Misa Gets Four Points in Dominant 6-1 Win Over Storm
October 14, 2022 – Ontario Hockey League (OHL) – Saginaw Spirit News Release
Guelph, Ont. – The Saginaw Spirit (4-2-0-0) started their four-game road trip with a 6-1 win against the Guelph Storm (1-3-1-0) Friday night in front of 4,241 fans at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph, Ontario.
Saginaw looked to continue their winning ways against the Storm after winning their season opener against them 10-6. 2025 Draft Eligible Michael Misa scored four goals in the contest.
The game started out with Guelph taking control with consistent possessions throughout the first five minutes of the first period.
The Storm had a few good opportunities early in the period, but Tristan Lennox made several saves in a row including a shot that went flying straight up in front of him with five minutes gone.
Saginaw had a chance on the powerplay after a tripping call at 4:38 in the first and succeeded in scoring. Calem Mangone passed the puck up the right boards to where Joey Willis was waiting. Willis shot at Jacob Oster and the rebound was scooped up by Dean Loukus for his third on the season.
The Spirit got a lucky break when the Storm took an interference penalty after T-bone Codd got called for a check from behind at 7:24 in the first. Neither team scored on the four-on-four opportunity.
Halfway through the first frame, Saginaw looked in control of the game and led 9-8 in shots. The team had several opportunities to score, and the puck was mainly in Guelph’s zone.
Guelph forward Sasha Pastujov took a 5:00 match penalty for slew footing, giving Saginaw a five-minute powerplay and Pastujov an early exit from the game.
The Spirit used this penalty to gain momentum and scored at 13:28 in the first frame. The goal came from overager Theo Hill after Anaheim Ducks prospect Pavel Mintyukov shot the puck at Oster for a rebound. Caleb Mangone netted his second assist in the game on the goal.
Guelph responded almost immediately with a goal of their own at 13:37 in the first frame. Danny Zhilkin got fed a one timer goal from Matthew Poitras who was waiting on the left side.
Saginaw led the game going into the first intermission 2-1 and Guelph led shots, 15-14.
The second period opened with Saginaw successfully killing off a hooking penalty from the previous period. The Spirit didn’t allow a single powerplay goal, killing off seven throughout the game.
The Spirit added to their lead with a goal at 2:17 in the second frame. T-bone Codd gifted 2022 OHL First Overall Draft Pick Michael Misa the puck who passed to his left where Theo Hill was waiting for his second of the game.
Tristan Lennox made an impressive diving save at 6-minute mark to keep Guelph at only one goal.
Halfway through the middle frame, Saginaw had control of the game, leading 3-1. Guelph had the lead in shots, 24-18.
Saginaw piled on the pressure with a two-minute possession that resulted in a goal. PJ Forgione took an impressive wrist shot through several Guelph players after Michael Misa gave him the biscuit.
Guelph took a cross checking penalty at 17:01 in the middle frame, giving the Spirit another chance to score on the power play. Guelph took nine penalties during the game, resulting in two powerplay goals from Saginaw.
Saginaw’s second powerplay goal came shortly after courtesy of Joey Willis. The goal, scored at 17:56 in the middle frame, was set up by Michael Misa for his third assist on the night.
Saginaw commanded the second period, increasing their lead to 5-1 and their lead in shots, 26-25.
The third period opened with more dominance from the Spirit. Both teams committed penalties but neither team was able to convert the opportunities into goals.
Saginaw would add their final tally of the night at 7:18 of the final frame. Michael Misa found the puck in front of the net after T-Bone Codd shot at Dixon Grimes. PJ Forgione gifted Codd with the puck for his second point of the game.
Saginaw continued their dominance halfway into the third period, leading 6-1. The Spirit kept control of the puck and forced the Storm to play defensively for the rest of the game.
Tristan Lennox manned the crease for Saginaw, making 29 saves on 30 shots. Jacob Oster started the game but was replaced by Dixon Grimes in the third period. Oster made 21 saves on 26 shots and Grimes made eight saves on nine shots.
The Spirit closed out the contest by controlling the puck and cruising to a 6-1 win. Saginaw improves to 4-2-0-0 on the year.
Saginaw plays their second away game this weekend as they take on the Erie Otters at the Erie Insurance Arena in Erie, Pennsylvania. Puck drop is at 7:00 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.
• Discuss this story on the Ontario Hockey League message board…
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
