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Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Sweep East Division Weekend with 7-2 Victory over Frontenacs

January 21, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit center Joey Willis looks for a score against the Kingston Frontenacs
Saginaw Spirit center Joey Willis looks for a score against the Kingston Frontenacs
(Saginaw Spirit, Credit: Spencer Loeb)

Kingston, Ont. - The Saginaw Spirit (29-12-0-1) traveled to Leon's Centre to take on the Kingston Frontenacs (20-21-1-0) on Sunday, January 21st. Alex Christopoulos had a three-point night (2G, 1A). Aidan Castle scored the last goal of the game, his first with the Spirit, to defeat the Frontenacs, 7-2. Nolan Lalonde was the starting goaltender for Saginaw, saving 27 of 29 shots on goal for his personal tenth consecutive win. Mason Vaccari was the starting goaltender for Kingston, saving 19 of 26 shots on goal.

Kingston opened up the scoring with 14:33 left in the first period. Linus Hemström skated straight to Saginaw's net, steering to Nolan Lalondes left at the last minute. Once Hemström got past the goal line he dumped the puck behind him to Gabriel Frasca who tipped the puck in behind Lalonde. Jax Dubois also earned himself an assist on this goal.

With 12 minutes left in the first, Cal Uens was sent to the penalty box for cross checking giving Saginaw their first power play opportunity of the game.

The Spirit capitalized on the power play chance with 11:21 left in the first. After some bumper play between Joey Willis, Calem Mangone and Michael Misa, Misa eventually took a shot from the right faceoff dot. The puck went over Mason Vaccari's shoulder, into the net, tying the game, 1-1.

The first period ended with the game tied, 1-1, with Kingston outshooting Saginaw, 11-10.

Just a minute into the second period, Saginaw received another power play opportunity with Paul Ludwinski was ejected for a check to the head of Rodwin Dionicio. A minute later, Maleek McGowan was sent to the penalty box for tripping, making it a 5-on-3 in favor of the Spirit.

Saginaw broke the tie, scoring on a power play with 16:51 left in the second period. Owen Beck passed to Rodwin Dionicio who then found Alex Christopoulos. Christopoulos, who was already wound up to take a shot, fired the puck between the inner hash marks, sending it right under Mason Vaccari's blocker. This was Saginaw's second power play goal of the game, making it 2-1 in favor of the Spirit.

Christopoulos soon scored his second goal of the game, with 9:08 left in the second. Jorian Donovan skated past multiple defenders to pass the puck behind him to Josh Bloom. Bloom made a long pass to Christopoulos on the left faceoff dot with Christopoulos sending the puck right through Mason Vaccari's body.

With five minutes left in the second, Luke McNamara scored a goal against his former team, his shot from the left circle leaking through Lalonde to bring Kingston with in one.

Saginaw responded, scoring a goal with just 11 seconds left in the second. Josh Bloom made a pass to Zayne Parekh who took a shot from the right faceoff dot. The puck bounced off Mason Vaccari's pads, but Owen Beck batted it in for the 4-2 lead through 40 minutes.

Saginaw added to their lead in the third, scoring with 13:45 left in the game. Ethan Hay made a pass back to Rodwin Dionicio who took the puck past the blueline before finding Hunter Haight. A sharp angle shot over Vaccari's shoulder was his 19th of the year and gave the Spirit a 5-2 lead.

Two penalties were called Saginaw late in the third period. First being on Jorian Donovan for a delay of game with 6:17 left in the game. Will Bishop then received a hooking call giving Kingston a 5v3 power play opportunity.

Saginaw answered with Joey Willis scoring a shorthanded goal on break away. Willis skated in from Vaccari's left, flipping the puck right over his glove to extend the lead to four.

Aidan Castle sealed the deal, smacking a shot through Vaccari to make it 7-2. Josh Glavin and Alex Christopoulos collected the assists on this last second goal with 16 seconds left in the game.

The Saginaw Spirit defeated the Kingston Frontenacs for their third win of the weekend, 7-2 but Kingston outshot Saginaw, 26-29 (6-8 in the third period).

Saginaw will travel to the WFCU Centre to take on the Windsor Spitfires on Thursday, January 25th. Puck drop is at 7:05pm.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics




Images from this story

Saginaw Spirit center Joey Willis looks for a score against the Kingston Frontenacs
Saginaw Spirit center Joey Willis looks for a score against the Kingston Frontenacs
(Spencer Loeb)		   

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