Six different players score goals in 6-3 win
LONDON, ON -- The Saginaw Spirit beat the London Knights 6-3 Sunday afternoon in London, Ontario to earn their second consecutive victory of the new year. Jordan Skellett earned the game’s first star honors with a goal and an assists while Jordan Szwarz’s single goal and single assist tallies earned him the third star honors. The Spirit move their record to19-15-3-1 for 42 points on the season.
The Spirit jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the first period. Defenseman Ryan O’Connor tallied the opening goal at the 3:49 mark, courtesy assists from defenseman Mitch Fillman and center Tyler Murovich. Center Barry Sanderson moved the score to 2-0 with a goal at 14:09 to round out the first frame. Center Vince Trocheck and defenseman Alex Lepkowski assisted on the play.
Saginaw carried its momentum into the second period with three consecutive goals, the first coming from winger Joe Pleckaitis after assists from winger Josh Shalla and winger Jordan Skellett at 6:24. Murovich advance the Spirit lead to 4-0 with a goal at the 7:12 mark, courtesy an assist from winger Jordan Szwarz (NHL PHOENIX COYOTES). Skellett notched the third goal of the frame :45 seconds later, assisted by Pleckaitis.
The Knights would mount a counter attack later in the second period and into the third, posting three straight goals. Center Michael MacDonald scored short handed at 10:08 in the second, thanks to an assist from center Justin Taylor. Center Dominic DeSando’s third goal of the season, this one assisted by Fox and Griffith, moved the score to 5-2 with a goal at the 15:35 mark. London started the third period by adding another short handed goal to the score sheet, this one by Fox at 3:39. MacDonald and D’Orazio assisted on the goal, which was Fox’s first OHL career goal.
Saginaw would put the brakes on the Knights offense however, with Szwarz scoring his thirteenth of the season on the power play at 8:46. The goal, the game’s final tally to finalize a score of 6-3 Saginaw, was assisted by Trocheck and Sanderson.
Saginaw Spirit netminder Edward Pasquale (NHL ATLANTA TRASHERS) posted 38 saves on 41 shots, while the Knights goaltending tandem of Michael Houser (20 saves on 24 shots) and Michael Hutchinson (5 saves on 7 shots) posted a combined 25 saves on 31 shots.
For a complete OHL game sheet, please visit www.ontariohockeyleague.com
Tickets are on sale now! The Spirit host home games on Friday, January 8 against the Guelph Storm and Saturday, January 9 against the Owen Sound Attack. Both games start at 7:11 PM. For more information, please contact the Official Saginaw Spirit Ticket and Merchandise Store located at 5789 State Street in Saginaw or call 989-497-7747.
