Mancini Scores Twice; Otters Slip Past Spirit in Overtime
October 15, 2022 – Ontario Hockey League (OHL) – Saginaw Spirit News Release
Erie, Penn. – The Saginaw Spirit (4-2-1-0) lost their first overtime appearance 4-3 Saturday night against the Erie Otters (2-3-0-2) in front of 2,859 fans at the Erie Insurance Arena in Erie, Pennsylvania October 15.
Saginaw looked to continue their winning streak to three games by scoring early in the first period. Josh Bloom did just that at 1:14 in the opening frame after Vegas Golden Knights prospect Matyas Sapovaliv shot the puck from the center of the zone for his ninth point of the season.
The Spirit kept momentum and scored another goal at 2:35 in the first frame. Roberto Mancini scored on a wrist shot after Ian Phillips received the puck after 2023 NHL draft eligible Luke McNamara won the faceoff. The assists to Phillips and McNamara were their first points of their respective seasons.
Erie answered back a few minutes later at 4:33 in the first period. Elias Cohen scored on Erie’s first shot of the game after Carey Terrance passed from the left side of the net. Malcom Spence gave Terrance the puck from behind the net.
Saginaw kept pressure on the Otters with a two-minute possession 13 minutes left in the first frame. The Spirit were unable to convert on the chance.
Halfway through the first period, Saginaw led 2-1 and seemed to have control of the game despite of the goal.
Erie tied the game at 16:53 in the first period. Elias Cohen scored his second of the game unassisted after he stole the puck from a Saginaw player and shot on the glove side of Oke.
At the end of the first, Saginaw and Erie were tied at two, but Erie led shots 7-6.
The start of the second period saw renewed pressure from Erie after tying the game in the previous period.
Saginaw had good pressure four minutes in when they had a two-minute possession and were able to take several shots. They were unable to create any goals on the chance.
Erie took a tripping penalty at 7:50 in the second period, but Saginaw was unable to capitalize on the opportunity and Erie successfully killed the penalty.
With 10 minutes gone in the second period, both teams were unable to add to their goal total. Both Saginaw and Erie had good opportunities through the first ten minutes, but nothing came to fruition.
The Spirit had a great chance seven minutes in when Michael Misa tried to squeeze the puck between Jacob Gibbons’ pad and the post, but he was not faster than the goaltender.
Saginaw was called for a slashing penalty at 18:07 in the second period and took additional penalty with 17 seconds left but escaped the period without a goal scored.
The second period ended with neither team finding additional goals, and shots being tied at 13 apiece.
The third period started with Oke stopping a one-timer attempt with his glove to help kill the two powerplays off.
Momentum shifted back and forth as each team made attempts to score but no goals for the first five minutes of the final frame.
Saginaw took a hooking penalty at 11:12 in the third period, and Oke made several saves to kill the powerplay and keep the game tied.
Saginaw finally broke through and scored their third goal at in the third period. Mancini scores his second on a slapshot from the top of the zone.
Erie quickly tied the game just 18 seconds later at 14:51 into the final frame. Malcom Spence scored after Carey Terrance won the faceoff to tie the game at three.
With time winding down in the third period, Erie kept the pressure on but neither team were able to score. The game headed to overtime, which was the first time this season for Saginaw.
In overtime, Erie continued their pressure with several shots and eventually win the game with a goal at 1:31 in overtime. Malcom Spence scored the game winner on a wrist shot after Christian Kyrou gifted him the puck for his fifth assist this season.
Saginaw was able to secure one point after taking the game to overtime, losing 4-3. The Spirit end the weekend with a 4-2-1-0 record after the overtime loss.
Andrew Oke started for Saginaw in net, making 26 saves on 30 shots. Rookie Jacob Gibbons got the start for Erie, making 16 saves on 19 shots and earning his first career win in the OHL.
The Spirit continue their road trip as they take on the Windsor Spitfires Thursday, October 20, at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ontario. Puck drop is at 7:05 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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