The Saginaw Spirit will kick off the 2024 Memorial Cup with their game against Moose Jaw on Friday at 7:30pm EST.
The Saginaw Spirit may have been knocked out of the playoffs in the third round, but they were hands-down the second best team in the OHL this season. Saginaw being selected to host the 2024 Memorial Cup is well-deserving, and they are not a team that will quickly be pushed under the rug.
Saginaw kicks off their 2024 Memorial Cup run with their first game on Friday, May 24th against the Moose Jaw Warriors.
The Spirit will look to start with a bang and come out with a win against the WHL champs — who also have a very heavy roster. Matthew Savoie, Brayden Yager, Jagger Firkus, Denton Mateychuk all play for the Warriors, and Saginaw will have to find a way to combat this offensive firepower.
One thing that Saginaw has that Moose Jaw doesn't — depth.
The Spirit's forward core might be the deepest in all of major junior hockey. They have talented NHL prospects on all four lines, and they have the ability to get consistent contributions from all four lines.
Owen Beck, Josh Bloom, Hunter Haight, Michael Misa, Alex Christopoulos, Joey Willis, Calem Mangone. That is how Saginaw will combat the Warriors offence.
Nolan Lalonde ended the postseason on an impressive run for the Spirit, and he will likely be the one that they lean upon in the goal crease.
On the blue line, Rodwin Dionicio led the Spirit in scoring in the playoffs, on a point-per-game-pace. The recently signed Anaheim Ducks prospect will look to bring his game to another level in the Memorial Cup.
Another big factor for Saginaw will be Zayne Parekh. Parekh faced multiple injury issues in the OHL Playoffs, and if he is fully-healthy, his game will also likely reach another gear.
Moose Jaw's depth chart doesn't really match up to Saginaw's on paper. If the Spirit can find a way to shut down the Warriors' top guns up front, their depth will be able to dominate in favourable matchups.
The Spirit have battled adversity all season long, and the players now know what it is like to lose in a battle like they had against London in the Western Conference Finals.
Saginaw will be looking for revenge, and that tour begins on Friday night at the DOW Event Centre for the 2024 Memorial Cup.