Saginaw, Michigan – The Saginaw Spirit faced the Erie Otters on Friday, November 15, losing by a score of 7-5.

Dima Zhilkin scored his first career OHL goal and Joey Willis stayed hot with a late equalizer. Andrew Oke got the start in net for Saginaw, recording 22 saves on 28 shots. Noah Erliden was Erie’s starting goaltender, making 24 saves on 29 shots.

The Otters opened the scoring Friday with Carey Terrance putting one into the back of the net on a broken play. Wesley Royston and Dylan Edwards were credited with the assists as Erie took a 1-0 lead at 12:18 of the first period.

After 1: SAG 0 – 1 ER (Total shots: 9 – 11)

Just 25 seconds into the second period, Erie increased its lead on the power play. Sam Alfano slipped the puck into Andrew’s five holes and was assisted by Dylan Edwards and Matthew Schaefer.

Three minutes later, the Otters put another on the board as Carey Terrance fired a shot from the blue line that found the top of the net. Wesley Royston and Ty Henry were credited with assists as the Otters took a 3-0 lead.

The Spirit lit the lamp while on the power play as Nic Sima fired a one-timer past Noah Erliden’s blocker for his fifth goal of the season. Calem Mangone collected an assist on his beautiful one-time pass and James Guo also collected an assist.

After the faceoff, Zayne Parekh fired a shot into the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season just 20 seconds after the power play goal. Michael Misa had an assist as the Spirit cut Erie’s lead to 3-2.

Erie added another on the penalty kill as Carey Terrance scored his second of the night on a breakaway. Nathan Sauder was credited with an assist.

Saginaw benefited again on the power play as Ethan Hay buried a one-time pass from Joey Willis for his sixth goal of the season. Kristian Epperson also had an assist as the Spirit closed in late in the second period.

After 2: SAG 3 – 4 ER (2nd period shots: 9 – 6 Total shots: 19 – 17)

The Otters scored first in the third period thanks to Wesley Royston who found the back of the net 3:40 into the period. Gabriel Frasca and Matthew Schaefer recorded the assists as Erie increased its lead to 5-3.

Dima Zhilkin grabbed a rebound in front of the net for his first career OHL goal. Liam Storch and Sebastien Gervais had the assists to bring the Spirit within one with 7:38 to play.

With 1:52 left in regulation, Joey Willis sent the puck into the back of the net to tie the game with the extra attacker. Zayne Parekh and Kristian Epperson each had an assist.

Erie regained the lead 40 seconds later as Dylan Edwards found the back of the net, beating Oke low to the glove side.

As time expired, Carey Terrance scored an empty-net goal for his fourth of the night and a 7-5 lead for the Otters.

FINAL: SAG 5 – 7 ER (3rd period shots 10 – 12 total shots: 29 – 29)

Power plays: SAG 3/7 ER 1/1

Goalkeepers: SAG Andrew Oke (22 saves / 28 shots left) ER Noah Erliden (24 saves / 29 shots left)

Saginaw will close out the weekend on Saturday, November 16 when they take on the Sarnia Sting at the Dow Event Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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