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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Vancouver Canucks Prospect DiPietro Earns League-Leading 7th Shutout; Spirit Fall 4-0

March 4, 2018 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


SAGINAW, MI. - On Saturday night, the Saginaw Spirit (27-26-8-0) welcomed the Windsor Spitfires (29-27-3-2) for the third leg of a four-game homestand at The Dow Event Center. In the contest, Windsor exhibited a balanced attack and scored at least once in each period with two goals coming in the final frame. Windsor defenseman Connor Corcoran recorded two assists on the night and Michael DiPietro earned his 7th shutout of the season as the Spitfires secured a 4-0 victory in front of a crowd of 4,816.

In the opening period, Saginaw had a quality scoring opportunity on the very first shift but were denied by the iron as a spinning shot from Nicholas Porco missed the mark. Despite the unsuccessful shot attempt, the Spirit continued to apply pressure, and Marcus Crawford worked two shots through while facilitating puck movement across the initial 20 minutes. With 6:21 remaining in the frame, Windsor nabbed the game's first goal when Tyler Angle gained the offensive zone, deked around a Spirit defender and went top-shelf to put the Spitfires up 1-0. Saginaw outshot Windsor 8-6 in the frame.

During the second stanza, the Spirit quickly committed a minor penalty but were able to successfully burn off the Spitfires' man advantage, bolstering a 14th -ranked Saginaw penalty kill unit in the process. With 5:06 remaining in the period, Mason Kohn nearly scored with an opportunity in the crease but was denied. Immediately after, Windsor raced to the opposite end so quickly that Cole Purboo lost his footing. In the ensuing scramble, the puck slid to Cody Morgan's stick and the Spitfire deposited the puck around Evan Cormier, marking Windsor's second goal of the game. The Spitfires outshot the Spirit in the second period by a 9-7 margin.

In the final frame, Windsor wasted little time in setting up their offensive attack in the Spirit zone. After a Spitfires pass behind the net moved Cormier from side to side, Michigan native Luke Boka scored with a wrap-around attempt, increasing the Windsor lead to 3-0. The Spitfires scored once again with 10:20 remaining in the period when Luke Kutkevicius forced a turnover near center ice which predicated a breakaway for the Windsor forward. Kutkevicius faked a shot initially before the puck slid across the goal line for the Spitfires' 4th goal of the night. Windsor outshot Saginaw 11-3 in the third period.

Applebee's Three Stars of the Game

1. Michael DiPietro (WSR) - W, SO, 20 saves

2. Tyler Angle (WSR) - GWG

3. Connor Corcoran (WSR) - 2A

The Saginaw Spirit (27-26-8-0, 62 points, 4th in West Division) will host the Sudbury Wolves (15-37-8-0, 38 points, 5th in Central Division) on Sunday, March 4th, 2018 at The Dow Event Center. The puck drops at 5:30 p.m. It's the final Covenant Kids Day of the season. $5 tickets are available for children 12 and under.

For tickets and more information:

Reserve your seat at The Dow Event Center by calling (989) 497-7747 or visit www.saginawspirit.com for more information. YOUR Region. YOUR team. YOU'RE invited.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 4, 2018


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