Spirit’s Three Power Play Goals Lead to 5-2 Victory over Wolves
October 9, 2022 – Ontario Hockey League (OHL) – Saginaw Spirit News Release
Saginaw Spirit celebrate after a goal against the Sudbury Wolves
(Saginaw Spirit, Credit: Eric Young, Saginaw Spirit)
Saginaw, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit (3-2-0-0) wrapped up their two-game home stand Sunday night with a win against the Sudbury Wolves (2-3-0-0) 5-2 in front of 1,735 fans at The Dow Event Center in Riverfront Saginaw, Michigan.
The contest started with both teams making shots, but no points were added to the board. Saginaw showed some pressure three minutes into the first period when they held the puck in Sudbury’s zone for over a minute, resulting in a few shots but no score.
Saginaw continued to add on the pressure when they had another long possession eight minutes into the first period. They were unable to convert the opportunity into a goal.
The Spirit applied more pressure as Michael Misa and PJ Forgione swatted at the puck but was denied by Nate Krawchuk, who made his OHL debut in goal for the Wolves this evening, as the period was halfway over.
Saginaw had a chance to score when Quentin Musty took a tripping penalty at 14:16 in the first frame. No goal was scored on the chance.
Musty redeemed himself after the penalty and scored at 18:32 in the first frame. Seattle Kraken prospect David Goyette skated the puck from the right side and gifted Musty with the puck in the center of the zone. Tristan Lennox was unable to glove the puck as it went passed him for the goal.
The first period ended with Sudbury leading 1-0 and with Saginaw leading shots, 9-8.
The second period started with renewed pressure from the Spirit. The Wolves committed a tripping penalty at 4:29 in the second period, and they scored making it 1-1 at. Anaheim Ducks Prospect Pavel Mintyukov got his fourth goal of the season on a wrist shot at the top of the zone after being fed the puck from Calem Mangone. Zayne Parekh started the play and passed to Mangone.
Saginaw got a great chance to score on a slew foot, match penalty from Nick DeGrazia and made the best of it by scoring twice. The first goal was scored by Josh Bloom at 10:10 in the second frame. Vegas Golden Knights Prospect Matyas Sapovaliv passed to Pavel Mintyukov on the right side of the zone, who later gave Bloom the biscuit in the center to take the lead.
The second goal was scored by Dean Loukus at 12:03 in the middle frame. Loukus scored the game winner when he was waiting next to the net. Calem Mangone gave him the puck from the right side of the zone and 2023 Draft Eligible Joey Willis set up the play by skating on the left side and passing to Mangone.
Saginaw took an elbowing penalty at 13:46 in the second period and were able to keep the Wolves from scoring.
The Spirit committed a tripping penalty at 18:21 in the middle frame and carried the penalty over into the third period. Saginaw led the game in score, 3-1 and in shots, 21-16.
The next few minutes saw both teams try to increase the score but no avail.
However, Saginaw finally broke through and made it 4-1 at 7:13 in the final frame. Joey Willis potted his fourth when 2025 Draft Eligible Michael Misa gave him the puck from the neutral zone.
Sudbury attempted to pull Krawchuk but were unable to get him off the ice before Pavel Mintyukov scored on the open at 15:41 in the third period. The goal is Mintyukov’s second of the game, and extended the lead to 5-1.
Sudbury got their second of the game courtesy of David Goyette at 18:05 of the final frame. Quentin Musty shot at Tristan Lennox from the left side for a rebound and Musty shot on the open right side for the Wolf’s second goal of the game.
Tristan Lennox manned the crease for Saginaw, making 21 saves on 23 shots. Nate Krawchuk played for Sudbury, making 27 saves on 32 shots.
The game ended with Sudbury pulling their goalie and Saginaw trying to get an empty net but being unable to score. The game ended with the Spirit on top with a final score of 5-2 and shots 32-23 favoring Saginaw.
The Spirit go on the road next as they play the Guelph Storm at Sleeman Centre Friday, October 14. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.
Saginaw returns home Saturday, October 22, as they host The London Knights at The Dow Event Center in Riverfront Saginaw, Michigan. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m. and 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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