Spirit seek franchise record against Niagara
Saginaw, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit (13-7-0-1) will take on the Niagara IceDogs (4-13-4-1) at the Dow Event Center on Sunday, November 26th in the final of a two-game season series. The Spirit look to set a new franchise record tonight with a tenth consecutive win.
Tonight’s Game:
Puck drop is a 5:30pm
Fans can bring their skates and hop onto the ice after the game for the first postgame skate with the players this season.
Tickets:
Phone: (989) 497-7747
In-Person: Saginaw Spirit Store (6321 State St.), Dow Event Center Box Office
Broadcast
Television: CHL TV, CHL App, OHL Action Pak Ch. 470
Radio: 100.5 FM WSGW, WSGW.com
Last Time:
The Saginaw Spirit defeated the Sarnia Sting at home on Saturday, November 25th, by a score of 6-1. Will Bishop and PJ Forgione both scored their second goals of the season while former Windsor Spitfire Alex Christopoulos scored his first in a Spirit jersey. Michael Misa, Dean Loukus, and Matyas Sapovaliv also scored goals. Nolan Lalonde started in net for Saginaw and made 18 saves on 19 shots.
The Niagara IceDogs lost to the Flint Firebirds, 7-3, on Saturday, November 25th, at the Dort Financial Center. Zakary Lavoie was the first to score before Flint would go on a six goal run to make the score 6-1. Ryan Vannetten scored early in the second with assists from Mike Levin and Ivan Galiyanov. Ryan Roobroeck was the last to score for the IceDogs with William Stewart there for the assist. Owen Flores started in net for the IceDogs and made 42 saves on 49 shots on goal.
Last Matchup:
The Saginaw Spirit faced-off against the Niagara IceDogs earlier this season at the Meridian Centre and walked away with a 3-2 victory. Hunter Haight and Zayne Parekh both scored their seventh goals of the season in the first period, making it 2-0. However, Niagara’s Gavin Bryant and Kevin He were able to tie the game up, 2-2, in the second period. Rodwin Dionicio was able to break the tie in the third with the game winning goal. Andrew Oke started in net for Saginaw and made 23 saves on 25 shots. Owen Flores started in net for Niagara and made 28 saves on 31 shots.
Players to watch:
Michael Misa (12G, 15A) and Zayne Parekh (8G, 19A) both lead the Spirit in points with 27. Michael Misa leads the team in goals with 12 and Zayne Parekh leads in assists with 19. Hunter Haight (8G, 18A) is second on the team in points with 26 followed by Rodwin Dionicio (5G, 15A) with 25. Andrew Oke continues to lead all Saginaw goaltending categories, including nine wins, a .908 save percentage (SV%), and a 2.60 goals against average (GAA).
Kevin He leads Niagara in goals with ten, and in points with 15. Mathieu Paris and Michael Podolioukh are tied for most assists on the team with eight. Owen Flores leads Niagara goaltenders in all categories, including three wins, a .903 save percentage (SV%), and a 3.45 goals against average (GAA).
Saginaw currently has seven (7) players with ties to the National Hockey League (NHL), including Joey Willis (Nashville), Matyas Sapovaliv (Vegas), Hunter Haight (Minnesota), Ethan Hay (Tampa Bay), Braden Haché (Florida), Rodwin Dionicio (Anaheim) and Nolan Lalonde (Columbus, FA).
Niagara has one player drafted into the National Hockey League (NHL) in defenseman Daniil Sobolev (Montreal).
