Haight’s hat trick keeps Spirit’s postseason alive in Game 5
London, Ont. – The Saginaw Spirit defeated the London Knights, 4-2, in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals on Friday night at the Budweiser Gardens. Hunter Haight notched a hat trick while Rodwin Dionicio collected four assists. Michael Simpson started in net for the Knights saving 31 of 35 shots. At the other end, Nolan Lalonde stopped 26 of 28 shots on goal to give Saginaw their first win on the road against London.
Hunter Haight scored the first goal of the night 15 minutes into the game. After collecting a pass from Rodwin Dionicio, Haight took the puck to the right faceoff dot where he rifled a shot just past Simpson’s head.
Landon Sim received a charging call at the end of the first period, giving Saginaw a power play opportunity that would lead to a goal in the second period.
AFTER 1: SAG 1 – 0 LDN (Total Shots: 6 – 11)
After receiving a pass from Michael Misa, Rodwin Dionicio fired a shot from the point which Simpson was able to block with his pads. Overager Josh Bloom gathered the puck in the slot and quickly fired it just out of reach of Simpson’s glove. The power play goal occurred at 1:54 into the second to make the score 2-0 in favor of the Spirit.
At 14:15, Oliver Bonk scored the first London goal of the night with assists going to Denver Barkey and Easton Cowan. This was a power play goal due to Zayne Parekh serving a tripping penalty at 13:32.
With 2:30 left in the second Hunter Haight scored his second goal of the night. Owen Beck passed to Haight on the right faceoff dot where he smashed the puck through Simpson’s legs and into the net. Rodwin Dionicio also collected an assist on this goal.
The London Knights still wouldn’t give up as Easton Cowan would score the second goal of the night for London with assists to Max McCue and Sam O’Reilly.
AFTER 2: SAG 3 – 2 LDN (2nd Period Shots: 17 – 8 Total Shots: 23 – 19)
At 4:23, Easton Cowan received a goaltender interference penalty that later led to Hunter Haight scoring his third goal of the night for the hat trick. Josh Bloom passed to Rodwin Dionicio who then passed to Haight on the right faceoff dot. Haight wasted little time sending the puck just over Simpson shoulder and into the net for his eighth of the playoffs.
FINAL: SAG 4 – 2 LDN (3rd Period Shots: 12 – 9 Total Shots: 35 – 28)
Powerplay: SAG 2/8, LDN 1/3
Goaltenders: SAG: Nolan Lalonde (26 Saves / 28 Shots, W) – LDN: Michael Simpson (31 Saves / 35 Shots, L)
Saginaw will return home to the Dow Event Center for Game 6 of the Western Conference Final against the London Knights. Puck drop is at 2:00pm with the Spirit trailing the series 3-2.
