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Saginaw Spirit’s Eric Locke is seen in this file photo.Terry Wilson

The Saginaw Spirit outlasted the Plymouth Whalers in a high-scoring affair Wednesday.

Eric Locke scored two third-period goals, including the winner, as Saginaw held on to beat Plymouth 8-7 in Ontario Hockey League action.

The teams put on a wild offensive display, combining for 12 goals and a 6-6 tie after 40 minutes.

Jimmy Lodge and Vincent Trocheck each had two goals in the opening period for Saginaw (9-10-3).

Justin Kea, Andrey Alexeev also scored for the Spirit, while Dalton Young helped out with three assists.

Stefan Noesen and Matt Mistele scored twice for Plymouth (10-7-3). Tom Wilson, Rickard Rakell and Ryan Hartman also scored for the Whalers.

Jake Paterson stopped 30 shots for Saginaw.

Matt Mahalak started in goal for Plymouth and was pulled at 12:23 of the first period after allowing three goals on nine shots. Riley Corbin finished the game allowing five goals on 21 shots.

Lodge opened the scoring after picking up a loose puck in front and beating Mahalak glove side at 1:03.

Plymouth tied at 7:38, as Rakell scored on his back hand after a save by Paterson.

Less then two minutes later the Spirit were back in front after Trocheck scored his first of two goals after receiving a pass from Lodge. Saginaw went up 3-1 on Lodge's second goal with a wristshot from the slot at 12:23. That prompted a Plymouth goalie change as Corbin replace Mahalak.

Trocheck put the Spirit up by three with a power-play goal, tipping a point shot from Young at 16:31. The Whalers narrowed the margin 64 seconds later on a goal from Hartman as the teams combined for six goals in the opening period.

For the second straight period the teams once again combined for another six goals as the period ended in a 6-6 tie.

Locke put the Spirit ahead for good with his two goals in the third period, with Mistele closing the gap to one at 14:50.

Elsewhere in the OHL it was: Niagara 5 Erie 2; Belleville 2 Guelph 1 (SO) and Brampton 4 Sudbury 2.

IceDogs 5 Otters 2

At Erie, Pa., Brett Ritchie had a goal and two assists as Niagara (14-7-1) downed the Otters (6-12-3).

Bulls 2 Storm 1 (SO)

At Belleville, Ont., Malcolm Subban made 35 saves as the Bulls (11-6-3) recorded a shootout win over Guelph (12-8-2).

Battalion 4 Wolves 2

At Sudbury, Ont., Mike Amadio, Barclay Goodrow, Blake Clarke and Matt MacLeod scored for Brampton (9-8-5). Joshua Leivo and Nathan Pancel replied for the Wolves (8-12-2).

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