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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Fall to Windsor Despite Late Comeback

January 12, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Windsor, Ont. - The Saginaw Spirit (24-12-2-0) fell 7-4 to the Windsor Spitfires (24-9-3-1) despite a late comeback Thursday, January 12 at the WFCU Centre. Three unanswered goals just minutes apart late in the second period and early in the third saw Saginaw reel in Windsor to just one goal, but they were unable to score as Windsor potted two more before the game was done.

Alternate Captain Dean Loukus scored two goals and Calem Mangone earned two assists for the Spirit in tonight's loss. Tristan Lennox got the start for Saginaw, making 23 saves on 29 shots. Joey Costanzo earned a win for Windsor, stopping 22 of 26.

The game started with Saginaw on the powerplay after Colton Smith was ejected for slewfooting at 6:06. Despite the lengthy penalty, the Spitfires were able to fend off the Spirit.

Shortly after the penalty expired, Windsor struck first at 11:39 in the opening period. Matthew Maggio sent a pass to his left through a Saginaw skater to Rodwin Dionicio. The defenseman then gave Brett Harrison the puck to Lennox's right where he potted his 18th goal of the season.

The Spitfires got their first man-advantage after Sebastien Gervais took a hooking penalty at 16:26 in the first frame. Windsor needed less than 30 seconds to convert the powerplay into a goal at 16:51. Rodwin Dionicio started the play by passing to newly acquired Shane Wright in the neutral zone. Matthew Maggio received the puck next and rifled a shot past Lennox's stick for his team leading 29th goal of the season.

At the end of the first period, Windsor led 2-0 despite a 10-7 shot advantage for Saginaw.

The second period opened with the Spitfires adding to their lead just 78 seconds in. Liam Greentree took a shot at Lennox's crest, but Jacob Maillet was able to recover the puck and put it in between the goaltender's pads for his 12th goal of the season.

Saginaw got their first goal of the game at 5:03 in the middle period. Dean Loukus earned an unassisted goal after a shot went past Costanzo and landed just outside the line. The Michigan native earned his 13th goal of the season on the play after he pushed the puck past the line into the back of the net.

The Spitfires answered back at 13:49 in the second frame. Brett Harrison scored his second of the game after he put the puck between his legs and scored on a between-the-legs backhanded goal. Noah Morneau and Anthony Christoforo earned assists on the play.

Windsor made it 5-1 after a goal at 17:50 in the middle period. AJ Spellacy received a pass from Oliver Peer and took a wrist shot that Lennox was unable to fully stop as it slid past the goaltender for his seventh goal of the season. Rodwin Dionicio earned his third assist of the game on the play.

Saginaw cut the lead to three by scoring with 38 seconds remaining in the second period. Calem Mangone and Joey Willis skated in on a 2-on-1. Mangone found Willis in the left-wing circle, and the rookie made it 5-2 to end the period.

The third period started with a Saginaw goal just 39 seconds in. Hunter Haight started the play by giving Michael Misa the puck, who was next to the net on the left side. Dean Loukus received it next, potting his 14th goal of the season.

The Spirit scored their third straight goal to close the gap to just one at 5:18 in the third frame. Matyas Sapovaliv started the play with a shot at Costanzo from the right side. Calem Mangone grabbed the rebound, and passed behind the net to Olivier Savard. From there, the defensemen banked the puck off of Costanzo's back for his second goal of the season.

Windsor got another man-advantage after Roberto Mancini was called for holding at 8:20 in the final period. Saginaw was able to kill off the chance despite several shots.

The Spitfires were able to find another goal with 57 seconds left in the final frame. Oliver Peer skated around the back of the net and got Michael Renwick the puck on the right side. The defenseman ripped a shot past Lennox for his 11th goal of the season.

With time running out, Saginaw called Lennox to the bench with less than 60 seconds left, only for Shane Wright to score an empty net goal and make it 7-4 Windsor. Brett Harrison earned an assist on the play.

The Spitfires finished the game on top with a 30-26 shot advantage and a 7-4 win. The Spirit fall to 24-12-2-0 on the season and are 2-3 against Windsor this year.

Saginaw hosts the Windsor Spitfires Saturday, January 14, 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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