Nick Moutrey’s goal with eight seconds remaining in overtime snapped a 2-2 tie and the Saginaw Spirit defeated the Plymouth Whalers, 3-2, in an Ontario Hockey League game played Friday night before 2,990 at Compuware Arena.
Plymouth (14-8-4-3, 35 points) remains in second place in the OHL’s West Division, two points behind the first-place Sarnia Sting (17-11-0-3, 37 points) who lost, 3-2 in a shootout, against Windsor on Friday.
Tonight’s game was tied or a one-goal differential the entire 64:52. Tom Wilson (6) scored a goal and added an assist for Plymouth as the game’s second star. Ryan Hartman (12) scored the other Plymouth goal. Goaltender Matt Mahalak stopped 30-of-33 shots for the Whalers.
Justin Kea scored twice (9-10) as the game’s first star for Saginaw, including the equalizer for the Spirit with 1:57 left in regulation. Moutrey’s goal is his ninth of the season. Detroit Red Wings draft choice Jake Paterson earned third star honors for Saginaw in stopping 44-of-46 shots.
In all, Plymouth outshot Saginaw, 46-33.
Plymouth remains at home Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. at Compuware Arena against the Oshawa Generals (6:45 p.m., 88.1 FM WSDP).
