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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Fall to Sting at Home, 3-1

October 28, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Sarnia Sting's Lukas Fischer and Saginaw Spirit's Valentin Zhugin in action
Sarnia Sting's Lukas Fischer and Saginaw Spirit's Valentin Zhugin in action
(Saginaw Spirit)

Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit (4-5-0-1) were defeated by the Sarnia Sting (7-5-0-0) on Saturday, October 28th, by a score of 3-1. Matyas Sapovaliv scored the lone Spirit goal, while Nolan Lalonde stopped 24 of 27 shots. Nicholas Surzycia started in net for the Sting, saving 27 of 28.

An even first period left little on the score sheet. With 6:29 left in the first, Nic Sima was sent to the penalty box for a holding call. This was the first penalty of the night, giving Sarnia a power play opportunity. Saginaw demonstrated their league-best penalty kill, allowing only one shot on goal.

The first period ended scoreless, with an even shot count of 7-7.

Sarnia was the first to strike. 11:11 into the second period, Zach Filak won the face-off in the left circle of Saginaw's zone after an icing call. Sandis Vilmanis then took the puck and skated past three Spirit defenders. Vilmanis took a shot only a few feet away from the net, outwaiting a sprawled out Nolan Lalonde. This goal was unassisted and gave Sarnia a 1-0 lead.

The Spirit were quick to respond, scoring a goal of their own with 3:07 left in the second period. Matyas Sapovaliv skated up ice, making a cross ice pass to Michael Misa. Misa didn't have the puck for long before sending a saucer pass back to Sapovaliv in the slot for a quick shot. The puck blew past Nicholas Surzycia's shoulder and rattled around the top shelf, evening the game at 1-1. Roberto Mancini also was credited with an assist on this goal.

The second period ended tied, 1-1, with Saginaw outshooting Sarnia, 23-19 (11-14 in the second period).

With 7:32 left in the third period, Saginaw received just their second penalty of the night coming from a tripping call on Michael Misa. His additional ten minute misconduct for arguing the call took him out of action for the remainder of the night.

Sarnia took advantage of this power play opportunity. Sandis Vilmanis made a cross ice pass to Marko Sikic who'd then pass to Jacob LeBlanc. LeBlanc rifled a shot 10 feet from the blue line, between the pads of Nolan Lalonde for the go-ahead goal making it 2-1 in favor of the Sting.

With two minutes left in the game, Saginaw pulled Nolan Lalonde, leaving an empty net. Sarnia's Andrew LeBlanc intercepted a Spirit pass and launched the puck from center ice for the two-goal lead.

The Saginaw Spirit would fall to the Sarnia Sting by a score of 3-1 despite a slight shot advantage, 28-27 (9-7 in the third period).

Saginaw's next game will be in Flint against the Firebirds on Sunday, October 29th. Puck drop is at 4:00pm at the Dort Financial Center.

For more information, visitsaginawspirit.comor follow the team onTwitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

For media inquiries, contact Dillon Clark at dclark@saginawspirit.com.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics




Images from this story

Sarnia Sting's Lukas Fischer and Saginaw Spirit's Valentin Zhugin in action
Sarnia Sting's Lukas Fischer and Saginaw Spirit's Valentin Zhugin in action
   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 28, 2023


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