Despite losing to Sudbury on Friday, the Saginaw Spirit were able to clinch the second playoff spot with other results across the league.
The second-placed Saginaw Spirit have officially clinched a spot in the 2024 OHL Playoffs — despite losing to the Wolves on Friday.
With the help of other results across the league — including Guelph, London, & Owen Sound losing — the Saginaw Spirit have secured their ticket to the postseason.
The Memorial Cup hosts have overcome another hurdle in their journey to the Memorial Cup. Sure, Saginaw gets a buy into the final tournament, but they want to ensure that they deserve to be there.
On paper, Saginaw might just be the best team in the league. From Owen Beck, Michael Misa, & Hunter Haight up front, to Zayne Parekh & Rodwin Dionicio on the backend, the Spirit have never-ending offence.
Parekh is having an enormous draft eligible season where he is breaking lots of records, and sits third overall in league scoring amongst all OHLers.
In goal, they are riding with a 1A/1B type of situation with Andrew Oke and Nolan Lalonde. They have two fringe starting goalies — hoping for one to get hot.
The Spirit sit second in the Western Conference with 77 points and a 38-14-1 record — they trail only the London Knights. Saginaw won't have an easy ride to the OHL Championship, as they will likely have to get through London, and maybe the Soo or Kitchener.
With the roster and pure amount of talent that the Spirit have, anything is possible. If they can find their groove, allow all of their newly acquired pieces to gel, and build chemistry, they will be unstoppable.