Next time out, the games will have some additional meaning.
The Soo Greyhounds wrapped up Ontario Hockey League exhibition play on Saturday night with a 5-4 win over the Saginaw Spirt at the Dow Event Center.
A shorthanded goal by Justin Cloutier in the final minute of regulation lifted the Greyhounds to the win.
The goal game after the Spirit battled back from a 4-1 deficit to tie the game.
“Really gritty,” Greyhounds coach John Dean said when asked his thoughts on the win.
“That’s our third game in four nights after a long training camp month, a pretty demanding training camp,” Dean said. “(It was) pretty much the exact same lineup for all three nights so it’s not like guys were getting rest. I was pretty impressed with how we competed.”
“I know we got outshot and we blew the lead, but for us to find a way to win it shorthanded, I’m just really happy with the character of the group,” Dean added.
Owen Allard paced the Greyhounds offensively with a goal and a pair of assists in the win while Connor Toms and Marco Mignosa had a goal and an assist each.
Defenceman Matthew Virgilio had the other goal for the Greyhounds.
Goaltender Landon Miller made 36 saves.
Valentin Zhugin had two goals and two assists for the Spirit.
Michael Misa chipped in with a three-point night for Saginaw with a goal and two assists.
Saginaw goaltender Brett Fullerton stopped 14 shots.
The Greyhounds open regular season play on Friday night at home against the Flint Firebirds.