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Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Host Attack on Billet Appreciation Night

February 9, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit (34-13-0-1) will begin a late-season series against the Owen Sound Attack (24-20-3-2) at the Dow Event Center on February 9th.

Tonight's Game:

Puck drop is at 7:05 PM.

Prior to the game, the Spirit will honor the team's billet families in an on-ice ceremony.

Tickets:

Ticketmaster

Phone: (989) 497-7747

In-Person: Saginaw Spirit Store (6321 State St.), Dow Event Center Box Office

Broadcast:

Television: CHL TV, CHL App, OHL Action Pak Ch 469.

Radio: 100.5 FM WSGW, WSGW.com

Last Time:

Saginaw's previous game was a rousing come-from-behind overtime win at home versus the Ottawa 67's on February 4th. The 67's and Spirit traded shots back and forth, with Ottawa leading at the first intermission 2-1. Both teams continued to trade shots on the ice and on the scoreboard, ending the second period with the 67's leading 3-2. Ottawa added a fourth goal early in the third before giving up a pair of Spirit goals late into the third period to send the game to OT where less than a minute in, Saginaw scored the game winner to finish the comeback. Rodwin Dionicio collected four points (2G, 2A) and fellow former Windsor teammate Alex Christopoulos finished with a goal and two assists. Matyas Sapovaliv scored his second consecutive OT-winner and Nolan Lalonde stretched his franchise record win streak to 13 straight games saving 26 of 30 shots.

Owen Sound last played on February 7th when they defeated the Sarnia Sting 6-2 at home. Both teams scored in the first setting up a 1-1 tie into the second period. The Attack scored twice in the second and three times unanswered in the third period enroute to their 24th win of the season. Deni Goure finished with three points (2G, 1A) and Madden Steen notched his third tally of the year. Ethan Burroughs gathered an assist and netted his third shorthanded goal, and Carter George turned away 27 of 29 shots in the win.

Last Season:

Saginaw and Owen Sound played twice last year with both teams winning on the road. The first, a 3-2 Saginaw win at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre saw all the games goals being scored within the second period. Matyas Sapovaliv scored two power play goals and Nic Sima added his sixth of the year to help Saginaw cruise to the win. Cedrick Guindon and Kaleb Lawrence both scored for the Attack with both goals coming unassisted in the second period. Tristan Lennox started for the Spirit knocking down 27 of 29 shots while Owen Sound started Nick Chenard who saved 31 of 34.

The second game on the season's final day, March 26th, found Saginaw and Owen Sound in a scoring bonanza at the Dow Event Center, with the Attack coming out on top 6-4. Owen Sound finished with six different goal scorers, Jackson Stewart finished with two points (1G, 1A), and Matthew Papais collected two assists. Landen Hookey scored the game-winner, and Corbin Votary turned away 19 of 23 shots. Calem Mangone scored twice for Saginaw, Hunter Haight added two assists, and Andrew Oke started between the pipes, stopping 25 of 30 shots.

Players to Watch

The Spirit are led in points and assists by Zayne Parekh, whose 69 points are tied for first among OHL defensemen. His 45 assists are fifth-best in the entire league. Michael Misa's 24 goals lead all Spirit players, including ten powerplay goals. Matyas Sapovaliv continues his highly productive season with seven points over the past five games, including back-to-back overtime winners against Ottawa and Barrie. Both Saginaw goaltenders have been shining stars with Andrew Oke leading Saginaw in all major categories with a 3.05 goals against average, a .889 save percentage (SV%), and the fifth OHL goalie to 20 wins. Nolan Lalonde meanwhile continues to ride a team record 13 consecutive victories.

Owen Sound is led by Deni Goure, whose 69 points and 28 goals place him first in those team categories. Sam Sedley holds sole possession of the Attack's assist lead with 42. Winnipeg Jets prospect Colby Carlow is on a seven-game points streak, amassing 16 points (10G, 6A) since January 21st. Rookie Carter George has continued to show brilliance through the year as he leads the Owen Sound Attack in all major goaltending categories. This includes a 3.04 GAA (fifth in the OHL), a league-best .914 SV%, and 18 wins (tied for tenth in the OHL).

Saginaw currently has ten (10) players tied to the National Hockey League (NHL), including Joey Willis (Nashville), Josh Bloom (Vancouver), Matyas Sapovaliv (Vegas), Hunter Haight (Minnesota), Owen Back (Montreal), Ethan Hay (Tampa Bay), Braden Haché (Florida), Jorian Donovan (Ottawa), Rodwin Dionicio (Anaheim) and Nolan Lalonde (Columbus, FA).

Owen Sound currently has four (4) players tied to the National Hockey League (NHL), including Cedrick Guindon (Montreal), Servac Petrovsky (Minnesota), Colby Barlow (Winnipeg), and Konnor Smith (Anaheim).

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics

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