GAME PREVIEW: Game 4 @ Soo
Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. — The Saginaw Spirit look to extend their series lead on the Soo Greyhounds Wednesday night in Game 4 of their best-of-seven series. With a 7-2 win in the previous game, Saginaw took the 2-1 advantage in the series.
Tonight’s Game:
Puck drop is at 7:07 PM
Broadcast:
Television: CHL TV, CHL App, OHL Action Pak Ch. 466
Radio: 100.5 FM WSGW, WSGW.com
Head-to-head:
After splitting the first two games in Saginaw, Game 3 became the battleground for a series advantage on Monday night. Without the services of starting goaltender Andrew Oke, Saginaw turned to Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Nolan Lalonde. The Kingston native responded with his first career playoff victory, making 21 saves including a second period penalty shot. Soo native Calem Mangone picked up a pair of goals, including the game-winner to become the fourth Spirit player with three goals in the postseason. Saginaw’s top line of Josh Bloom, Owen Beck, and Alex Christopoulos was a force once again, notching a combined five points on the night.
Players to Watch:
Nobody in the series so far has more points than Calem Mangone (3G-1A-4P) and Rodwin Dionicio (1G-3A-4P). The Spirit are led in postseason scoring by Owen Beck (2G-8A-10P) who finished Game 3 with a pair of assists. He is the only Spirit player with multiple powerplay goals in the postseason. Nolan Lalonde stopped 21 of 23 for his first career playoff victory Monday night. Coupled with his relief appearance in Game 3, Lalonde posts a 3.28 GAA and .848 SV%.
Gavin Hayes leads the Greyhounds in scoring this postseason with ten points as well (4G, 6A). He has points in each of the last two contests, and every game this postseason aside from Saginaw’s Game 1 shutout. Jordan D’Intino’s Game 2 hat trick leaves him as the highest-scoring Greyhounds in the series at four goals. Charlie Schenkel owns a 3.09 GAA and .877 SV% through seven playoff contests. He has four of his team’s five victories (Landon Miller, Game 3 vs. Guelph.)