Saginaw wins fifth straight with 5-2 win over two-time defending OHL champs
WINDSOR, ONT -- The Saginaw Spirit netted their fifth consecutive victory with a 5-2 win over the two time league champion Windsor Spitfires Thursday night in Windsor. Winger Jordan Szwarz tallied two goals in the effort, including the game winning marker, to earn first star honors; Goalie Mavric Parks earned the third star honors with 38 saves on 40 shots. Saginaw’s record now stands at 5-1-0-0 with 10 points, good for first place in the OHL Western Conference.
Spirit defenseman Matt Ashman gave the Spirit the early edge with a goal at 13:21 in the first, assisted by winger Michael Kantor. It was the first goal of the season for Ashman. The Spitfires quickly responded to even up the contest however, with center Alexander Khokhlachev scoring his first of the night at the 16:42 mark. Winger Zack Kassian and defenseman Michael MacIntyre assisted on the goal.
The Spirit opened up the scoring floodgates in the second frame with three goals in two minutes and 17 seconds. Szwarz tallied a power play goal at 4:03 in the first from centers Brandon Saad and Vincent Trocheck, then scored his second of the evening at 5:45 from defenseman Michael Hermenegildo and center Michael Sgarbossa. Kantor scored the go-ahead goal at the 6:20 mark from defenseman Jacob Ringuette and center Alex Racino, moving the score to 4-1 Saginaw. Windsor’s Khokhlachev tallied a power play goal later in the frame however, at 10:19 from Kassian and defenseman Ryan Ellis. The second period ended with the Spirit up 4-2.
The Spitfires attempted a comeback in the third period but were unable to reduce the deficit; Saginaw’s Trocheck scored an empty net goal to secure the 5-2 win for the Spirit at 18:38 in the third.
Spirit goalie Mavric Parks tallied 38 saves on 40 shots, with Spitfires netminder Jack Campbell earning 29 saves on 33 shots.
For the official OHL game sheet, please visit www.ontariohockeyleague.com
The Spirit continue their road swing with a 7:30 PM contest against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Friday night before returning to Saginaw Saturday to host the Guelph Storm at 7:11 PM. Saturday’s game is the fourth annual PINK OUT Breast Cancer Awareness Game benefiting the St. Mary’s of Michigan Seton Cancer Institute. The team will be wearing special pink jerseys during the game, to be auctioned off post-game with the proceeds going to benefit the cause. There is also a pink pom-pon giveaway and a pre-game charity hockey game staring the Hockey Angles at 4:30 PM.
For ticket information, please contact the Spirit at 989-497-7747 or visit the Official Saginaw Spirit Ticket and Merchandise Store at 5789 State Street in Saginaw.
