Sapovaliv’s hat trick leads Spirit to franchise-record tenth straight win
Saginaw, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit (14-7-0-1) defeated the Niagara IceDogs (4-14-4-1) by a score of 6-2, on Sunday, November 26th at the Dow Event Center. Matyas Sapovaliv scored his first regular-season hat-trick to give Saginaw a new franchise record of ten consecutive wins. Andrew Oke started in net for the Spirit and made 29 saves on 31 shots. Marcus Vandenberg started in net for the IceDogs and made 31 saves on 37 shots on goal.
The Saginaw Spirit were the first to strike just 1:31 into the first period. Calem Mangone took a shot from the left point that popped off the end boards and back to Matyas Sapovaliv. The center slipped the puck past Vandenburg’s pad for the 1-0 lead.
Calem Mangone intercepted a Niagara pass in the Spirits zone and soon passed the puck up to Matyas Sapovaliv in the neutral zone just moments later. With Joey Willis streaking to the back post, Sapovaliv fired a cross-ice pass for an easy tap-in. Willis’ third of the year extended the Spirit lead to 2-0 with 17:47 left in the first period.
2:32 into the game, both Rodwin Dionicio and Gavin Bryant were sent to the penalty box. Rodwin Dionicio was called for a Check to the Head minor and a fighting major. Gavin Bryant was called for fighting as well and for instigating.
3:26 into the first period, the IceDogs were able to get on the board. William Stewart made a long off the board pass to Ivan Galiyanov in the neutral zone. Ivan Galiyanov skated all the way up to eventually pass to Mike Levin. Inside the left circle, Levin fired a puck past Oke and cut the IceDogs deficit to 2-1.
With 14:20 left in the first period the Spirit scored again. PJ Forgione and Michael Misa skated up ice along the right wall, passing the puck back and forth. Misa soon broke off looking like he was going to make a shot but instead passed to Hunter Haight. This fooled everyone, including goaltender Marcus Vandenberg, and before Haight tipped the puck into the net to give Saginaw a 3-1 lead.
Saginaw’s Josh Glavin was called high sticking as well with 5:32 left in the first. Matyas Sapovaliv soon followed him after being called for goaltender interference with 3:50 left in the first. This gave Niagara a short lived 5v3 where they were only able to get one shot on goal. Saginaw showcased their defensive strength and allowed only four shots on goal during this penalty kill.
The Saginaw Spirit lead the Niagara IceDogs, 3-1, at the end of the first period despite being outshot 10-7.
With 10:44 left in the second period, Niagara’s Conner Federkow was sent to the penalty box for a check to the head call. This gave Saginaw a power play opportunity that they soon capitalized on. Joey Willis made a short pass to Ethan Hay who sat right in front of Marcus Vandenberg. Hay lost control of the puck but was able to pass it behind him to Dean Loukus. Loukus wasted no time, burying the puck to give the Spirit a 4-1 lead.
With 16:11 left in the second period, the IceDogs suffered another penalty. This one was on Ivan Galiyanov for hooking. Only 17 seconds before Galiyanov returned, Calem Mangone was also sent to the penalty box for hooking, making it an even 4v4.
A stretch pass from Zayne Parekh to Matyas Sapovaliv gave the Spirit another chance to extend their lead. Sapovaliv calmly faked a shot, curled to the backhand and slid the puck around Vandenburg. This goal was Sapovaliv’s tenth of the season which extended Saginaw’s lead to 5-1.
The second period ended with a fight between Bronson Ride and Josh Glavin that wouldn’t go into effect until the start of the third period. Saginaw led Niagara by a score of 5-1 with the Spirit also outshooting the IceDogs 25-20 (18-10 in the second period).
19:41 into the third period, Niagara’s Ryan Roobroeck was sent to the penalty box for tripping, giving Saginaw another power play opportunity. Saginaw responded when Michael Misa passed to Hunter Haight, then to Matyas Sapovaliv. Sapovaliv moved in right behind Marcus Vandenberg’s right to tip the puck in behind him. This was Sapovaliv’s first hat-trick of the season, making the score now 6-1 with 18:37 left in the game.
Niagara answered with a goal of their own when Kevin He passed to Ryan Roobroeck who’d then go on the break away. Roobroeck juked Andrew Oke to his left and flipped the puck in behind him to cut the IceDogs deficit to 6-2 with 16:58 left in the game.
A string of penalties followed after this goal. First, Saginaw’s Will Bishop was sent to the penalty box for holding with 15:43 left to go. Then, Niagara’s Artem Frolov was sent to the penalty box for tripping with 14:10 left in the game. Rodwin Dionicio returned to the boxafter receiving an interference call with 14:30 left. Lastly, Saginaw’s Lincoln Moore was sent to the penalty box for slashing with 9:29 left in the third. None of these penalties led to a power play goal.
The Saginaw Spirit defeated the Niagara IceDogs by a score of 6-2. This win extended Saginaw’s win streak to ten, a new franchise record. The Spirit also outshot the IceDogs 37-31 (12-11 in the third period)
Saginaw’s next game will be at home against the Soo Greyhounds on Wednesday, November 29th. Puck drop is at 7:05pm at the Dow Event Center.
For more information, visit saginawspirit.com or follow the team on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
For media inquiries, contact Dillon Clark at [email protected].