Game Preview: Spirit Travel for Potential Playoff Preview against Hounds
March 14, 2018 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release
Sault Ste. Marie, ON. - On Wednesday evening, the Saginaw Spirit (29-28-8-0, 66 points, 8th in Western Conference) hit the road to face the CHL's No. 1 team, Soo Greyhounds (53-7-2-3, 111 points, 1st in Western Conference) at Essar Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The puck drops at 7:07 p.m. with live radio coverage beginning at 6:50 on 100.5 WSGW-FM and www.fmtalk1005.com.
On Sunday afternoon, the Saginaw Spirit traveled to Kitchener for the club's third game in as many days, this time facing off against the Rangers (43-20-2-0) for a matinee contest.
In the first period, Saginaw quickly quelled its offensive woes from a game prior when Cole Coskey sent a shot from the slot directly into the Rangers net, creating a 1-0 lead that the Spirit held for the duration of the frame. In the second period, Kitchener responded with two rapid goals from Austin McEneny and Adam Mascherin (FLA) respectively, totaling just 64 seconds between the two scores. In the final frame, the Rangers jumped to a 3-1 lead when Joe Garreffa sent a wrist shot cross-ice and into the Spirit net. Former Ranger Mason Kohn brought the Spirit to within one with a kneeling goal, and a late Spirit charge made for an eventful finish but Kitchener squeaked out a 3-2 victory.
The Hounds last played on Sunday afternoon, traveling to the Owen Sound Attack. The Hounds grabbed a point, but fell 6-5 in a shootout.
The Attack held a 3-0 lead early in the second period, Keeghan Howdeshell's and Morgan Frost's goals were both answered by Attack tallies. With the score 5-2 heading into the third period, the Hounds mounted a comeback to tie the game up 5-5. Connor Timmins (COL), Rasmus Sandin, and Morgan Frost (PHI) scored in a matter of 1:07 to swiftly give control of the game to the Hounds.
Maksim Sushko (PHI) scored the only shootout goal, while Olivier Lafreniere shut down Greyhounds Taylor Raddysh (TB), Jack Kopacka (ANA), and Morgan Frost (PHI).
The Greyhounds have won six of the first seven meetings during the 2017-18 season. Saginaw's victory of the Hounds came on Feb. 14 when the Spirit won 6-5 in a shootout. On Feb. 2, the Spirit battled back from a 3-0 deficit in the third period, but fell in overtime, 4-3.
Tonight marks the 128th regular season meeting between the Spirit and the Greyhounds, with Saginaw posting a 56-57-10-4 record all-time against the Hounds and a 22-33-5-3 record on the road.
The Spirit now sit in 8th place in the Western Conference with 66 points with two games remaining after tonight's tilt in the Soo. Saturday, March 17, the Spirit host the London Knights and face the Windsor Spitfires on the last day of the regular season in Windsor.
For tickets and more information:
Reserve your seat at The Dow Event Center by calling (989) 497-7747 or visit www.saginawspirit.com for more information. YOUR Region. YOUR team. YOU'RE invited.
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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 14, 2018
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- Game Preview: Spirit Travel for Potential Playoff Preview against Hounds - Saginaw Spirit
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- Storm Score Four Unanswered, Down Rangers 4-3 in Overtime - Guelph Storm
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