OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit, Firebirds Tied in I-75 Divide Cup Series After 6-4 Loss

Published on December 15, 2021 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Flint, MI - The Saginaw Spirit fell Wednesday night to the Flint Firebirds by a final score of 6-4 in front of 1,979 fans at The Dort Financial Center in Flint, MI. Spirit forward Dean Loukus delivered a stand-out performance in the losing effort, scoring a goal and two assists. The Firebirds earned goals from six different scorers in the victory.

Saginaw had dropped the past two games to their rival after winning the opening three contests this season. The Spirit were feeling better about itself after a 5-3 victory Saturday night over the Erie Otters snapped a season-long, four-game losing slide. Captain Camaryn Baber scored first tonight for the visiting Spirit just 1:12 into the game. Baber accepted a cross-seam pass from Loukus and found himself wide open on the left side of the net. His eighth goal of the season was also assisted by Sebastien Gervais. The Firebirds would tie at 13:23 when Gavin Hayes scored his seventh goal of the season off of a rebound of a slap shot from the point by James Petrovski. Just 22 seconds later, the Spirit responded with a Loukus goal from in front of the goal setup by Grand Blanc, MI native Dalton Duhart. Brayden Hislop also drew an assist on the Loukus tally. Saginaw led 2-1 after the first period despite being outshot, 11-7.

Flint gained momentum in the second period off of a couple point-blank saves by overage goaltender Luke Cavallin. Flint would tie the score at 7:53 on a Samuel Assinewai goal. Late in the period, Michael McLean of the Firebirds was assessed a 5:00 major penalty and game misconduct from being the aggressor of a fight with Dalton Duhart of the Spirit. With this chance to take the lead back, it was the Firebird who would do so for the first time in the game. Brennan Othmann stole a pass from Mitchell Smith and scored on a shorthanded breakaway to make it 3-2 Flint. Othmann's goal was his team-leading 20th of the year and first against the Spirit.

In the third, Riley Piercey scored in his seventh straight game to make it 4-2 at 3:41. Just 26 seconds later, the Spirit's Matyas Sapovaliv scored on the man advantage to bring the Flint lead back to one. As the Spirit pressed Flint looking for the goal to tie, it was the Birds who scored at 16:49 on a Zack Terry goal. Again, the Spirit got back to within one goal with a tally by Roberto Mancini with 2:48 left. With the Spirit goal empty, it was Coulson Pitre who filled the net with his ninth goal of the year and fourth against the Spirit to make it 6-4 Firebirds.

The Spirit head home for two games before the 10-day Holiday break, playing the Windsor Spitfires on Friday and the Flint Firebirds on Saturday. Both games from The Dow Event Center begin at 7:05 p.m.

For tickets to any Saginaw Spirit home game fans can call (989) 497-7747, visit saginawspirit.com, or by visiting the Saginaw Spirit Store at 5789 State Street, Saginaw, MI.

Fans with any questions or concerns about fan protocols may call the Spirit at (989) 497-7747 or email info@saginawspirit.com.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 15, 2021


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