OHL Saginaw Spirit

Meijer Eagles Nest Notes: Spirit Primed For Away Game Action Starting Tonight

Published on February 5, 2010 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


The Spirit will hit the road this week for the team's final multi game stay away from home with three games in as many days. The Spirit will take to the ice at the Hershey Center in Mississauga for their first game of the season against the Majors on Friday, February 5 and from there Saginaw will move into Erie for their final regular season game against the Otters on Saturday, February 6. The trip will wrap up on Sunday, February 7 with an afternoon contest against the Rangers in Kitchener.

Saginaw enters the week in fourth place in the OHL's West Division and sixth in the Western Conference with a record of 24-21-4-1, for 53 points. The Spirit are four points behind the fifth place Sault Ste. Marie, tied with seventh place Erie in points and one point ahead of the Owen Sound Attack, currently the holder of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. On the ice, Jordan Skellett (21-51-72) represented the Spirit at this week's OHL All-Star Classic, and he will return to town as the fourth leading point producer in the league and number one in assists. NHL Draft Eligible forward Josh Shalla (27-23-50) continues to lead the team in goals, while Ryan O'Connor (12-22-34) is the OHL's fifteenth leading point producing defenseman and is tied for third in goals. After this weekend the Spirit will have 15 regular season games remaining, and will play seven of the next nine games at The Dow Event Center.

Saginaw at Mississauga (33-12-4-1 71 points) - The Spirit begin the trip against arguably the best defensive team in the OHL as Mississauga has given up a league low 122 goals. The Majors remain 12 points behind the Barrie Colts, the top team in the Eastern Conference, but beat their divisional rival 3-2 in the shootout Thursday night. On the ice, the Majors are led by one of the best one-two punches in goal in Atlanta prospect Chris Carrozzi and NHL Draft prospect JP Anderson. Carrozzi's 2.24 goals against average is a league best, and Anderson is not far behind ranking third in the category. On the blueline, the unit is led by Colorado draft pick Cameron Gaunce (6-30-36), a finalist for the OHL's Defenseman of the Year Award last year. Up front, second year man Devante Smith-Pelly (26-23-49) is having a terrific year leading the Majors in goals and points. Smith-Pelly was one of four Majors to skate in the All Star game this week and is eligible for this year's NHL Draft. New York Islanders pick Casey Cizikas (18-29-47) and 20 goal man Jordan Mayer (20-15-35) are also offensive contributors for Mississauga.

Saginaw at Erie (23-21-5-2 53 points) - The Spirit and Otters could not be any closer in the standings than they are, heading into the week with both teams having 53 points. Saginaw has a slight edge in the standings however, owning one more win than Erie. The Otters have risen to become one of the highest scoring teams in the circuit and boast one of the most potent lines in the league as the high scoring trio of former Spirit Zack Torquato (24-46-70), Mike Cazzola (25-34-59), and draft eligible Greg McKegg (25-33-58) are all in the top 15 in league point production. Throw into the mix another NHL draft candidate Andrew Yogan (21-23-44), and 23 goal man Anthony Luciani (23-24-47), and the Otters have formidable firepower. The Otters blueline took a recent hit as former first round pick Mitch Gaulton (4-23-27) is out for a couple of weeks with an elbow injury. One time Peterborough Pete Derek Holden (8-14-22) has been a solid pickup on the backend for the Otters this season. In goal, the loss of Jaroslav Janus to the Tampa Bay Lightning system earlier this season forced the Otters hand to fortify the position and they addressed that need at the trade deadline by brining in former Sarnia goaltender Adam Courchaine to be the number one option at the position.

Saginaw at Kitchener (32-15-2-2 68 points) - The Spirit wrap up the week against another of the OHL's highest scoring clubs as the Rangers are one of four teams with at least 200 goals on the season. Highlighting the offense are a couple of 30 plus goal shooters inJeff Skinner (37-30-67) and Jeremy Morin (35-30-65). Skinner enters the week tied in goal production with Plymouth's Tyler Seguin, and it should be another great year at the NHL draft table for the OHL as Skinner is also available for pick up this season. Atlanta prospect Morin (35-30-65) has also been a great find for the Rangers as the US World Jr. Team performer is ninth in league point production. Veteran Chris MacKinnon (26-44-70) is fifth in league points with Jason Akeson (18-42-60) and former Bull Matt Tipoff (18-31-49) also supporting the offensive core. On the blueline, Kitchener features arguably the best defensive defenseman in the league in Dan Kelly (3-15-18), as well as Columbus first round pick John Moore (7-28-35), who posted the hardest shot at this week's All Star Game Skills Competition. In goal, the bulk of the starts will be handled by Brandon Maxwell, formerly of the US Development Program. Maxwell inherited the number one chores following the trade of Mavric Parks to the Barrie Colts a few weeks ago.

Get your tickets! The team is on the road this weekend but will return to The Dow Event Center to host the Plymouth Whalers on Friday, February 12 at 7:11 PM and the Windsor Spitfires Saturday, February 13 at 7:11 PM. It's the fourth annual Saginaw Spirit Ice Blast, presented by PRIDE in Saginaw Inc. For ticket information, please contact the Spirit at 989-497-7747 or visit the Official Saginaw Spirit Ticket and Merchandise Store at 5789 State Street in Saginaw.

Join the Saginaw Spirit for the fourth annual ICE BLAST, presented by PRIDE in Saginaw, Inc. The two day event will be held at The Dow Event Center Friday February 12 and Saturday February 13 - join in on the fun pre-game with a outdoor heated tent, live entertainment, drink specials and more! Wrap up the evening with Spirit hockey, featuring key match-ups against division rivals at 7:11 PM.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 5, 2010


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