The Saginaw Spirit dominated in the Memorial Cup semi-final against Moose Jaw, and a large factor was the four goals scored by their 4th line.
Ethan Hay, Sebastian Gervais, and Lincoln Moore have been locked in as Saginaw's 4th line for quite some time, leading back to the beginning of the OHL playoffs. These three were critical in Saginaw's win in the Memorial Cup semi-final, by putting up four goals.
A good team's fourth line always has an identity. They are typically put on the ice to shut down the opposition, make safe plays, and settle the game down. Tonight, Saginaw's fourth line exploded offensively — something we don't see often.
Saginaw's fourth line hasn't seen a ton of ice time throughout this Memorial Cup so far, but their performance in the semi-final game forced their coach to keep putting them on the ice.
Each of these three are 2005 born players, but each have had very different paths to their full-time roles in the OHL.
This line's centre is Ethan Hay, a 7th round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2023 NHL Draft. Hay has always been that rock-solid, reliable, smart two-way bottom-six centre that every team needs. Tampa Bay took a flyer on Hay to be that at the NHL level, and he is off to a great start on his development path.
Hay put up 2 goals and 2 assists in this game — a type of stat line that we very rarely see from him.
Lincoln Moore was a U18 Draft Pick by the Saginaw Spirit — a draft that we typically don't see much upside from. There are success stories with Dallas Stars prospect Gavin White and Saginaw teammate Calem Mangone being selected in this draft, and Moore is another name to add to that list.
In his second season in the OHL with Saginaw, Moore has found a role and stuck to it this season. He has played his bottom-six role to a tee, and he has been a consistent factor for the Spirit though their postseason run.
He will be set to have a "breakout" year next season, as many of Saginaw's top stars will be leaving and his role will be elevated.
Sebastian Gervais is an incredibly hard-working forward who has been with Saginaw for the last three seasons. Gervais had a career high 34 points in 68 games this year, and started higher in the lineup in the first half of the season. Due to all of Saginaw's acquisitions, he was forced to find a role in the bottom-six.
Gervais has a high motor, and he never gives up on plays. He has a prime bottom-six play style, and it wouldn't be surprising to see an NHL team give him an opportunity in the next couple of seasons.
Hay, Moore, and Gervais were the difference makers in Saginaw's semi-final win against the Moose Jaw Warriors, and they exceeded expectations as a fourth line in this game.
Four goals from any fourth line at any level is astounding, but especially on the biggest stage in junior hockey at the Memorial Cup.