Spirit Knock Off Previously Unbeaten Sting, 7-4
October 7, 2022 – Ontario Hockey League (OHL) – Saginaw Spirit News Release
Saginaw Spirit’s Josh Bloom celebrates win
(Saginaw Spirit, Credit: Natalie Shaver)
Sarnia, Ont. – The Saginaw Spirit took their first road game against the Sarnia Sting 7-4 Friday night in front of 3,242 fans at Progressive Auto Sales Arena in Sarnia, Ontario.
The game started out with neither team able to get any offense going, as both Sarnia and Saginaw were unable to take a shot on goal in the first five minutes of play. Saginaw took a hooking penalty three minutes in but was able to successfully kill it off.
Saginaw struck first at 5:28 in the first period. Calem Mangone netted his third goal of the season while falling on the left side of the net. Joey Willis came up victorious from a behind the net scrum and passed out front to a waiting Mangone.
A turnover in front of the Saginaw net almost made the game 1-1, but Tristan Lennox was able to act quickly and ice the puck to prevent a goal.
The Spirit scored again at 10:57 in the first frame. Josh Bloom showed his agility by breaking through two Sting players on his way to wrist shot the puck into the net for the goal. Dean Loukus and Pavel Mintyukov were credited with the assists on Bloom’s second goal of the season.
Saginaw added to their lead with a powerplay goal at 18:47 in the first. Dean Loukus scored from a foot away on the powerplay after he was fed the puck from Michael Misa. Zayne Parekh passed to Misa from the top right of the offensive zone to start the play.
Saginaw led the game at the end of the first 3-0, but both teams were tied for shots at six.
The Sting started the second period on the advantage with a powerplay carried over from the end of the first period, however no goals came from the advantage.
Joey Willis had a chance to make it 4-0 when he deked his way past the Sarnia players but was stopped by Ben Gaudreau.
The center redeemed himself shortly after by scoring at 5:13 in the middle frame. Willis intercepted the puck in front of Gaudreau and skated in front of the goalie and out-skated Gaudreau to extend the lead to four.
Lennox defused two close calls at the eight-minute mark with some acrobatics to keep the game at 5-0.
Saginaw scored again soon after at 5:30 in the second period. Matyas Sapovaliv potted the goal on a quick pass to the left side of the net from Mitchell Smith. Josh Bloom passed to Smith from the point to create the scoring opportunity.
The Spirit increased their lead to six with a goal at 11:22 in the second period. Pavel Mintyukov got a no-look pass on the left side for the goal from Dean Loukus to set up his second goal of the season.
Sarnia began to put on the pressure in the final minutes of the second period, but it was Saginaw that took advantage with a one-timer goal. Matyas Sapovaliv accepted the quick pass from Josh Bloom who received the puck from Dean Loukus.
The second period ended with Saginaw extending their lead to 7-0 and leading shots 18 to 13.
Sarnia got on the board after a one-timer shot at 1:14 in the third period. Zach Filak scored his first of the season off a one-timer pass from Angus MacDonnell. Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Ty Voit also drew an assist on the goal.
Lennox faced several shots and stood tall after the goal; however, he was beaten on a breakaway chance from Alexis Daviault. The goal, which was scored at 7:16 of the third period, saw Davuault go one-on-one with Lennox and win by potting the goal on a backhanded shot. Marko Sikic and Nolan Burke were credited with the assists.
Tristan Lennox played the entire game and finished with 22 saves on 26 shots. Ben Gaudreau started the game, but was pulled for Nicholas Surzycia around halfway through the game. Gaudreau made 6 saves on 11 shots, and Surzycia made seven saves on nine shots.
Sarnia closed the gap to four goals with another score at 8:50 in the third period. Easton Wainwright won the faceoff and got the puck back to Ethan Richie who acted fast to put the puck past Lennox for Sarnia’s third.
Lennox lost stick at 7 min mark and was able to make a blocker save to keep the game at 7-3.
With 17 seconds left, Sarnia got their final goal from a one-timer shot at 19:42 of the final frame. Ty Voit dropped to a knee while accepting the pass from Ryan Mast. Zach Filak assisted by setting up the opportunity.
Saginaw held onto the puck after the Sarnia goal to win their first road game of the season, 7-4. Saginaw improves to 2-1-0-0 after their first road game victory.
The Spirit play Saturday, October 8, 2022, as they host the Windsor Spitfires for the first time this season. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster, the Saginaw Spirit Store (6321 State Street), Dow Event Center Box Office, and by phone at (989) 497-7747.
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