Mangone picks up game-winner, Spirit move on to Western Conference Finals
Photo: Natalie Shaver – OHL Images
Saginaw, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit defeated the Soo Greyhounds in Game 7 to advance to their second Western Conference Finals in team history. Matyas Sapovaliv ended the night with a goal and an assist and Calem Mangone scored the game winner in front of 5064 fans in a 3-1 game. Charlie Schenkel started in net for the Soo saving 32 of 34 shots. At the other end, Nolan Lalonde stopped 16 of 17 shots on goal and also claimed an assist.
Saginaw struck first, scoring a goal midway through the first period. Matyas Sapovaliv passed to Will Bishop who attempted a shot all the way from the right faceoff circle. Joey Willis put a stick in the lane and the back-door deflection got behind Schenkel.
AFTER 1: SAG 1 – 0 SOO (Total Shots: 10 – 4)
With five minutes left in the second period, the Soo scored their first goal of the night. Gavin Hayes was the goal scorer with assists going to Arttu Karki and Detroit prospect Andrew Gibson.
Saginaw killed off a pair of penalties, but were unable to find the back of the net in the second period.
AFTER 2: SAG 1 – 1 SOO (2nd Period Shots: 10 – 8 Total Shots: 20 – 12)
At 9:24, Saginaw broke the tie with a goal from Calem Mangone. After a puck cycled below the goal line from Braden Haché, Michael Misa lifted a defender’s stick and found Mangone in the slot. His fifth goal of the series slipped through Schenkel for the go-ahead goal.
With 2:30 left in the game the Soo pulled goalie Charlie Schenkel to leave an open net. With exactly one minute to go in the game, Matyas Sapovaliv scored an empty net goal, from just inside his blue line. Goaltender Nolan Lalonde collected the assist on this insurance goal.
FINAL: SAG 3 – 1 SOO (3rd Period Shots: 14 – 5 Total Shots: 34 – 17)
Powerplay: SAG 0/4, SOO 0/2
Goaltenders: SAG: Nolan Lalonde (16 Saves / 17 Shots, W ) – SOO: (32 Saves / 34 Shots, L)
The Spirit will open up the Western Conference Final against the Knights in London on Friday, April 26th.