Telegin's three-point night paces 5-2 win over Plymouth
SAGINAW -- The Saginaw Spirit started off the weekend by posting a win on the scoresheet, courtesy a 5-2 victory over division rival the Plymouth Whalers. Goalie Edward Pasquale earned the game’s first star honors with 42 saves on 44 shots, while forward Ivan Telegin earned second star honors with one goal and two assists. Assistant captain Jordan Hill added a goal and an assist in the effort, the goal marking his first in Spirit uniform since arriving via trade in early mid-January. The Spirit, with 58 points and a record of 26-22-4-2, are in sixth place in the OHL Western Conference, with tonight’s win moving the Spirit past the seventh place Erie Otters (57 points).
Saginaw took a commanding lead in the first period with three consecutive goals. Defenseman Peter Hermenegildo tallied his seventh goal of the season on the power play, courtesy assists from winger Josh Shalla and center Ivan Telegin at 9:14. Saginaw’s Telegin followed with the Spirit’s second goal, tallied at 13:20 off of an assist from winger Jordan Skellett. The Spirit offense continued to spread out its scoring attack, with Skellett notching the final goal of the first period to move the score to 3-0 Saginaw. Shalla assist on the goal, posting his second point of the night.
The Spirit’s momentum carried into second period, with winger Jordan Szwarz (NHL Phoenix Coyotes) scoring his eighteenth of the season :20 seconds in to advance Saginaw’s lead by four goals. Center Tyler Murovich and defenseman Jordan Hill assist on the goal. The Whalers would answer moments later with a power play providing the opportunity for Plymouth to break the shutout and get on the scoreboard. Center Robbie Czarnik (NHL Los Angeles Kings) scored to move the score to 4-1, courtesy assists from centers Joe Gaynor and Phil McRae (NHL St. Louis Blues). Saginaw quickly responded however, with Hill answering the call with his fifth goal of the season at the 8:48 mark, courtesy assists from Telegin and defenseman Joe Underwood. The goal also marked Hill’s first in Spirit uniform since arriving in Saginaw via trade in mid-January. The second period ended with Saginaw holding a commanding 5-1 lead.
The third period saw little action on the scoresheet, and it wasn’t until the final seconds that the Whalers would manage to get one last tally on the board. Center Jamie Devane (NHL Toronto Maple Leafs) scored the game’s final goal at 19:43 in the period, assisted by defensemen Colin MacDonald Leo Jenner.
Saginaw goaltender Edward Pasquale (NHL Atlanta Thrashers) posted 42 saves on 44 shots, while the Whalers goaltending tandem of Matt Hackett (NHL Minnesota Wild) and Scott Wedgewood earned 22 saves on 27 shots. Hackett allowed two goals on five shots before being pulled in the first period in favor of Wedgewood, who allowed three goals on 22 shots.
