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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Tie Franchise Record Nine-Game Win Streak With Victory Over Spitfires

November 26, 2022 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit's Dean Loukus and Michael Misa on game day
Saginaw Spirit's Dean Loukus and Michael Misa on game day
(Saginaw Spirit)

Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit (17-6-1-0) won their straight ninth game as they grabbed a 7-2 win over the Windsor Spitfires (12-6-3-1) Saturday, November 26, in front of 3,202 fans at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw, Michigan.

Five skaters had multiple points, including 2024 NHL draft eligible Zayne Parekh, whohad two goals and two assists in tonight's game. Tristan Lennox made 27 saves on 29 shots for Saginaw, and Joey Costanzo stopped 30 of 37 for Windsor.

The game opened with a Saginaw goal 63 seconds in. Pavel Mintyukov started the play by passing to Calem Mangone at the top of the offensive zone. Matyas Sapovaliv collected and fired the puck towards the net. It deflected off a Windsor skate and into the net for his tenth goal of the season.

The Spitfires tied the game at 6:20 in the first period courtesy of Alex Christopoulos. The winger took a wrist shot from the left wing that leaked past Lennox to even the score. Nicholas DeAngelis passed to Christopoulous from the neutral zone, and Noah Morneau earned an assist on the play.

The Spirit found themselves on the powerplay after Ethan Miedema was called for a check to the head of Olivier Savard at 9:36. Saginaw converted the chance with a goal and retook the lead at 10:39 in the first frame. Michael Misa opened the play by giving the puck to Pavel Mintyukov on the left side of the zone. From there, Zayne Parekh received the puck and potted his fourth goal of the season.

Windsor got a man-advantage after Joey Willis took a holding penalty at 15:56 in the opening period. The Spirit showed off their league-leading penalty kill by keeping the Spitfires off the board.

After a scrum in Saginaw's zone, the Spirit received a powerplay at 18:45 in the opening frame. The man-advantage spanned both the first and second periods.

At the end of the first, Saginaw led the game 2-1 and shots, nine to eight.

The second period started with the Spirit on the powerplay from the previous period and were unable to increase their lead on the chance. However, Saginaw scored shortly after the penalty expired at 1:12. Matyas Sapovaliv skated behind the net to setup a net-front pass to Dean Loukus for his seventh goal of the season. Zayne Parekh earned an assist on the play.

Luke McNamara was called for hooking at 7:58 in the middle period, giving Windsor a powerplay. The Spitfires were unable to score on the chance.

Saginaw got a man-advantage after Michael Renwick was called for slashing at 13:14 in the second frame, but Windsor killed the penalty.

The second period ended with Saginaw up on Windsor 3-1 and with a 25-17 shot advantage.

The third period opened with Mitchell Smith scoring at 2:16. The Saginaw native potted his fifth goal of the season on a wrist shot from the left side after he was given the puck by Calem Mangone. Zayne Parekh earned his second assist of the night on the play.

Saginaw's lead grew to four after a goal at 6:29 in the final period. Luke McNamara found Calem Mangone with a zone-entry pass. Mangone's shot beat Costanzo high to the glove side for his seventh goal of the season.

AJ Spellacy was called for a check to the head of Dean Loukus at 8:33, and Saginaw used the opportunity to score at 9:02 in the final period. Zayne Parekh earned his third point of the night on a wrist shot after Michael Misa passed to him from the left side. Matyas Sapovaliv earned his 16th assist of the season on the play.

After offsetting minors later in the period, Pavel Mintyukov took a wrist shot and potted his 12th goal of the season at 14:57. Roberto Mancini sent him the puck from the near side wall, and Michael Misa earned his 12th assist of the season on the play.

After Cam Gauvreau cross checked a Spitfire into the boards, a fight ensued that ultimately resulted in a Windsor man-advantage. The Spitfires were able to convert the chance at 18:54 in the final frame. Liam Greentree potted his fourth goal of the season after he was fed a one-timer pass from Christopher O'Flaherty.

The game ended in a 7-2 Saginaw victory, and the Spirit improve to 17-6-1-0 on the season. Saginaw led shots, 37-29.

The Spirit find themselves on the road next weekend, with a trip to Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. to visit the Greyhounds on Friday, December 2, at the GFL Memorial Gardens. Puck drop is at 7:07 p.m.

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Images from this story

Saginaw Spirit's Dean Loukus and Michael Misa on game day
Saginaw Spirit's Dean Loukus and Michael Misa on game day
   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 26, 2022


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