Misa Picks up Two Points; Spirit Drop Preseason Opener to Bulldogs
September 3, 2022 – Ontario Hockey League (OHL) – Saginaw Spirit News Release
Saginaw, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit would start their preseason Saturday facing off against the Hamilton Bulldogs at a neutral site game in Erie, Pennsylvania. Despite two assists from Michael Misa, the Spirit fell to the defending OHL Champion Bulldogs, 5-3.
The Spirit opened scoring in the game with a goal from Lincoln Moore with three minutes gone. He was assisted by Bode Stewart, and would put the Spirit in an early lead over Hamilton.
The Bulldogs would answer back with an unassisted goal from Noah Van Vliet. The defender would skate on the left side of Saginaw Goalie Tristan Lennox and bury the puck in the net with a backhander about halfway through the first.
The first period would end at a 1-1 tie, with both teams seeming evenly matched. Hamilton outshot the Spirit 11-6 in the opening frame.
Saginaw would take the lead again with a power play goal from Luke McNamara with three minutes gone in the second period. Michael Misa, first overall draft pick from this year’s draft, would set up a one-timer for McNamara, and would score his first OHL point. Carson Christy would help set up the goal by passing the puck to Misa.
Just over a minute later, Hamilton would tie the game at 2-2 with a score by Florian Xhekaj. His teammate and Ottawa Senators prospect Jorian Donovan would grab the puck and pass it to Braeden O’Keefe who set up the one-timer pass to Xhekaj for the goal.
David Egorov would make his first OHL start earning a win, making 29 saves on 32 shots. Tristan Lennox played well despite the loss, making 18 saves on 23 shots.
Hamilton would take the lead with six minutes into the period with a goal from Logan Morrison with six minutes gone in the second period. This was his first goal in the preseason after putting up 100 points during the 2021-22 regular season.
The Bulldogs would extend their league with a goal from Avery Hayes. He would be assisted by Cole Brown at 9:05 of the second frame.
Avery Hayes would score again for the first goal in the third period seven minutes in. Logan Morrision won the faceoff and got the puck back to Hayes, who would toe drag in front of Lennox and fire the puck through him.
The final goal would be scored by Saginaw Spirit forward and Michigan T-Bone Codd. Much like the previous goal scored by Hayes, center Michael Misa would win the faceoff and get the puck to Codd. He would skate across the front of the net and put the puck in between Egorov’s legs.
Saginaw would pull their goalie but was unable to pull any close to the Bulldogs, who swept the two games this weekend against the Otters and the Spirit.
The Spirit play again in Erie Sunday at 2:00 p.m. against the Erie Otters. Saginaw will host the Soo Greyhounds Friday, September 9th at Midland Civic Center in Midland, MI. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m. and tickets are available at the Saginaw Spirit Store located at 6321 State Street or via phone at (989) 497-7747.
Saginaw will play a preseason game at the Dow Event Center on Friday, September 23rd against the Flint Firebirds. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m., and tickets for that game are available at the Dow Event Center Box Office, the Saginaw Spirit Store, or online through Ticketmaster.
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