BELLEVILLE, ON -- The Saginaw Spirit outshot the Belleville Bulls 41-38 but lost by a score of 5-3 in regulation Saturday night at the Yardmen Arena of Belleville, Ontario. The Spirit loss evens up the two-game season series between the two teams at a game apiece with Saginaw having bested Belleville 8-3 last October. Defenseman Ryan O’Connor tallied a goal and an assist in the effort, while fellow blueliner Jordan Hill posted two assists. The Spirit have 49 points and a record of 22-19-4-1.

Belleville opened scoring in the first period, with winger Scott Howe scoring at the 6:46 mark off of assists from defenseman Alex Basso and winger Jan Kaminsky. The Spirit would even up the contest later in the frame, moving the score to 1-1. Defenseman Ryan O’Connor scored his second goal in as many games to put the Spirit on the scoreboard, with a power play tally at 15:53 from winger Jordan Skellett and defenseman Jordan Hill. The Bulls offense would answer in the final minutes of the period however, regaining their one goal lead thanks to winger Kyle DeCoste at 18:33. Winger Luke Judson and defenseman Shawn Lalonde assisted on the power play goal.

The Bulls would add to their lead in the second period with two straight goals. Center Michael Curtis tallied a power play marker at 10:16 in the period, assisted by center Alex Aleardi and Basso. Judson would move the score to 4-1 at the 18:48 mark with an unassisted goal that was assisted by center Anthony Bathgate. Spirit center Barry Sanderson would reduce the deficit with a power play goal moments later, scoring his twelfth marker of the season at 19:35 from Hill and O’Connor. The second period ended with the Bulls ahead 4-2.

The late second period push by the Spirit was unable to stem the tide however, with the Bulls answering late in the third period to move the score to 5-2. Belleville’s Aleardi scored a power play marker at 10:05 in the period, courtesy assists from defenseman Stephen Silas and Judson. The Spirit continued to battle through the third period, with Skellett making it 5-3 with his twentieth goal of the season at the 17:41 mark. Center Michael Sgarbossa and defenseman Brad Walch assisted on the goal. Despite the effort the Spirit were unable to add to the scoresheet, suffering a 5-3 loss in regulation.

Spirit netminder Tadeas Galansky turned aside 33 of 38 shots for Saginaw, while Bulls goalie and Spirit alumni Anthony Peters posting 38 saves on 41 shots.

For a complete game sheet, please visit www.ontariohockeyleague.com

Tickets are on sale now! The team wraps up their three game road trip Sunday with a 6:05 PM match-up against the Oshawa Generals, but return to action in Saginaw on January 28 and January 30. Tickets are on sale now for both games, which 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.