Sports stats

OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Struck by Storm in Shootout 4-3

February 5, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


GUELPH, ONT. - On Friday night, the Saginaw Spirit travelled to the Sleeman Centre for the fourth and final matchup of the season against the Guelph Storm. The Spirit and Storm split the series, as Nicolas Sicoly secured a 4-3 shootout victory for the Guelph Storm over the Saginaw Spirit.

It took 29 seconds into Friday night's contest for the Saginaw Spirit to open the game's scoring and take a 1-0 lead over the Guelph Storm. On the Spirit's second shot of the evening, Kris Bennett beat Michael Giugovaz top-shelf on his career-high 16th goal of the season. Brady Gilmour was credited with the lone assist on the play. The Storm retaliated at 2:49, as Luke Burghardt tied the game at one goal apiece. The rest of the period remained scoreless, as Evan Cormier and Michael Giugovaz stood tall to keep the score held 1-1. Guelph outshot Saginaw 14-13 in the first period.

Guelph jumped out to a 2-1 lead over the Spirit, as Nicolas Sicoly scored shorthanded 29 seconds into the middle frame. Tensions flared midway through the second when Saginaw's Will Petschenig and Guelph's Givani Smith dropped the gloves and were issued five minute fighting penalties. The Storm's one-goal lead held until 16:50, as Marcus Crawford ripped a shot from the point to tie the game 2-2. Hayden Hodgson and Kris Bennett picked up the assists on the play. Shots in the second period favored the Spirit, 12-9.

The Spirit took an early third period lead, as Artem Artemov set up Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Mitchell Stephens to give the Spirit a 3-2 lead on his 10th goal of the season. Guelph sought out a scoring opportunity, as Saginaw's Connor Brown was whistled for a questionable check to the head. The Storm capitalized as Matthew Hotchkiss snuck in a deflection set up by C.J. Garcia to tie it 3-3. The game went into overtime to settle the 3-3 tie, with each team eying a win.

The game was sent into a shootout as Evan Cormier and Michael Giugovaz stood tall through five minutes of three-on-three overtime. Nicols Sicoly netted the only goal in the shootout to secure a 4-3 win over the Saginaw Spirit. Final shots on goal favored the Storm, 41-40.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 5, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Saginaw Spirit Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central