Misa Scores Twice in 4-3 Defeat to Knights
October 21, 2022 – Ontario Hockey League (OHL) – Saginaw Spirit News Release
London, Ont. – The Saginaw Spirit (5-3-1-0) ended their four-game road trip Friday night with a 4-3 loss against the London Knights (2-4-1-0) in front of 8,942 fans at the Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario.
Underage player Michael Misa scored two goals in tonight’s game, but the Spirit were ultimately beaten. Saginaw played four road games in a row, going 2-1-1-0 in the stretch.
The game started with a slashing penalty from Roberto Mancini 63 seconds into the first period and London trying out their powerplay early. The Knights were unable to score despite two shots on goal.
Saginaw saw themselves on the penalty kill a second time after T-Bone Codd took a hooking penalty at 5:04 but got a break when Logan Mailloux took a tripping penalty to create a four-on-four opportunity at 5:22 in the first period.
Saginaw struck first in the first frame at 9:42 courtesy of Matyas Sapovaliv. Brayden Hislop recovered the puck on the right side of the net and passed to Mitchell Smith who shot the puck from the top of the zone. Sapovaliv deflected the puck into the net for his sixth goal on the year.
Halfway through the first period, the Spirit had momentum in their favor as they lead 1-0. Shots were tied at three apiece.
Tristan Lennox made several saves with six minutes left in the game to help keep the game scoreless. London had the puck in Saginaw’s zone for two minutes during that time.
Shortly after Lennox’s chain of saves, the Spirit got a powerplay goal at 14:50 in the first period. 2025 NHL Draft Eligible Michael Misa scored a powerplay goal after the puck rolled off his stick and passed Brett Brochu for his fifth goal this year. T-Bone Codd passed from the top left side of the zone to Saginaw captain Josh Bloom who gifted the puck to Misa.
Lennox made two more back-to-back saves with two minutes left in the opening period to keep the Knights off the board.
The first period ended with Saginaw leading 2-0 and London leading in shots, 13-7.
The second period started with London taking a shot that hit the crossbar and continue their momentum through the second period.
The Knights had several long possessions through the first five minutes; however, no goals came from the pressure.
Luke McNamara had a chance to score on a wraparound chance but was stopped by Brochu with 12 minutes remaining.
London scored their first of the contest at 9:57 in the second period. Max McCue scored his first of the season after Sam Dickinson shot at Lennox for a rebound. Denver Barkley gave the puck to Dickenson to start the play.
The Knights tied the game at 13:45 in the second frame on a wrist shot. Oliver Bonk got his second goal of the season after Brody Crane gifted him the biscuit from the left side of the zone.
London took the lead at 17:42 in the second frame. Max McCue gets his second point of the night after he tried a wraparound chance but ended up rebounding the puck to Luca Testa who potted the goal.
The second period saw a shift in momentum as London lead the game 3-2 and in
shots, 22-12.
The third period opened with London on the powerplay after Sebastien Gervias took a high sticking penalty at 19:05 of the second period. The Knights were unable to score on the chance.
London extended their lead at 5:38 of the third period. Landon Sim put in a rebounding shot after Ben Bujold shot at Lennox for his first assist on the season.
Saginaw answered back on a wrist shot goal at 6:59 in the third period. Calem Mangone got the puck to the back of the net where Joey Willis was waiting. Willis passed out in front of Brochu where Michael Misa was waiting for his second goal of the game and close the gap to one goal.
Halfway through the third period, London led the game 4-3 and in shots, 23-15.
Tristan Lennox started in net for the Spirt, making 20 saves on 24 shots. Brett Brochu started for the Knights, making 17 saves on 20 shots.
With five minutes left, Saginaw started to pile on some pressure with a two-minute possession, but ultimately were unable to score.
Saginaw pulled Lennox for an extra attacker with 2:50 left in the final frame but were unable to solve Brochu and the Knights.
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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