Spirit earn fourth consecutive win, sweep weekend with victory over Petes
Saginaw, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit (12-6-1-0) won their third straight game of the weekend with a 4-2 win over the Peterborough Petes (10-6-1-2) Sunday night in front of 3,560 fans at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw, Michigan.
This is the fourth consecutive win for the Spirit, as they sweep the three-game weekend with tonight’s victory.
The game opened with early pressure and shots from Saginaw. The Spirit held the Petes from getting a shot on goal until eight minutes in.
Just before the 10-minute mark of the first period, Saginaw got a powerplay chance after Donovan McCoy was called for cross checking at 9:58. However, it was Peterborough that capitalized on the chance with a goal at 11:35. Jonathan Melee got his first goal of the season after Connor Lockhart stole the puck behind the net and passed out front to Melee. Samuel Mayer collected an assist on the play as well.
The first period ended with the Petes leading 1-0 and shots tied at four apiece.
The second period started with both teams evenly applying pressure and shots. Unlike the first, both teams had registered a shot by the two-minute mark.
Peterborough got a man-advantage after Josh Glavin was called for elbowing at 1:59 in the second period. Saginaw was able to successfully kill off the opportunity.
The Spirit got another chance on the powerplay after Jax Dubois took a hooking penalty at 6:18 in the middle period. The Petes were able to keep Saginaw off the board despite several shots.
Peterborough found themselves shorthand after Jax Dubois was called for hooking at 6:18. While shorthanded, Petes defenseman Donovan McCoy was guilty of covering the puck in the crease. Spirit captain Josh Bloom failed to convert on the ensuing penalty shot.
The Spirit got their first goal with 59 seconds remaining in the middle frame. Roberto Mancini earned his sixth goal of the season on a wrist shot after he was given the puck from Anaheim Ducks prospect Pavel Mintyukov from the right side of the zone. Dean Loukus got his 13th assist of the season after passing to Mintyukov.
The second period finished in a 1-1 tie, and the shots favoring Saginaw, 20-13.
The third period began with the Spirit on the power play after Samuel Mayer was called for tripping at 1:07. The Petes were able to kill off the penalty.
Shortly after the penalty ended, Saginaw stole the lead at 3:50 in the third period. Brayden Hislop got ahold of the puck after the faceoff and shoveled it to Roberto Mancini. The defensemen shot the puck from the far side of the ice, deflecting off of Lincoln Moore who was stationed in front of the net.
Chase Stillman got called for cross checking at 5:04 in the final period, giving the Spirit another chance on the powerplay. The Petes killed off the penalty successfully.
Peterborough tied the game with a goal at 12:05 in the third frame. J.R. Avon got his ninth goal of the year after he received the puck from Tommy Purdeller. Jonathan Melee earned his second point of the game after he passed to Purdeller.
The Spirit regained the lead at 14:42 of the third period. Liam Storch passed to Olivier Savard for his first goal of the season on a wrist shot over the blocker of Petes goaltender Michael Simpson.
With just over two minutes left in the final frame, Peterborough pulled Simpson but was unable to stop an empty net goal scored by Captain Josh Bloom. Pavel Mintyukov was credited for an assist on the play.
The Spirit improve to 12-6-1-0 on the season after tonight’s victory.
The Spirit’s next game is Thursday, November 17, as they take on the Niagara IceDogs at the Meridian Centre in Niagara, Ontario. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m.
Saginaw’s next home game is Saturday, November 26, as they host the Windsor Spitfires at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw, Michigan. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m. and and Tickets are available at Ticketmaster, the Saginaw Spirit Store (6321 State Street), Dow Event Center Box Office, and by phone at (989) 497-7747.
