UPDATE: The Saginaw Spirit have made headlines with an astonishing comeback, overcoming a 3-0 deficit to triumph 5-3 against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the 2025 OHL season opener on October 6, 2025. This thrilling victory, which took place at the Soo, sets the stage for an electrifying home opener against the Flint Firebirds tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. at the Dow Event Center.
The Greyhounds surged ahead early, with goals from Charlie Hilton, Jakub Winkelhofer, and Jordan Charron putting them firmly in control after the first period. However, the Spirit displayed resilience, scoring five unanswered goals to flip the script entirely.
Goaltender Stepan Shurygin showcased a stellar performance, stopping all 18 shots he faced in the final two periods, ultimately securing a total of 26 saves for the game. The turning point for the Spirit came when Dimian Zhilkin netted the team’s first goal of the season on a short-handed penalty shot in the second period, igniting a spark that the team would not extinguish.
Within moments, 2025 draft pick Levin Harper contributed to the comeback, assisted by Nikita Klepov and Egor Barabanov, narrowing the Greyhounds’ lead to 3-2 heading into the decisive third period. The Spirit continued their momentum as Barabanov scored a power-play goal to tie the game, with assists from Zhilkin and Harper.
Zhilkin then became the hero of the night, scoring the game-winning goal with help from Trevor Theuer and Graydon Jones. To seal the victory, Nikita Klepov added a final power-play goal, assisted by Barabanov and James Guo. The Spirit capitalized on their power plays, going 2-for-5, while shutting down the Greyhounds, who failed to score on all six of their power-play opportunities.
This victory not only boosts team morale but also sets a promising tone for the Spirit’s upcoming season. Fans are eagerly awaiting the next match against the Flint Firebirds, where the Spirit will look to carry this momentum into their home arena.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Saginaw Spirit aim to build on this incredible comeback and continue their pursuit of victory in the OHL.
