Game Day Recap: Spirit’s Loukus, Mintyukov take points lead in OHL in 5-4 loss to Spitfires

Saginaw, Mich – The Saginaw Spirit fell to the Windsor Spitfires by a 5-4 score on Saturday night in front of 2,468 fans at The Dow Event Center in Riverfront Saginaw, Michigan.

The Spirit were led by Vegas Golden Knights prospect Matyas Sapovaliv who scored two goals and an assist. Dean Loukus and Pavel Mintyukov took over the league-lead in points (9) with two-point games, respectively.

The game started with both teams looking to strike early, but Saginaw took an interference penalty at 1:26 in the first. Overager Theo Hill had a great chance to score a shorthanded goal but was waived off because he batted the puck in with a high stick. Saginaw was able to complete the kill, eventually going 5-for-5 on the man-power disadvantage.

Windsor kept the pressure on and had a two-minute possession around the seven-minute mark in the first. Saginaw took a holding penalty at 8:04 in the first period, but despite taking more shots than their first try they were able to hold Windsor off.

10:00 into the first frame, the game was scoreless. The Spitfires led nine to three in shots.

Windsor scored a shorthand goal at 12:08 courtesy of Oliver Peer. Brett Fullerton skated out of his goal to play the puck but was out of position when Oliver Peer grabbed the puck and potted it into the open net for his third goal this year.

Shortly after, Saginaw shrugged off the shorthanded goal and answered back at 12:51 of the first period with a powerplay goal. T-Bone Codd passed from the right side to the left where Buffalo Sabers Pick Josh Bloom was waiting. Matyas Sapovaliv was credited with the score after Bloom passed to him and the puck rolled on into the net off his stick blade.

Saginaw continued their powerplay success and scored another powerplay goal at 15:43 in the first frame. Joey Willis scored in front of the net after Dean Loukus passed from the top of the zone to the right side where Pavel Mintyukov was waiting. Willis’ shot from the right circle was partially blocked by Windsor defenseman James Jodoin but bounced off of him past Onuska.

The Spirit had control of the final minutes of the first period, leading 2-1. Windsor led shots 18-12.

The second period opened with a goal from Windsor 41 seconds in. A Saginaw player attempted to clear the puck but instead passed to James Jodoin who shot for a rebound off Fullterton. Two Spitfires swatted at the puck, but Jacob Maillet netted the puck to tie the game at two.

Windsor took the lead at 4:03 in the second period with the help of Ethan Miedema at 4:03 in the second period. Nicholas DeAngelis was credited with the assist.

Saginaw took a hooking penalty at 4:13 in the middle frame and had a great shorthanded chance to score but was ultimately denied by Onuska.

The Spirit had another opportunity to try out their powerplay at 7:34 in the second frame. While they were unable to score, Saginaw was able to take several shots and keep the puck in the zone for the majority of the powerplay.

The next few minutes before and after the halfway point in the second period was a back-and-forth affair. Both teams could not set up well enough to get any good opportunities, but were able to show off their defensive play.

Saginaw tied the game at 14:53 in the second frame. Joey Willis passed from behind the net to Vegas Golden Knights pick Matyas Sapovaliv who was waiting for the one-timer shot to tie the game at three.

Windsor answered back at 16:21 in the second period. Anthony Cristoforo passed from the center of the zone to Jacob Maillet who was at the left. New York Islanders Pick Matthew Maggio got his first after he skated to the middle of the ice and scored off a wrist shot.

Brett Fullerton took to the ice for the first time this season, making 29 saves on 34 shots. Mathias Onuska manned the crease for Windsor and made 29 saves on 33 shots.

The period ended with the Spitfires obtaining the lead with less than five minutes left in the second. Windsor also led Saginaw in shots, 30-24.

The third period started off with a goal from Windsor at 2:03 in the third period. Alex Christopoulos scored the game winner unassisted to make the game 5-3.

Saginaw cut the lead to one with a goal at 9:35 in the final frame. Dean Loukus skated into the zone and got and passed to Matyas Sapovaliv who moved the puck up the boards to Pavel Mintyukov for his third goal of the season.

The goal helped give life to the spirit as they tied Windsor in shots at 31 with eight minutes to go in the third. The next few minutes saw both teams rack up shots but no goals.

Saginaw pulled their goalie with 90 seconds remaining and got a powerplay with five seconds remaining. Unable to convert, the game ended with a final score of 5-4 in favor of Windsor.

The Spirit’s next game is Sunday, October 9, 2022, as they face off against the Sudbury Wolves for the first time this season. Puck drop is at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster, the Saginaw Spirit Store (6321 State Street), Dow Event Center Box Office, and by phone at (989) 497-7747.