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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Veterans Lead Spirit Past Firebirds, 4-2

November 12, 2021 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Flint, MI - Behind two goals from captain Cam Baber, the Spirit knocked off the Flint Firebirds for the third straight time this season and the 10th straight time at The Dort Financial Center with a 4-2 decision.

The Spirit set out Friday night looking to score the game's first goal for the only third time this season. After a lengthy flurry in the Flint zone, it was overage Nick Wong who gave Saginaw the 1-0 lead with his fifth goal of the season at 3:42. Wong was set up by rookie Luke McNamara and second-year defenseman Roberto Mancini. The Spirit kept the pressure on in the period, but their attempts to pad their lead were stopped by Firebirds overage goalie Luke Cavallin. They settled for a 1-0 lead after one period, despite outshooting Flint, 15-8.

A late first period penalty to Pacey Schlueting carried over to the middle frame and just 27 seconds into the period, T-Bone Codd was called for tripping. With a 60 second, five-on-three advantage, Saginaw stood tall. The scored remained 1-0, but the Spirit would again be penalized at 3:21. Zacharie Giroux would get loose in front of the net tie the game for Flint at 3:28 of the period on the power play. Just 32 seconds later, Sahil Panwar scored his first goal of the season to put Flint in the lead. The Spirit would regroup and captain Camaryn Baber tied the game at 9:37 after following up a point shot by Mitchell Smith. The Spirit and Firebirds would head to their dressing rooms tied going into the final frame.

Just 1:58 into the third, Baber scored his second goal of the game on a snipe into the top corner of the net past Cavallin. PJ Forgione and Dalton Duhart earned assists on Baber's second goal of the game. As the period progressed, New York Islanders prospect Tristan Lennox made numerous stops to keep Saginaw in their lead. Lennox stopped Brennan Othmann on a breakaway late in the period, that seemed to provide the spark the Spirit needed to preserve the victory. Buffalo Sabres prospect Josh Bloom extended his point streak to a season-long eight games with an empty net goal at 18:35 from Dean Loukas and Roberto Mancini. Mancini earned his first multi-point game in his OHL career with a two-point performance. Lennox made 23 saves in goal for the Spirit, en route to the 4-2 road victory.

The Spirit are back home for two games this weekend beginning Saturday night, November 13 against the Sarnia Sting at 7:05 p.m. It's Military Appreciation Night presented by Bay City Elks Lodge 88. All active Military and veterans will receive a free ticket courtesy of Netsource One, Causley Trucking, and Great Lakes Bay Veterans Coalition. Sunday, the Spirit host the Kitchener Rangers at 5:30 p.m. for Robotics Night presented by Hemlock Semi-Conductor. Local area Robotics teams will be invited to the game to show off their Robot building talents and a robot will drop the ceremonial first puck. For tickets and more information, visit saginawspirit.com

For tickets to any Saginaw Spirit home game fans can call (989) 497-7747, visit saginawspirit.com, or by visiting the Saginaw Spirit Store at 5789 State Street, Saginaw, MI.

Fans with any questions or concerns about fan protocols may call the Spirit at (989) 497-7747 or email info@saginawspirit.com.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 12, 2021


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