Spirit snap Spitfires' six-game winning streak with 5-2 triumph
WINDSOR, ON -- The Saginaw Spirit beat the Windsor Spitfires by a score of 5-2 Saturday night at the WFCU Centre of Windsor, wrapping up the first half of the season with an OHL Western Conference high 50 points and 23-7-3-1 record. Spirit goalie Mavric Parks earned the game’s first star honors for the second consecutive night thanks to a 43 save effort, while center John McFarland earned the third star honors with a goal and an assist. The Spirit return to action at The Dow Event Center of Saginaw on December 29 against the Erie Otters after a short holiday break.
The Spirit sized a three goal advantage early in the game, starting with center Vincent Trocheck scoring his fifteenth goal of the season at 6:25 in the first from center John McFarland. McFarland would make it 2-0 Spirit with a shorthanded tally at 1:06 in the second period, notching his first goal with the Spirit since arriving via trade a week ago. Defensemen Ryan O’Connor and Ben Chiarot assisted on the goal. Rookie center Justin Kea would round out Saginaw’s early scoring stint, notching his second of the season at 9:05 in the second from center Ray Huether and Chiarot. Huether, a 94-born rookie called up for the weekend, notched his first OHL career point with the assist.
The Spitfires would quickly blunt the Spirit’s momentum however, scoring their first goal of the game moments after Kea’s goal. Defenseman Craig Duininck tallied a goal at 9:23 in the second to move the score to 3-1, courtesy assists from winger Derek Lanoue and center Andrew Khokhlachev. Duininck would answer the call again later in the game, scoring his second goal of the night at 3:50 in the third period. Center Stephen Johnston and winger Kenny Ryan assisted on the power play goal.
The Spirit upped the ante later in the third period, with winger Jordan Szwarz scoring an unassisted goal at 16:04 right from the face-off to make it 4-2 Saginaw. Szwarz added a second insurance marker later in the period, knocking in an empty net goal at 19:05 to make it 5-2. The shorthanded goal was assisted by defenseman Joe Underwood.
Spirit goalie Mavric Parks earned the game’s first star honors with 43 saves on 45 shots, while Spitfires netminder Troy Passingham posted 20 saves on 24 shots.
