Spirit pound Hounds to extend series

The Saginaw Spirit are far from done in the western conference quarterfinal series with the Soo Greyhounds.

On Friday night in Saginaw, the Spirit crushed the Hounds 7-1 in game five as the Spirit's power play came back to life.

The Greyhounds lead in the best-of-seven affair is cut to 3-2 with the series returning to the Sault for game six on Sunday night at the Steelback Centre beginning at 7 p.m.

The Spirit power play, which was nearly invisible through the first four games, was clicking on this night and converted on four of nine chances.

Saginaw's three goals with the man advantage in the first period alone helped spark the homeside to a 4-0 lead through 20 minutes.

Taking a 5-0 cushion into the third period, the Spirit jumped ahead 7-0 before Brandon MacLean notched his first of the series for the Hounds with 2:11 remaining.

Saginaw went with a different look between the pipes with their backs against the wall as Marc-Andre Perron got in the call in favour of Ryan Daniels, who struggled in the Hounds win in game four.

Despite having his shutout bid spoiled late in the game, Perron was solid stopping 27 of 28 shots. Kyle Gajewski went the distance in goal for the Greyhounds and faced 33 shots.

Tom Pyatt shrugged off his offensive slump in the series by breaking out for two goals and two assists for the Spirit. Andrew Hotham and Jack Combs each scored two goals and assisted on another while Nigel Williams rounded out the scoring.

The winner of the series will face the London Knights in the western conference semi-finals. Meanwhile, the Plymouth Whalers and Kitchener Rangers will meet in other semi-final.

A seventh game, if necessary, is scheduled for Tuesday night in Saginaw.

*** GAME SUMMARY:

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 1 at Saginaw Spirit 7 Dow Event Center

1st Period 1. Saginaw, J. Combs (2) (T. Pyatt, T. Brodie) 3:40 2. Saginaw, A. Hotham (1) (C. Bass, R. McDonough) 7:52 PP 3. Saginaw, A. Hotham (2) (P. Asselin, C. Chappell) 17:31 PP 4. Saginaw, T. Pyatt (1) (A. Hotham, J. Combs) 19:00 PP

Penalties - M. Lyall Ssm (roughing) 7:26, M. Maunu Sag (tripping) 12:37, J. Godfrey Ssm (unsportsmanlike cnd.) 13:31, J. Mursak Sag (diving, 10-minute misconduct) 13:31, B. Biggers Ssm (slashing) 15:38, D. Kuchejda Ssm (holding) 17:41, T. Zaborsky Sag (slashing) 19:23, J. Tlusty Ssm (checking from behind, checking from behind) 19:43

2nd Period 5. Saginaw, N. Williams (2) 16:16 PP

Penalties - J. Livingston Ssm (roughing) 7:00, C. Chappell Sag (cross checking) 7:00, N. Williams Sag (interference) 7:09, A. Hotham Sag (delay of game) 7:40, D. Jeffrey Ssm (slashing) 14:26, J. Livingston Ssm (roughing) 19:14, R. McDonough Sag (holding) 19:24

3rd Period 6. Saginaw, T. Pyatt (2) (M. Maunu) 13:56 7. Saginaw, J. Combs (3) (T. Pyatt, N. Crawford) 17:00 8. Sault Ste. Marie, B. MacLean (1) (A. Desjardins, M. Quesnele) 17:49

Penalties - C. Thornton Ssm (hooking) 0:10, A. Hotham Sag (tripping) 1:24, J. Combs Sag (checking to the head) 4:28, Served by J. Moes Ssm (too many men) 11:20, J. Mursak Sag (holding) 18:55

SSM Shots: 5 14 9 TOTAL: 28 SAG Shots: 12 8 13 TOTAL: 33

Power Play Conversion Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 0-8. Saginaw Spirit 4-9.

Goaltenders Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Gajewski 3-2-0-0 Min: 60:00 SV: 26 GA: 7 [L] Saginaw Spirit Perron 1-0-0-0 Min: 60:00 SV: 27 GA: 1 [W]

Start : 7:15 PM End : 9:35 PM Attendance : 3529

Referee I: Mark Hicks (19) Referee II: Sean Reid (26) LINESMAN I: John Nowosatka (89) LINESMAN II: Joe Celestin (98)

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