SmartStop Post Game Recap — Brampton bounces back with Spirit-ed Win over Saginaw on Teddy Bear Toss Night
BRAMPTON, ON – Brampton bounced back with a big win on Teddy Bear Toss night, knocking off the Spirit by a score of 4-1, behind a 2-goal night from Josh Avery.
The Trout were looking to put last night’s tough defeat in the rear-view mirror, as attention turned to Saturday afternoon’s battle with the Saginaw Spirit. The CAA Centre was buzzing in preparation for a very special day that has been circled on the calendar all season: The Teddy Bear Toss Game!
Brampton was handed a golden opportunity early in the game when Saginaw got 2 quick penalties in the opening exchanges–one of which was a major for head-chekcing–sending the Steelheads to a 5-on-3 powerplay.
Jakub Fibigr used the extra ice to walk across the blue line, before teeing up Joshua Avery for a one-timer that found the back of the net; just 5:11 into the game, it was raining teddy bears in Brampton as fans launched their donations onto the ice!
Halfway through the period, Saginaw got a foothold in the game and drew 2 quick penalties, getting their own 5-on-3 advantage. Similarly to Brampton, the Spirit utilized the extra ice and tied the game through a Nikita Klepov one-timer.
The action-packed opening period continued as Keaton Ardagh fired a low shot past the Saginaw net-minder at 15:14 and restored Brampton’s lead.
Late in the period, Saginaw was handed their 2nd major penalty of the game, giving Brampton an extended powerplay opportunity.
A period filled with penalties, goals, and most importantly, hundreds of teddy bears, ended 2-1 in favour of Brampton.
The 2nd began with Brampton still having a few minutes left on their 5-minute powerplay, but the man advantage was cut short when Kieran Witkowski was booked for cross-checking in the opening minutes of the period.
After killing the penalty, Brampton re-asserted themselves and took control of the game, dominating offensive zone time and having the majority of the scoring chances.
The clock ticked past 5 minutes to go in the period, with the Steelheads up 2-1 and doubling Saginaw in shots 24-12, as they continued pushing for an insurance goal.
Kaleb Papineau was able to keep the Steelheads onslaught at bay, as the period ended at the 2-1 score it started with. Brampton took their goal lead and all the momentum into the final 20 minutes.
Brampton’s control of the game carried through the intermission, as they fired a flurry of shots at Saginaw’s goal, but couldn’t find the twine for a 3rd goal.
As the game ticked into its final 10 minutes, Saginaw finally got a chance of their own, but Luke Johnson was there to shut the door in style with a huge sliding pad save to keep the Steelheads’ lead intact.
With 4 minutes remaining, Avery fires home his 2nd of the game to give Brampton some much needed breathing room.
The 3rd goal proved to be a decisive dagger, as Saginaw was unable to respond, with Luke Johnson standing tall between the pipes and denying the Spirit’s attempts to get a lifeline in the game.
Kieran Witkowski added an empty net goal in the final seconds to seal the deal and secure the win for Brampton, closing out a special night with a great team win.
Brampton heads up north for a road trip, getting back on the ice in North Bay to take on the Battalion on Thursday, December 11th.
3 Stars
- Joshua Avery
- Luke Johnson
- Keaton Ardagh
Shots on Goal
BRAM – 39
SAG – 25
