Photo courtesy of James Egan Photography

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON -
Wednesday evening marked the second half of a home-and-home series between the Hounds and I-75 rivals, the Saginaw Spirit.
Coming off Saturday's 3-2 overtime victory against Saginaw, the Hounds were starting off a three-game homestand.

MATT MURRAY entered the night with the most saves (143) of all OHL goaltenders and would get his 5th consecutive start of the season while Saginaw responded with Jake Paterson.

The Hounds came out in a flurry in the opening minute of the contest with three separate occasions of offensive zone presence.
Saginaw generated a early odd-man rush only to be turned aside by MURRAY and then NICK COUSINS had a breakaway, but neither chances generated the opening goal of the game.

Just 1:53 into the period the Hounds were tagged with a high-sticking minor but their penalty kill began strong holding the Spirit shotless in the two minute advantage.
Then before the period was ten minutes old a 5-on-3 powerplay for 1:14 came the Hounds way but nothing would materialize.

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER started the offense 11:43 into the game, notching his 4th of the season as an intended pass .  The goal came as the Hounds were shorthanded, and DARNELL NURSE picked up the lone assist.

Saginaw tied the game just over a minute later as Jimmy Lodge recorded his 1st of the year and the teams would skate the rest of the way leading to a 1-1 tie after the first period of play.

A late first period penalty saw the Hounds start the 2nd period shorthanded for the opening 1:54 but once again timely penalty kill left the game even.

Starting at the 3:40 mark, and in a span of just 2:50, the visiting Spirit built up a three goal lead (4-1).  Vincent Trocheck with a pair, including one while 4-on-4, and Grant Webermin had the Saginaw goals.

With the shots favouring the visiting Spirit 23-10, and the led the Hounds called for a timeout and it worked.

MARK PETACCIO pounced on a rebound from TYLER GANLY's point shot at the 6:30 mark to register his 1st goal of the year.

Then before the period would end (12:46 mark), JARED MCCANN cut in off the left wing before finding a small spot high on the net of Paterson to cut the deficit to 4-3 after forty minutes.
(Check out the video highlights on our homepage for full highlights including three replays of this goal).

As the third period began the Hounds were shorthanded and Saginaw would take advantage.  Carlos Amestoy fired a shot from the slot and the visiting club had a 5-3 lead.

Now cue the comeback.

Just over a minute later, NICK COUSIN'S pass from the corner to the left of the Saginaw goal would find ANDREW FRITSCH who went high glove side for his 2nd of the year to again cut the deficit to a goal.

PETACCIO, with his second goal of the night, tied the game at the 12:19 mark putting the rebound in behind Patterson.
And just 17 second later, COUSINS grabbed his 2nd game-winning goal of the year, driving to the net and going high on Patterson for a 6-5 Hounds victory.

MURRAY was once again spectacular in the Hounds net making 39 saves on the night, including two saves in the final seconds of the third.

With the victory the Hounds improved to 4-1-0-0 on the season heading into this Friday Night (Oct. 5) vs the Kitchener Rangers.
Game time is 7:07 p.m. at the Essar Centre and the night will be highlighted by the team's 3rd Annual Pink in the Rink ICEd Pink event.
Special event "Pink in the Rink" tshirts, pins and bracelets will be on-sale while a blind auction for special game jerseys will also take place with proceeds going to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

RED STAR THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1 - Michael Schumacher, SSM
2 - Vincent Trocheck, SAG
3 - Matt Murray, SSM

DICKIE'S HARDEST WORKING HOUND
#12 Mark Petaccio

ATTENDANCE - 4,066