Saginaw splits season series with Ottawa
OTTAWA, ON -- The Saginaw Spirit faced off against the Ottawa 67’s Sunday afternoon at the Urbandale Centre, earning a 5-2 victory to cap off the team’s three-game weekend.
Center Vincent Trocheck led the way for the Spirit with two goals in the tilt. He was aided by winger Josh Shalla, who also added a goal in the effort. The game moves the team’s record to 8-4-2-0, with 16 points on the season.
The Spirit opened the scoring in the first period with a goal from winger Josh Shalla at 8:39. Shalla, who leads the team with 12 goals, was assisted on the score by defenseman T.J. Brodie (NHL CALGARY FLAMES) and center Jordan Skellett. Ottawa tied the game at 12:10 with a goal from winger Tyler Toffoli, assisted by center Ryan Martindale. The first period ended with the score 1-1.
Saginaw struck first in the second period with a goal at the 7:18 mark, coming from center Vincent Trocheck. Wingers Garret Ross and Barry Sanderson assisted on the score. Ottawa center Cody Lindsay added a goal for the 67’s,at 12:58, with assists credited to defenseman Travis Gibbons and winger Thomas Nesbitt, The score was tied 2-2 after two periods of play.
The Spirit wasted no time getting on the board in the third, with center Tyler Murovich knocking in a goal 0:42 into the period. Winger Joe Pleckaitis assisted on the Spirit captain’s goal, giving Saginaw a 3-2 lead. Pleckaitis padded the Spirit lead late in the period with a goal at 18:38, assisted by winger Jordan Szwarz (NHL PHEONIX COYOTES) and defenseman Nick Crawford (NHL BUFFALO SABRES). Saginaw found the net again 12 seconds later, as Trocheck tallied his second goal of the game. Defenseman Cody Sol (NHL ATLANTA THRASHERS) assisted on the goal at 18:50, giving the Spirit a 5-2 victory.
Spirit goaltender Edward Pasquale (NHL ATLANTA THRASHERS) posted 25 saves on 27 shots, while Ottawa goalie Petr Mrazek finished the game with 39 saves on 44 shots.
