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Saginaw Spirit

Three Power Play Goals Give Saginaw 5-2 Victory Over Guelph

January 13, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit's Owen Beck congratulated by team
Saginaw Spirit's Owen Beck congratulated by team
(Saginaw Spirit, Credit: Eric Young)

Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit (26-12-0-1) returned home to the Dow Event Center to defeat the Guelph Storm (23-15-2-1) by a score of 5-2 on Saturday, January 13th. The Spirit scored three power play goals and a shorthanded tally from Owen Beck. Nolan Lalonde stopped 17 of 19 shots for the Spirit while Brayden Gillespie started for the Storm and stopped 32 of 37.

With 11:48 left in the first period, the Spirit scored the first goal of the night. After receiving a pass from Sebastien Gervais, Jorian Donovan took a shot on goal from the right dot, with the puck bouncing off Brayden Gillespie's pads to Zayne Parekh. Parekh took the puck out and rifled a shot behind the outer hash marks of the right circle. The puck slipped past a scrambling Gillespie's skates for the 1-0 lead.

Calem Mangone was called for slashing with 10 minutes left in the first, giving Guelph a power play opportunity. Jake Karabela deflected home a Michael Buchinger point shot to even the game at 10:49.

With 5 minutes left in the first, Guelph's Jett Luchanko was sent to the penalty box for slashing. Then, with 3:33 left in the first, Guelph received another penalty. This one on Charlie Paquette for delay of game, making it a 5-on-3 power play opportunity for Saginaw.

With 3:15 left in the first, Saginaw finally broke the tie on a power play goal. Zayne Parekh and Owen Beckpassed the puck back and forth with Parekh eventually firing a shot between the faceoff circles. The puck blazed past Brayden Gillespie's blocker for the 2-1 Saginaw lead.

The first period ended with Saginaw leading Guelph, 2-1. The Spirit also outshot the Storm, 23-7.

Michael Misa was called for a high sticking double minor and was sent to the penalty box with 5:36 left in the second.

However it was Saginaw's Owen Beck who stole the puck away from Max Namestnikov in the neutral zone and turned on the jets up ice. Beck took a shot on goal just a few feet in front of Brayden Gillespie, sending the puck right between his legs. This unassisted short handed goal extended Saginaw's lead to 3-1, and was the eventual game-winner.

With 3:52 left in the second period, Jett Luchanko, who sat behind Saginaw's goal, passed to Braeden Bowman on the right faceoff dot. Bowman quickly fired a shot past Nolan Lalonde's blocker into the net, cutting Guelph's deficit to 3-2. Max Namestnikov also picked up an assist on the power play goal.

Saginaw led Guelph, 3-2, heading into the third period as well as outshooting the Storm 28-13 (5-6 in the second period).

Jake Karabela was sent to the penalty box for roughing early in the third period. This opened up a Saginaw power play opportunity that saw Rodwin Dionicio scoring only a minute later. Dionicio, after receiving a drop pass from Michael Misa, fired the puck from the slot over Brayden Gillespie's shoulder into the net. Josh Bloom was also credited with an assist.

Michael Misa received another penalty, this one for interference with 8:11 left in the game. As soon as Misa returned to play, Guelph's Vilmer Alriksson was sent to the penalty box for tripping.

With 3:51 left in the game, Saginaw scored their third power play goal of the night. Owen Beck passed to Zayne Parekh who then found Hunter Haight. He fired from the left faceoff dot, sending the puck right between Brayden Gillespie's armpit. This power play goal gave the Spirit a 5-2 victory over the Storm with Saginaw also outshooting Guelph 37-19 (9-6 in the third period).

The Spirit next head on the road, taking on the Ottawa 67's at the TD Place on Friday, January 19th. Puck drop is at 7:00pm.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics




Images from this story

Saginaw Spirit's Owen Beck congratulated by team
Saginaw Spirit's Owen Beck congratulated by team
(Eric Young)		   

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 13, 2024


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