Mistakes costly in battle of West Division leaders

They say close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

The Soo Greyhounds almost managed to pick up at least a point in the Ontario Hockey League standings, but not converting on some late-game chances meant a tough end to the 2023 portion of their schedule on Sunday afternoon in a 4-3 loss to the Saginaw Spirit at the GFL Memorial Gardens.

A pair of goals in the third period for the Spirit turned into the difference in the game and Greyhounds coach John Dean called them “unacceptable.”

“It was a good hockey game with the exception of that,” Dean said. “A lot of good things, but 50-50 battles, Saginaw won that competition and another game where we lose the special teams battle.”

“All things considered, it was a fun game to watch,” Dean said. “I didn’t love our zone time in against. We gave them too much zone time and our 50-50 battles and stick checks were an issue, but at the same time it was a good hockey game.”

“It was some mental lapses against a top team,” added Greyhounds forward Jack Beck. “I feel like it’s when we get scored on, it’s mental lapses.”

“I felt like we played a pretty solid game,” Beck added. “Against a good team like that, one thing goes the other way and good teams find a way to score and that’s what they do.”

Beck also said he felt the game had “a playoff atmosphere.”

The Spirit took advantage early in each of the second and third periods to jump on the Greyhounds, scoring in the early stages of both frames.

While his team has a penchant for surrendering goals shortly after scoring early in periods, Saginaw coach Chris Lazary credited his team for holding on in the third period while playing with the lead.

“Our biggest thing is we score and then we give one up so quick. We’re like the (Toronto Maple Leafs),” Lazary joked.

“To start the third like that (with an early goal), we do a good job of winning a puck and getting it out front and score. The energy there, you get up. You get that goal and playing with a lead’s a lot easier.”

Lazary also said he was “proud” of his team in the game.

“It’s a grind,” Lazary said. “We got in here at 3 a.m. to unload (after playing at home last night). We’re in the hotel by 3:20, 3:30. By the time we actually settle and fall asleep, it’s closer to 4 and then you’re up at 10:45 for your meal and then you’re over here and playing again. It’s not easy, but every team goes through it. It’s good for our guys to dig in and just give everything they have. We needed everyone on our bench to do it.”

Marco Mignosa got the Greyhounds on the board first as he beat Spirit starter Andrew Oke stick side through traffic in close at 13:24 of the opening period.

Saginaw tied the game 63 seconds into the second period as Michael Misa scored on a loose puck in the crease after Charlie Schenkel made back-to-back saves on Misa from the slot and Braden Hache from the top of the left circle.

Saginaw made it a 2-1 game at 8:14 as Sebastien Gervais beat Schenkel with a one-timer from the right circle on a cross-ice pass from Zayne Parekh on the power play.

Jack Beck tied the game 22 seconds later when he scored on a loose puck after Oke stopped Jordan D’Intino from the high slot initially.

The Spirit retook the lead 24 seconds into the third period when Misa found himself alone in the slot and beat Schenkel after the latter made a great save on Dean Loukus initially.

Ethan Hay made it a 4-2 game at 10:42 when he took a pass in the slot and beat Schenkel 5-hole.

After pulling Schenkel for an extra attacker with just over four minutes to go in regulation, the Greyhounds pulled back to within one as Beck beat Oke stick side through traffic with 3:52 to go.

Despite a late flurry, which included Beck missing the net with three seconds left on the clock, the Greyhounds fell short.

“I loved our empty net play,” Dean said of the late push. “(Assistant Coach Tyler Ertel) did a good job getting the guys organized and our older guys did a great job. I’m really happy with our push at the end.”

“The 6-on-5, our weakside winger kept going out and not staying in the slot, so they kept hitting that seam,” Lazary said. “Luckily they broke a stick on one (and) they mishandle a puck on another.”

Beck’s two-goal day paced the Greyhounds offensively while Schenkel made 20 saves.

Loukus assisted on three goals for the Spirit in the win.

In addition to the two-goal performance from Misa, Gervais also had two points with a goal and an assist for Saginaw.

Oke made 23 saves.

The Greyhounds return to action Wednesday night on the road in Oshawa against the Generals. The team is also slated to take on the Guelph Storm in Guelph on Friday and the Barrie Colts on Saturday.

The Greyhounds will take a 23-10-2-1 record on the road and remain in top spot in the OHL’s West Division ahead of Saginaw, though the spread is now four points following Sunday’s result.

The Greyhounds also continue to trail the Kitchener Rangers by three points in the Western Conference standings after the Rangers won last night. The Rangers are slated to face the Generals in Oshawa on Monday afternoon.

The win improves Saginaw’s record to 22-10-0-1 on the season and the team has three games in hand on the Greyhounds.