Greyhounds outgunned by Saginaw (video added)

Scoring wasn't a problem for the Soo Greyhounds on this night.

Just 24 hours after failing to dent the twine in a 1-0 loss to Niagara, the Hounds opened up the offense for five goals on Saturday night at the Steelback Centre.

But the Saginaw Spirit scored five goals in regulation time and then another in a shootout to record a 6-5 overtime victory over the Hounds.

Coming off back-to-back losses to cap a seven-game homestand, the locals will now hit the road for four games including a three-game swing beginning in Niagara on Thursday night.

The majority of the action with Saginaw happened in the first period when the two teams combined for seven goals. The Hounds took a lead once while Saginaw, after scoring first, rallied to take a 4-3 advantage into the intermission.

The opening period also caused some concern for the Hounds as defenseman Michael Quesnele was hit hard from behind by Jason McDonough, who was assessed a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct. McDonough also fought Tyler Cuthbert, who stepped in for his teammate. Quesnele did not return.

After allowing four goals on six shots, Hounds goaltender Kyle Gajewski was pulled in favour of newly acquired Stephane Cesar to start the second period.

Cesar allowed a goal 4:32 into the frame but settled in to shut down the Spirit until the shootout.

Dustin Jeffrey scored late in the second to cut the lead to 5-4 on a goal that needed a video review to confirm. The goal was never signalled and play continued until the buzzer, when the review was made. Time was reverted back to 1:03 remaining and Saginaw had to pull their players back out of the dressing room.

Aaron Alphonso scored his 19th goal of the season with 4:35 remaining in regulation time to send the Hounds into overtime.

After a scoreless overtime, the shootout began with Jeffrey and Brandon MacLean missing for the Hounds while Jack Combs came up empty for the Spirit.

Ryan McDonough then beat Cesar, leaving Wayne Simmonds as the Hounds last gasp. Simmonds was foiled on a deke giving Saginaw the win.

Josh Godfrey scored once and set up another for the Hounds while Quesnele and Andrew Campbell also scored. Jeffrey and Alphonso picked up assists while Matt Lyall and James Livingston set up two goals each.

Tomas Zaborsky led the Spirit with two goals and two assists while singles went to Tyler Murovich, Chris Chappell and Jack Combs.

The Soo outshot Saginaw 42-22.

The Hounds' lead in the west division shrinks to four points over the Windsor Spitfires, who were 7-6 winners in Owen Sound on Saturday.

After Thursday's game in Niagara, the Greyhounds visit Erie on Saturday and Brampton on Sunday.

Click here to view SooToday.com video highlight reel