Spirit Host Bulldogs on Trauma Night
March 18, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release
Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit (35-24-3-2) host the Hamilton Bulldogs (33-28-4-0) Saturday, March 18, at the Dow Event Center.
Tonight's Game:
Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.
Tonight is Saginaw's annual Trauma Night in conjunction with Ascension St. Mary's. Prior to the game, trauma specialists will be fitting children for bike helmets. The Spirit will also be giving away team posters, and fans will have a chance to get them signed by the players after the game.
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. 463
Radio: 100.5 FM WSGW, WSGW.com
Last Time:
Saginaw won 4-3 in overtime over the Kitchener Rangers Friday, March 17, at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Four Saginaw skaters scored a goal, including Mitchell Smith, who scored the game winning goal and earned an assist. Andrew Oke earned a win for the Spirit by stopping 42 of 45 shots faced.
Hamilton lost 3-1 to the Flint Firebirds Friday, March 17, at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan. Florian Xhekaj scored the lone goal while Tristan Malboeuf stopped 40 of 43 Firebirds shots.
This Season:
This is the second and final meeting between these two teams, with Saginaw winning the first meeting on November 19, 5-2. In that game, Michael Misa notched a pair of goals while Calem Mangone added a goal and two assists. Avery Hayes and Jorian Donovan each netted a goal for the Bulldogs.
Players to Watch:
Mitchell Smith has led the way for Saginaw this week, scoring four in his last two games. The captain has 14 goals this season. Dean Loukus' 37 assists are the most of any Spirit skater. Hunter Haight and Loukus share the Spirit point lead with 56 each. Matyas Sapovaliv has the most goals (26) for his team. Tristan Lennox has the best goals against average (GAA) for Saginaw with a 3.15.
Andrew Oke has the highest save percentage (SV%) for the Spirit with .897.
Patrick Thomas has the most assists (37) for Hamilton. Sahil Panwar and Nick Lardis share the lead in points (63) while Lardis holds the lead for goals (36). Tristan Malboeuf holds top goaltending marks for his team, posting a 3.38 GAA and .895 SV%.
Saginaw has three (3) players drafted into the National Hockey League (NHL), including Matyas Sapovaliv (Vegas), Tristan Lennox (New York Islanders), and Hunter Haight (Minnesota).
Hamilton has two (2) players drafted into the NHL, including Artem Grushnikov (Dallas) and Jorian Donovan (Ottawa).
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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 18, 2023
- Rangers Come from Behind to Earn Overtime Road Victory in Owen Sound Saturday - Kitchener Rangers
- Haight Scores 2, Spirit Hold Off the Bulldogs 5-3 - OHL
- Rangers Come from Behind to Earn Overtime Road Victory in Owen Sound Saturday - Kitchener Rangers
- Kulakov Scores in 100th Game in Loss to Guelph - Erie Otters
- Spirit Down Bulldogs 5-3, Have Points in Eight Straight - Saginaw Spirit
- Firebirds Extend Home Win Streak to Eight with 4-3 Win Over London - Flint Firebirds
- Spitfires Fall to the Soo, 8-2 - Windsor Spitfires
- Rangers Visit Owen Sound for Final Meeting Saturday - Kitchener Rangers
- Firebirds Host Knights as Playoff Position Race Heats Up - Flint Firebirds
- Spirit Host Bulldogs on Trauma Night - Saginaw Spirit
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