Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
The Soo Greyhounds returned to the win column on Wednesday, October 28th, with a 5-2 victory over the Saginaw Spirit in a midweek Ontario Hockey League West Division matchup at the GFL Memorial Gardens in Sault Ste Marie.
The first-place Greyhounds, entering the contest with a 9-4-1 record, welcomed the third-place Spirit, who came to town sporting a 6-4-2-1 record. Both teams were looking to bounce back from losses to the Flint Firebirds, as the Greyhounds fell 1-0 on Sunday, October 25th, while Saginaw dropped a 6-2 decision to Flint on Saturday, October 24th.
Soo’s offence came alive over the opening two periods, building a four-goal advantage before holding off a late Saginaw push in the third period. Christopher Brown led the way with two goals, while Travis Hayes recorded a goal and two assists in the victory.
Greyhounds Strike First
The Greyhounds opened the scoring at 3:28 of the first period when Christopher Brown netted his third goal of the season. Trevor Daley Jr. and Travis Hayes collected the assists as Soo took an early 1-0 lead.
Despite the opening goal, neither team found the back of the net again before the first intermission, leaving the Greyhounds with a one-goal advantage heading into the second period.
Soo Extends Its Lead in the Second
The Greyhounds added to their lead just 2:50 into the second period when Jeremy Martin scored his second goal of the season. Callum Croskery and Brady Smith picked up the assists to give Soo a 2-0 advantage.
The home side continued to apply pressure late in the period, striking twice in a span of just 42 seconds.
At 18:06, Travis Hayes scored his fifth goal of the season on the power play, with Colin Fitzgerald and Croskery earning the assists. Croskery recorded his second point of the game on the goal.
Before Saginaw could regroup, Brown struck again at 18:48, scoring his fourth goal of the season. Daley Jr. and Hayes collected the assists, with Hayes also recording his second point of the contest.
The late scoring burst gave the Greyhounds a commanding 4-0 lead heading into the third period.
Spirit Rally, but Greyhounds Seal the Win
Saginaw refused to go quietly in the final frame, finding its offence midway through the third period.
At 14:24, Jacob Cloutier scored his fifth goal of the season, with Dima Zhilkin and Braidy Wassilyn assisting to put the Spirit on the board.
Just 1:23 later, Tyler Martyniuk scored his first goal of the season at 15:47. Hudson Leenders and Gordei Khotkov picked up the assists as Saginaw cut the deficit to 4-2, putting pressure on the Greyhounds during the closing minutes.
However, Soo responded by putting the game away at 18:05. With Saginaw pressing and its goaltender pulled for an extra attacker, Noah Laus scored his ninth goal of the season into the empty net to restore the Greyhounds’ three-goal cushion and secure the 5-2 victory.
Vermirovsky Delivers Between the Pipes
David Vermirovsky turned aside 29 of 31 shots for the Soo Greyhounds to earn the victory. At the other end, Brady Knowling made 20 saves on 24 shots for Saginaw in the loss.
The Greyhounds received contributions throughout the lineup, with Brown’s two-goal performance, Hayes’ three-point outing, and Croskery’s two assists helping lead the offensive effort. Soo’s four-goal outburst across the first two periods ultimately proved to be the difference despite Saginaw’s late push.
Greyhounds Prepare for Two More Home Games
The Soo Greyhounds will remain at the GFL Memorial Gardens for two more home games as they close out October and begin November.
Soo welcomes the Guelph Storm on Friday, October 30th, with puck drop scheduled for 7:07 p.m. The Greyhounds will then host the London Knights on Sunday, November 1st, for a 2:07 p.m. afternoon matchup.
With two more opportunities to defend home ice, the Greyhounds will look to build on Wednesday’s victory and maintain their position near the top of the OHL’s Western Conference standings.
