Klepov sets Spirit rookie points record in loss to Spitfires
Photo: Steven Frank Imagery
Saginaw, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit fell to the Windsor Spitfires 4-2 on Saturday night in their final game of the weekend. Nikita Klepov assisted on Egor Barabanov’s second period goal for his 75th point of the season, passing Cole Perfetti’s rookie record of 74 points set back in 2018-19.
After some back-and-forth chances to start the night, Andrew Robinson snapped his fourth goal of the season past Stepan Shurygin’s blocker from the left wing circle to open a 1-0 lead. Alex Pharand took the assist at 6:35.
After 1: SAG 0 – 1 WSR (Total Shots: 8 – 7)
Liam Greentree directed the puck past Stepan Shurygin on a rush at 6:31 of the second period. Nathan Villeneuve and Wyatt Kennedy added assists as the Spitfires made it 2-0.
John McLaughlin’s seventh goal of the season at 8:17 was in and out of the net quickly, but stood as a goal after video review. Carson Woodall and Jonathan Brown had the assists on the eventual game-winner.
Egor Barabanov poked in a loose puck on the powerplay for this 25th goal of the season to get Saginaw on the board. Dima Zhilkin worked in front with him and Nikita Klepov’s secondary assist secured his spot in Spirit history.
After 2: SAG 1 – 3 WSR (2nd period shots: 8 – 11)
Jack Nesbitt scored on a penalty shot at 12:01 of the third period after he was hauled down during a powerplay for a 4-1 lead.
Dima Zhilkin snuck a shot past Joey Costanzo at 17:45 with the goaltender pulled. Egor Barabanov and Levi Harper had the assists as Saginaw made it 4-2, though that’s where the scoring stopped.
Final: SAG 2 – 4 WSR (Total shots 24 – 30)
Powerplays: SAG 1/3, WSR 1/3
Goaltenders: SAG: Stepan Shurygin (26SV/30SH) WSR: Joey Costanzo (22SV/24SH)
The Spirit and Spitfires will meet next on Monday, February 16th in Windsor. Puck drop at the WFCU Centre is at 2:05pm.
