Christy Scores First in 3-1 Loss to Greyhounds
September 10, 2022 – Ontario Hockey League (OHL) – Saginaw Spirit News Release
Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. – The Saginaw Spirit wrapped up their preseason home-and-home set-two with the Soo Greyhounds on Saturday night, falling by a 3-1 score in front of 1,426 at the GFL Memorial Gardens in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
The Spirit were looking to equal their tremendous start from a night earlier in their 9-3 victory over the Hounds in Midland. On this night, it was the Greyhounds who would strike first when Marco Mignosa was set up by the McConnell-Barker brothers, Bryce and Brodie, to give the Soo a 1-0 lead at 1:24. The goal was Mignosa first of the preseason and came on a snap shot from the top of the right circle beating Saginaw netminder Brett Fullerton.
Saginaw was quick to answer with a goal of their own at 5:25 from right winger Carson Christy. His tip in at the right side of the net came courtesy of a sneaky, goal-mouth pass from Luke McNamara. Sebastien Gervais also drew an assist on Christy’s first preseason tally and first goal in a Spirit uniform.
Just seconds later, Christy had a chance for his second goal of the game but was denied on a wraparound attempt by Soo goaltender Charlie Schenkel.
Midway through the period, Fullerton was tested by a point-blank one-timed shot by Connor Clattenburg that he swatted away with the blocker and goal stick.
The remainder of the period was scoreless with the shots on goal favoring the Greyhounds, 9-7.
The middle frame featured early scoring chances for both teams as Vancouver Canucks prospect Kirill Kudryavtsev hit the right post on a shot from the left-wing circle just 30 seconds into the period. Saginaw answered with two glorious chances to score. The first coming on a two-on-one opportunity for Michael Misa that was shut down by Schenkel. His linemate Bode Stewart was stoned by Schenkel just moments later after he collect his own rebound and the Soo goaltender made a sprawling save.
The Greyhounds took the lead back at 12:01 on New York Rangers prospect Bryce McConnell-Barker’s second goal of the preseason. McConnell-Barker made a quick move to the middle of the ice to elude the Spirit defender and snapped a wrist shot past the glove of Fullerton.
Saginaw received five power play opportunities through the first two periods, including three in the second period, but were unable to cash in. The Spirit outshot the Greyhounds 12-9 in the second stanza.
The third period began evenly matched with the Soo defending their one-goal lead well. Even when the Spirit were given their sixth power play of the game, the Hounds kept the Spirit off the sheet.
The Greyhounds had a chance to put the game away when Evan Klein went to the penalty box for roughing with 5:39 left, but they were also unable to score. Eventually Pacey Schlueting was high sticked by Kalvyn Watson, negating the remainder of the Soo man-advantage.
On the Spirit power play, head coach Chris Lazary pulled Brett Fullerton for an extra skater, making it six Spirit players to four for the Soo. The Hounds would score into the empty net at 17:50 courtesy of Jordan D’Intino scoring his second goal of the preseason.
The Greyhounds would take the game by that 3-1 final score. The Spirit outshot the Hounds 27-23 in the hockey game.
The Spirit’s next preseason home game is against the Flint Firebirds at the Dow Event Center September 23rd. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m. and tickets are available at Dow Event Center Box Office, the Spirit Store, or online through Ticketmaster.
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