Top line combines for six points in Saturday loss to London
Photo: Steven Frank
Saginaw, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit hosted the London Knights for their fourth meeting this season, falling 5-3 despite a late comeback attempt. Egor Barabanov picked up two assists, and Nikita Klepov had a goal and two helpers. Dima Zhilkin scored his 25th goal of the season, and Stepan Shurygin stopped 28 of 33 shots.
The London Knights opened the scoring in the first, with Braiden Clark finishing a passing play during a five-on-three for his 13th of the season. Jessie Nurmi and Ryan Brown set up the play, as the Knights led 1-0 at 11:48.
After 1: SAG 0 – 1 LDN (Total Shots: 5 – 17)
Ryan Brown extended the lead for the Knights to start the scoring in the second after he fired in a snap shot from the right circle. Even Van Gorp and Linus Funck picked up the assists at 3:32.
The Knights scored their third unanswered goal 15:41 into the second after William Nicholl fired in a shot off the rush from the left circle. Henry Brzustewicz picked up the lone assist as the London Knights led 3-0.
Levi Harper responded for Saginaw with his ninth of the season after a loose puck in the crease bounced off him into the net. Egor Barabanov and Nikita Klepov picked up the assists as the Spirit cut the lead to two at 17:08.
After 2: SAG 1 – 3 LDN (2nd period shots: 8 – 15, Total shots: 19 – 25)
The Knights restored the three-goal lead after Caleb Mitchell fired in a long drive from the point for his fourth goal of the season. Kaeden Hawkins picked up the assist as the Knights led 4-1 at 2:16
Nikita Klepov responded for Saginaw, scoring his 29th of the season after snapping one in off a faceoff. Egor Barabanov picked up the assist for his second point of the game as the Spirit trailed 4-2 at 6:56.
The Spirit cut the lead to one late in the third, with the captain Dima Zhilkin batting in a rebound for his 25th of the season. Levi Harper picked up the assist for his second point of the game, as the Knights led 4-3 at 14:51 of the third.
Forty-four seconds later, Linus Funck restored the two-goal lead for the Knights, firing in a point shot for his second point of the game. Kaeden Hawkins picked up his second assist of the period to take the 5-3 lead at 15:25.
Final: SAG 3 – 5 LDN (3rd period shots 13 – 8, Total shots 32 – 33)
Powerplays: SAG 0/1, LND 1/3
Goaltenders: SAG: Stepan Shurygin (28 saves, 33 shots) LDN: (29 saves, 32 shots)
The Spirit play next Wednesday, February 11th, visiting the Flint Firebirds at the Dort Financial Center. Puck drop is at 7:00pm.
