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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Frustrated by Piiroinen, Spitfires Defense in 4-1 Loss

November 23, 2019 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw, MI. - The Saginaw Spirit dropped a 4-1 decision to West Division rival Windsor Spitfires in front of 4,036 fans Saturday night at The Dow Event Center on the 13th annual First Responders Night.

Windsor Spitfires goaltender Kari Piiroinen stopped 34 Saginaw Spirit shots for his 10th win of the season.

2019 Saginaw Spirit second round pick Josh Bloom had a scoring opportunity just two minutes into the first period on an odd man rush. Rookie Ethan Cardwell dropped a pass to Jake Goldowski, who sent a cross ice pass over to Bloom near the Windsor hashmarks.  The rookie Bloom's one-timer was denied by a sliding glove save from Spitfires netminder Kari Piiroinen to keep the game scoreless.

After Saginaw overager Reilly Webb was called for hooking, Windsor's top-ranked power play opened the scoring 10:20 into the first period.  Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Tyler Angle chipped a pass to overager Cole Purboo to the left of the Spirit net.  Purboo slapped a bouncing puck by Spirit goaltender Marshall Frappier for his 10th goal of the season, and third in his last two games.

The Spirit responded just 46 seconds later on an individual effort from top 2020 NHL Draft prospect Cole Perfetti.

The Saginaw forward intercepted a pass for a Windsor defenseman in the Spitfires slot and snapped a shot that Piiroinen saved with his pad.  Perfetti collected his own rebound and skated around behind the Spitfires net to wrap the puck around inside the right post for his 10th goal of the season. The goal was Perfetti's third goal in the past two games after the Whitby, Ontario native scored twice in the 5-4 victory over the Owen Sound Attack on Thursday night.

The Spitfires regained the lead just 62 seconds later off an unlucky bounce for the Spirit.  Frappier left the Spirit goal after Windsor's Dylan Robinson dumped the puck into the Saginaw zone.  The puck hit a glass stanchion in the corner and ricocheted right to Kyle McDonald, who fired the puck into the open Saginaw net from the right face-off circle.

Saginaw trailed 2-1 after the first 20 minutes of play and was outshot in the first frame 13-11.

The Spirit had two man-power advantages in the first half of the second period but was unable to convert on the power plays.  Saginaw captain Damien Giroux had the main scoring chance of the second power play.  D.J. Busdeker sent a cross ice pass through Windsor's penalty kill box and the Minnesota Wild prospect Giroux one-timed a shot just wide of the net.

Frappier was tested midway through the second period on a rush from center Daniel D'Amico.  D'Amico used his speed wide into the Saginaw zone and sent a quick wrist shot from the left circle that the Saginaw goaltender snagged with a glove save to keep the Spirit within a goal.

With just over two minutes left in the second frame Belarusian defenseman Ilya Solovyov nearly tied the game for the Spirit.

New York Islanders prospect Cole Coskey sent a pass through a few Windsor defenders into the Windsor slot.  The rookie import Solovyov cut down to the slot from the point and redirected the Coskey pass that just floated high behind the net.

Neither team was able to capitalize on their second period opportunities and Saginaw still trailed 2-1 after 40 minutes of play.

With Jean-Luc Foudy in the box on a hooking penalty, Dallas Stars draft pick Curtis Douglas extended the Spitfires lead with a shorthanded breakaway goal 4:50 into the third period.

The Spitfires center intercepted a pass from Ilya Solovyov inside the Windsor blue-line and flew down the ice.  He fought off a backcheck attempt from Solovyov and snapped a shot over Frappier's left shoulder for his 11th goal of the season.

Windsor captain Luke Boka added to the Spitfires lead with 9:05 on a redirection in front of the Saginaw net.  D'Amico fired a low shot from the left point that the overager Boka tipped over Frappier's blocker into the top shelf of the Saginaw net for the 4-1 Spitfires lead.

Saginaw had an opportunity to cut into the Windsor lead on a delayed penalty with less than a minute left in regulation.  New York Islanders prospect Blade Jenkins patiently stickhandled to the left of the Spitfires net and centered a pass to Coskey in the slot.  The Saginaw right-winger one-timed the puck but was stopped on a sliding glove save from Piiroinen.

Saginaw's power play troubles continued in the game and they were unable to capitalize on six man-power advantages.

Windsor defeated Saginaw 4-1 despite the 35-30 shot advantage for the Spirit.

Applebee's Three Stars of the Game:

Kari Piiroinen (SAG) W, 34 SVS

Curtis Douglas (WSR) G, A +1

Cole Perfetti (SAG) G

The Saginaw Spirit continue the I-75 Divide Rivalry on the road Wednesday, November 27 against the in-state rival Flint Firebirds to start a three-game road swing.  The Spirit dropped the first game against the West Division foe Firebirds 4-1 on home ice back on September 21.  Puck drop from the Dort Federal Event Center in Flint, Michigan begins at 7:00 p.m.

Fans can catch all the action on the flagship WSGW Newsradio 100.5 FM and www.wsgw.com with the voice of Saginaw Spirit hockey Joey Battaino on the call.  "Countdown to Face-off" begins 15 minutes prior to puck drop.

Fans can visit the Buffalo Wild Wings location at 2690 Tittabawassee Road in Saginaw and join the official "Watch Party" for all Spirit away games. Admission is free of charge.

The Spirit return home for a makeup contest Wednesday, December 4 when they host the Midwest Division leading Guelph Storm after the game back on November 2 was postponed due to ice conditions.  Puck drop from the Wendler Arena inside The Dow Event Center begins at 7:05 p.m.

To purchase tickets to any Saginaw Spirit home game call (989) 497-7747, visit www.saginawspirit.com, or visit the Saginaw Spirit Store at 5789 State Street, Saginaw MI.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



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