A former Chatham Maroon is now an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) winning goaltender.
Kaleb Papineau started the game for Saginaw on Sunday against the Owen Sound Attack, helping lead the Spirit to a 5-4 win in a shootout.
"I kind of just blacked out (after winning)," joked Papineau.
The 18-year-old made 28 saves which included three in overtime. In the extra period, Papineau made a save off of Owen Sound forward Harry Nansi which was later credited by the OHL as the save of the night.
Despite that, the shootout is where Papineau truly shined as he stopped seven of the eight shooters.
"I was excited it went to a shootout, I feel like I'm really calm in them," he said.
Papineau played in 24 games for the Chatham Maroons during the 2023/24 season. He ended up winning 10 games, posting a .893 save percentage and 3.69 goals against average. Two of the wins were also shutouts.
His time in Chatham is something Papineau considers a good part of his career, adding the Maroons helped him to get this point.
He also said a couple of his former teammates reached out after the game to congratulate him on the win.
The Spirit have two road games this weekend against Owen Sound and Kitchener. Papineau doesn't know if he'll play in either, noting he'll be ready if called on.
