SAGINAW, Mich. (Interstat) — Saginaw will host Niagara on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in a minor league hockey matchup organized by the Ontario Hockey League at Dow Event Center. The Spirit enter with a 0-2-0 record, while the IceDogs are 1-1-0. Saginaw is looking for its first win of the season after opening with two one-goal losses. Niagara is trying to build on a convincing home victory and move above .500.

Niagara’s most recent game was a 4-1 home win over Brampton on Saturday, Sept. 19. Reyth Smith led the IceDogs with two goals, one assist and five shots on goal. Noah Read added three assists and three shots, while Callum Cheynowski scored once and recorded four shots. Niagara’s other result this season was a 3-1 loss at Brantford on Friday, Sept. 18. Smith recorded two penalty minutes in that contest.

Saginaw’s latest outing was a 5-4 home loss to Flint on Saturday, Sept. 19. Dima Zhilkin paced the Spirit with one goal, two assists, seven shots on goal and two penalty minutes. Brody Pepoy scored once and took four shots, while Braidy Wassilyn finished with one goal, one assist and two shots. Saginaw’s first game was a 5-4 overtime loss at Soo Greyhounds on Friday, Sept. 18, when Zhilkin scored twice and put six shots on net.

Smith is the player to watch for Niagara. The forward produced two goals and one assist in the win over Brampton and has been central to the IceDogs’ early offense. Zhilkin is the player to watch for Saginaw. The forward has opened the season with three goals and two assists across two games, including a two-goal effort at Soo and a three-point night against Flint.

Saginaw has scored eight goals and allowed 10 through two games. Niagara has scored five and allowed four. The Spirit’s two defeats both came by one goal, including an overtime setback at Soo Greyhounds and a one-goal home loss to Flint. The IceDogs split their first two games, falling at Brantford before returning home to beat Brampton. Niagara received scoring balance in that victory, with Smith and Cheynowski finishing plays and Read setting up teammates.

The IceDogs will remain on the road after this matchup, visiting Flint on Saturday, Sept. 26, Barrie on Thursday, Oct. 1, and Sudbury on Friday, Oct. 2. The Spirit will host Windsor on Saturday, Sept. 26, before traveling to Kitchener on Friday, Oct. 2, and Brampton on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Saginaw 3, Niagara 2.