Spirit Battle Back with 5-4 Victory over Spitfires - Junior Hockey News

The Saginaw Spirit came back from two 2-goal deficits to tie up the game and secure a  5-4 overtime win over the Windsor Spitfires Sunday afternoon in Windsor, Ontario.  The win evens up the playoff series between the two teams at two goals apiece, and the win marks the first ever Spirit second round victory.  Josh Shalla earned first star honors with the game winning goal and an assist, and was one of five Spirit players capping off two point showings in the game.  The two teams return to The Dow Event Center for game three of the series Tuesday, April 12 and with Sunday's win the Spirit will host game five of the best-of-seven series on Saturday, April 16.  Both game start at 7:11 PM.

The Spitfires jumped to a two goal lead early in the game.  Spitfires center Stephen Johnston scored the first goal of the night with help from winger Kenny Ryan and defenseman Ryan Ellis 1:13 into the game.  Moments later winger Tom Kuhnhackl moved the score to 2-0 with a goal at the 4:32 mark with the assist coming from defenseman Craig Duininck and goalie Jack Campbell.  The Spirit quickly answered with two goals to tie up the game at two apiece, starting with center John McFarland scoring at the 5:48 mark from center Mathew Sisca.  Defenseman Ben Chiarot scored a power play goal from Mcfarland and center Vincent Trocheck at 16:55 to bring the first period to a close with the score at 2-2.

Windsor would again open a frame to the tune of two rapid goals giving them a two goal lead.  Kuhnhackl scored his second of the night at 4:57 into the period from Ellis and center Alexander Khoklachev to make it 3-2, and winger Jake Carrick gave the Spitfires a two goal lead with a goal at 7:25 mark from from Khoklachev and defenseman Saverio Posa.

The Spirit would again mount a successful campaign to tie up the contest.  Spirit winger Garret Ross scored his first of the post season at 12:51 from Jordan Szwarz and Josh Shalla to make it a one goal game.  Wigner Brandon Saad scored in the third period, at the 9:28 mark, from Chiarot and center Ivan Telegin to tie up the game and force overtime.

Saginaw's Josh Shalla would prove the hero of the extra frame, scoring the game winning goal 2:13 in to secure the Spirit 5-4 victory and tie up the playoff series at one game apiece.  Ross and Szwarz both earned assists on the goal.

Spirit goalie Mavric Parks notched 29 saves on 33 shots while Spitfires goalie Jack Campbell  notched 29 saves on 34 shots.

Catch the Playoff Spirit!  The Saginaw Spirit host game three of the series on Tuesday, April 12 - tickets are on sale for the game, which features $1.00 draft beer pre-game!  The Spirit playoffs are presented by the Great Lakes Bay Region Convention and Visitors Bureau.  Get your tickets at SaginawSpirit.com or by calling 989-497-7747.