capitalized with Calem Mangone depositing the puck right between Schenkel's legs. Michael Misa and Matyas Sapovaliv were both credited with the assist on this power play goal.

The first period ended with Saginaw leading the Soo 1-0 and holding a 9-8 shot advantage.

With 14:02 left in the second, Saginaw scored their second power play goal of the night. After receiving a pass from Owen Beck, Rodwin Dionicio passed to Joey Willis who took a shot just inside the right faceoff circle. The puck slipped between Schenkel's legs to give the Spirit a 2-0 lead.

With 3:25 left in the second, Joey Willis scored his second goal of the night. James Guo passed to Rodwin Dionicio who took a shot just a few feet from the blueline. The puck bounced off Schenkel's mask to Willis who quickly swatted it into the net.

With 1:20 left in the second, the Greyhounds capitalized on a powerplay goal with Jorian Donovan in the box for interference. Bryce McConnell-Barker's 14th of the year got the goose egg off the board for the Soo.

Saginaw remained in the lead, 3-1 going into the final period but the Greyhounds outshot the Spirit 20-21 (11-13 in the second period).

The third period started at 4-on-4. Both Owen Beck and Brodie McConnell-Barker were serving roughing penalties from the previous period. A minute into the third, it became a 4-on-3 power play opportunity for the Soo with Rodwin Dionicio receiving a tripping call. The Greyhounds soon took advantage when Arttu Karki one-timed a shot from the right circle, bringing his team to within a goal.

With 17:43 left in the game, Travis Hayes scored an unassisted goal to tie the game at three apiece. Hayes picked the puck up off a far wall scrum and shot it through Oke to even the score at 3-3.

With 9:24 left in the game, the Soo Greyhounds broke the tie and took the lead, their first of the night. Gavin Hayes skated past multiple Saginaw defenders before flipping the puck right behind Oke. Bryce McConnell-Barker and Marco Mignosa both received assists on this go-ahead goal.

In the final minutes of the game, Jordan D'Intino added a powerplay goal to set the 5-3 final score.

Saginaw will remain at home to take on the Barrie Colts on Saturday, February 3rd, at the Dow Event Center. Puck drop is at 7:05pm.

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Images from this story

Saginaw Spirit's Joey Willis in action
Saginaw Spirit's Joey Willis in action
(Eric Young)		   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2024


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