SmartStop Post-Game Recap – Steelheads Come Up Just Short in Thrilling Clash with Saginaw Spirit
SAGINAW, MI – The Steelheads looked to build on the momentum from the previous night’s win against the Flint Firebirds as they took on the Saginaw Spirit on the road Sunday evening. Despite a hard fought battle, the Steelheads would fall 4-3.
Saginaw got an early opportunity with the man advantage when Brampton’s Justin Bottineau was sent to the penalty box for tripping at 2:47.
The Spirit capitalized shortly after, as Dimian Zhilkin beat Zach Bowen at 3:30 to make it 1-0, with assists from Nikita Klepov and Carson Harmer.
At 7:42, the Steelheads earned a power-play opportunity of their own when Nic Sima was assessed a two-minute minor for blindsiding.
Immediately after the first power play expired, Brampton earned another man-advantage opportunity at 9:56, as Nic Sima was called for a four-minute double minor for high sticking. Despite the extended power-play time, the Steelheads were unable to convert.
It was a penalty-filled period, as the Saginaw Spirit were forced into another penalty kill at 14:17 when Dimian Zhilkin was assessed a match penalty for cross-checking, giving Brampton a five-minute power play.
The Trout finally capitalized on the power play at 18:05, as Thomas Kuipers scored his first career OHL goal, beating Stepan Shurygin to tie the game at 1-1.
At 18:56, Brampton’s Troy Patton was called for hooking, giving Saginaw a power-play opportunity, but the Spirit were unable to find the back of the net.
After spending 11 minutes on the power play in the opening period, the Steelheads headed into the second with confidence, leading the shot total 16-4. Brampton looked to capitalize further on its opportunities, while the Spirit aimed to clean up their discipline.
It was a moderate start to the second period, with limited action early on. Through the first six minutes, the Spirit held a slight edge in shots, 3-2.
Just below the halfway mark of the period, at 9:55, Lucas Demiglio was sent to the penalty box for tripping, giving Saginaw a power-play opportunity.
The Spirit had no trouble capitalizing, as Nikita Klepov scored the go-ahead goal at 10:53.
It was a stronger period for Saginaw, as their penalty numbers dropped and Brampton’s shot total decreased as a result.
It was a tough end to the second period for Brampton, as Manuel Amado was assessed a tripping penalty at 19:43, sending the Spirit to the power play to close out the frame and carry it into the third.
The Steelheads looked to generate more chances and mount a comeback in the final period, while the Spirit aimed to add insurance to their lead.
The Spirit were unable to capitalize on the power play that carried over into the third period. At 3:13, Carson Harmer was called for tripping, giving the Steelheads a power-play opportunity, but Brampton was also unable to convert.
At 6:29, the Trout were sent to the penalty kill following a high-sticking call on Reed Gee. Saginaw capitalized on the ensuing power play, as Egor Barabanov scored an insurance goal at 7:37 to make it 3-1.
The final frame featured back-and-forth penalties, as Blake Barnes was called for boarding at 8:57, sending the Steelheads back to the man advantage. Needing a goal to cut into the lead, Brampton was unable to capitalize.
After battling to find the back of the net, the Steelheads finally broke through at 13:08, as Lucas Demiglio scored his second OHL goal to cut the deficit to 3-2.
At 14:53, Saginaw was called for a crucial penalty, as Josh Glavin was assessed a charging minor. Shortly after, at 15:10, Mason Zebeski scored on the power play to tie the game at 3 with under five minutes remaining.
In dramatic fashion, Nikita Klepov scored his second goal of the game at 19:08 to give Saginaw the go-ahead, 4-3.
At 19:32, Sebastien Gervais was called for tripping, sending Brampton to the power play. However, it was too little, too late, as the Spirit held strong to secure the 4-3 victory.
Shots
SAG: 20
BRAM: 35
3 Stars of Game
- Nikita Klepov (2G, 2A)
- Egor Barabanov (1G, 1A)
- Parker von Richter (3A)
Brampton will return home on Friday, January 9th, to face the North Bay Battalion and look to bounce back.
Purchase your tickets here:
https://www.ticketmaster.ca/brampton-steelheads-vs-north-bay-battalion-brampton-ontario-01-09-2026/event/1000631AC60E2A97
