Spirit postseason ends in Game 6 loss
Photo: Eric Young
Saginaw, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit fell to the London Knights, 4-2, in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals on Sunday afternoon at the Dow Event Center. The London Knights will compete for the J. Ross Robertson Cup as Western Conference Champions. Joey Willis and Jorian Donovan were the goal scorers for the Spirit with Calem Mangone and captain Braden Haché claiming assists. Michael Simpson started in net for London saving 33 of 35 shots. At the other end, Nolan Lalonde stopped 22 of 25 shots on goal for Saginaw.
With less than two minutes left in the first, Sam Dickinson received a hooking call, giving Saginaw a power play opportunity. Halfway through the powerplay, it was London who went on to score the first goal of the night. After intercepting a Spirit pass, Easton Cowan took off up ice and fired the puck just over Lalonde’s shoulder to score the shorthanded goal.
AFTER 1: SAG 0 – 1 LDN (Total Shots: 10 – 9)
With three minutes left in the second period, the Saginaw Spirit scored their first goal of the game, courtesy of Nashville prospect Joey Willis. After a scrum on the wall, Willis came up with the puck and quickly fired it from the left faceoff circle. The puck slipped through Simpson, off the goal post, and in for the equalizer.
AFTER 2: SAG 1 – 1 LDN (2nd Period Shots: 11 – 10 Total Shots: 21 – 19)
At 1:25, London regained the lead with Sam O’Reilly scoring the goal and both Ruslan Gazizov and Max McCue receiving the assists.
At 7:35, Saginaw tied the game up at 2-2. Jorian Donovan skated up on Simpson’s right and backhanded the puck to his left, just out of reach of his skate. The puck slipped off the far goal post and in to tie the game. Both Calem Mangone and captain Braden Haché claimed assists on the game tying-goal.
The Knights responded in short order, with Jackson Edward firing home the eventual game-winner from the right circle at 8:23. Assists went to Denver Barkey and Easton Cowan.
With two minutes left in the game, Saginaw pulled Nolan Lalonde to leave an empty net. Easton Cowan sealed the deal with his second of the game at 19:22. Barley and Max McCue assisted on the ENG.
FINAL: SAG 2 – 4 LDN (3rd Period Shots: 14 – 7 Total Shots: 35 – 26)
Powerplay: SAG 0/4, LDN 0/2
Goaltenders: SAG: Nolan Lalonde (22 Saves / 25 Shots, L) – LDN: Michael Simpson (35 Saves / 35 Shots, W)
The London Knights advance to the OHL Final as Western Conference Champions.
Saginaw will take on the Western Hockey League champions at the Dow Event Center on May 24th of the opening game of the Memorial Cup presented by Dow. Puck drop is set for 7:30pm.
