Teams face-off Friday in Saginaw
PLYMOUTH -- The Saginaw Spirit suffered a 6-2 loss to cross-state division rivals the Plymouth Whalers Thursday night.
The Whalers win evened up the eight game season series at a win apiece between the two teams - with the Spirit having taken the first game 6-1 in late September - and the two teams will square off again this Friday at The Dow Event Center in Saginaw. The game saw goal scoring from Jordan Skellett and Brad Walch, the later of which who tallied his first OHL goal in the effort. The Spirit are ranked second in the OHL West Division with 34 points and a record of 16-10-2-0.
The Whalers secured a three goal lead in the opening frame. Center Tyler Seguin tallied his first goal of the night at 6:36 in the first, courtesy assists from center A.J. Jenks (NHL FLORIDA PANTHERS) and center Tyler G. Brown. Jenks continued with a goal minutes later, taking the score to 2-0 Plymouth. Brown earned the assist on the goal, his second of the night. First period scoring was wrapped up by center Garrett Meurs, who scored at 15:54 off of an assist from defenseman Colin MacDonald and center Joe Gaynor. The Whalers secured a 3-0 lead heading into the second period.
Seguin opened the second period with a power play marker at 3:43 in the frame, assisted by defenseman Michal Jordan (NHL CAROLINA HURRICANES). The Spirit would respond with their first goal of the night at 10:11 in the second to take the score to 4-1. Winger Jordan Skellett tallied a power play marker that was assisted by center Ivan Telegin and winger Josh Shalla. The Whalers would continue to hold the advantage in the period, with center Robbie Czarnik scoring his first OHL goal at 19:38 courtesy an assist from winger Josh Brittain (NHL ANAHEIM DUCKS). The second period ended with the Whalers holding a 5-1 lead.
For the third time in the game the period started with the Whalers’ Seguin scoring a goal, this one marking his fourth hat trick of the season. Jenks and Gaynor assisted on the goal, which came at 8:41 in the third. Saginaw’s Brad Walch would score his first OHL goal at 11:24 in the frame, a power play marker that was assisted by center Vince Trocheck. The Whalers would stymie any further Spirit goal scoring however, posting a 6-2 victory in regulation.
Spirit netminder Edward Pasquale (NHL ATLANTA TRASHERS) posted 18 saves on 22 shots before leaving the game in favor of Anthony Peters, who earned 13 saves on 15 shots. Whalers goalie Matt Hackett (NHL MINNESOTA WILD) stopped 31 of 33 shots.
For more information and for the official game sheet, please visit www.ontariohockeyleague.com
The Saginaw Spirit host two home games this weekend, the first on Friday night against the Plymouth Whalers at 7:11 PM. The night features an appearance from the Maytag Man, who will be at the game to give away a Maytag washer and dryer! Friday is also a WNEM TV5 5-for-5 Night – get a hot dog, Pepsi, popcorn, candy bar and Spirit merchandise item for only $5.00 with a special coupon available at WNEM.com. The Mysterians will be performing in the Bud Light Blue Line Club!
Saturday night will see the Spirit taking on the London Knights at 7:11 PM and features the annual Meijer Teddy Bear Toss! Fans can throw a teddy bear onto the ice following the first Spirit goal of the game, with the bears being donated to Toys for Tots, Saginaw Area First Responders and the Covenant HealthCare Pediatrics Ward. Citadel Broadcasting personalities will be selling bears in the atrium for only $5.00, with the proceeds going to benefit the Saginaw East Side Soup Kitchen. The night also features the Zehnders of Frankenmuth Mascot Olympics – see some of your favorite mascots join Sammy Spirit and Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle for a bout of mascot dodge ball right at center ice!
For ticketing information, please visit SaginawSpirit.com, call 989-497-SPIRIT or visit the Official Saginaw Spirit Ticket and Merchandise Store at 5789 State Street in Saginaw.
