Dante Salituro got the go-ahead goal in the London Knights' 4-3 win over the Saginaw Spirit Saturday night at the Dow Event Center.
The win not only gave the Knights a first-place standing in the OHL Midwest Division, but also a win for head coach Dale Hunter in his 1000th game behind the Knights bench.
Sam Miletic opened the scoring for London at 4:06 in the opening period with his 22nd goal of the season. Four minutes and 40 seconds later, Saginaw tied it up when Kyle Bollers put it in the net for his second goal of the year. However, the Knights regained the lead before the first intermission with a Cliff Pu goal, his 27th of the campaign.
The Knights picked up where they left off in the second period as Evan Bouchard's goal at 61 seconds into the frame put London up 3-1. The Spirit then began to climb back into things. Hayden Hodgson's 21st goal of the season put Saginaw within one at 15:46, then Matthew Kreis had the equalizer at 18:21.
The score was tied at three apiece going into the second interval and would remain that way until 15:22 of the third period, thanks to Salituro's game-winning goal.
Jordan Kooy had 26 saves in goal for the Knights while Evan Cormier stopped 29 shots in net for Saginaw.
The Knights continue their Michigan jaunt Sunday afternoon when they visit the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.