Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
The Soo Greyhounds opened their 2026–2027 Ontario Hockey League regular season in dramatic fashion Friday night at the Memorial Gardens in Sault Ste. Marie, battling the Saginaw Spirit to an exciting overtime victory.
The Greyhounds entered the contest looking to build on their preseason success against the Spirit after defeating Saginaw in a September 13 afternoon preseason matinee in Sault Ste. Marie. Friday’s regular-season opener once again featured plenty of offensive fireworks between the two clubs.
Laus Lights the Lamp Three Times in the First
The Greyhounds came out flying in the opening period, with Noah Laus quickly making his presence felt.
At 3:07, Laus opened the scoring with his first goal of the season, with Travis Hayes picking up the lone assist to give the Greyhounds an early 1–0 advantage.
The Spirit answered just over a minute later. At 4:15, Braidy Wassilyn scored his first of the season, with Levi Harper and Dmitry Savin assisting, tying the game at 1–1.
Laus wasn’t finished.
At 6:40, the Greyhounds forward struck again, scoring his second of the game and second of the season. Quinn McKenzie recorded the assist as Soo regained the lead.
Just 1:41 later, Laus completed the hat trick.
At 8:21, Laus scored his third goal of the night and third of the season, with McKenzie and Christopher Weiss providing the helpers. The three-goal outburst gave the Greyhounds a 3–1 lead and sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
Laus’ three-goal first period put him at the centre of the Greyhounds’ offensive attack from the opening faceoff.
Spirit Storm Back in the Third
After a scoreless second period, Saginaw came roaring back in the third.
At 8:53, Gordei Khotkov scored his first goal of the season, assisted by Brody Pepoy and Kade Meyer, cutting the Greyhounds’ lead to 3–2.
The Spirit continued to apply pressure and eventually pulled even on the power play.
At 12:35, Dima Zhilkin scored his first of the season with Harper and Pepoy picking up the assists, tying the game at 3–3.
The Greyhounds answered just 37 seconds later.
At 13:12, Ryan Kaczynski restored Soo’s lead with his first goal of the season. Trevor Daley Jr. and Jeremy Martin recorded the assists as the Greyhounds moved back in front 4–3.
However, Saginaw refused to go away.
With just 1:47 remaining in regulation, Zhilkin scored his second goal of the night and second of the season, with Braidy Wassilyn and Levi Harper assisting.
The late marker evened the contest at 4–4 and sent the season opener to overtime.
Daley Jr. Delivers in Overtime
The extra period provided the Greyhounds with the opportunity to close out the night, and they took advantage.
Just 1:18 into overtime, Trevor Daley Jr. scored his first goal of the season to give Soo the 5–4 victory.
Jakub Winkelhofer and Noah Laus collected the assists on the overtime winner, with the goal coming on the power play.
The overtime marker capped off an impressive four-point night for Laus, who finished the contest with three goals and an assist.
Miller Makes 25 Saves
Veteran goaltender Landon Miller got the start between the pipes for the Greyhounds and turned aside 25 of the 29 shots he faced.
At the other end of the ice, Saginaw goaltender Egor Sokolov made 26 saves on 31 shots.
Despite surrendering a late third-period lead, the Greyhounds found a way to secure the two points in their first regular-season game of the 2026–2027 campaign.
The 5–4 overtime victory gives Soo an important opening-night win and continues what has been a productive stretch against the Spirit dating back to their preseason meeting.
Greyhounds Back Saturday Night
The Greyhounds won’t have to wait long before returning to the ice.
Soo will host the Sarnia Sting on Saturday, September 19, with puck drop scheduled for 7:07 p.m. at the GFL Memorial Gardens.
Meanwhile, the Saginaw Spirit will return home Saturday night, hosting the Flint Firebirds in a 7:05 p.m. start.
For the Greyhounds, Friday’s overtime thriller provided an exciting start to the new OHL regular season, with Laus’ hat trick and Daley Jr.’s overtime winner leading the way in front of the home crowd.
