SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) – The Saginaw Spirit defeated the Erie Otters 5-0 on Saturday, November 7th, at the Dow Event Center. Nikita Klepov scored his 100th OHL point in his return to the Dow, and Gensen Geldart scored his first of the season. Brady Knowling got his first shutout for the Spirit, with 27 saves. David Egorov made 25 saves on 30 shots for the Otters.
Shortly after a penalty kill, the Spirit opened the scoring with a powerplay goal halfway through the first period. Nikita Klepov laid the puck off to Dima Zhilkin, who carried it into the right circle. Zhilkin shot over Erie goaltender David Egorov’s right shoulder and into the back of the net for 1-0.
Nikita Klepov got his first goal on his return to Saginaw at 19:01. Dima Zhilkin sent Brody Pepoy down the left wing, who passed across to Klepov in the right circle. Unmarked, Klepov finished a one-timer over the goalie’s right shoulder to make it 2-0. This was Klepov’s 100th career OHL point.
The Spirit made it 3-0 in the end of the first period. Jacob Cloutier carried the puck down the right wing before cutting to the middle where Brody Pepoy was waiting. Pepoy shot a one-timer into the short side of the goal to get his ninth of the season.
After 1: ER 0 – 3 SAG (Total shots: 10 – 10)
Gensen Geldart scored his first of the season to make it 4-0 for Saginaw at 6:11. Brody Pepoy’s shot was saved before Geldart collected the loose puck to try and shoot himself. Geldart’s first shot from the middle was saved by David Egorov’s left pad before he shifted to the left side and slid it into the back of the net.
After 2: ER 0 – 4 SAG (2nd period shots: 12 – 13, Total shots: 22 – 23)
The Spirit lifted their lead to 5-0 at 13:11. Dima Zhilkin took the puck behind the Spirit blue line and carried it to the Erie goal. The Spirit captain chipped the puck into the top right corner of the net to get his 14th goal of the season unassisted.
Final: ER 0 – 5 SAG (3rd period shots: 5 – 7, Total shots: 27 – 30)
Powerplays: ER 0/5, SAG 1/4
Goaltenders: ER: David Egorov (25 saves, 30 shots, L), SAG: Brady Knowling (27 saves, 27 shots, W)
Saginaw’s next game will be against the Brampton Steelheads on Sunday, November 8th, at the Dow Event Center. Puck drop is at 5:30pm.
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