Sports stats



OHL Saginaw Spirit

14-Game Home Winning Streak Snapped by Generals

February 16, 2019 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit celebrate a goal against the Oshawa Generals
Saginaw Spirit celebrate a goal against the Oshawa Generals
(Saginaw Spirit)

Saginaw, MI - The Saginaw Spirit's six-game win-streak was snapped in a 5-1 loss to the Oshawa Generals Saturday evening. Saginaw dropped a game at home for the first time since December 1 after winning the last 14-straight.

Saginaw is now 22-6-1-1 at home this season, third-best home win percentage in the entire Ontario Hockey League.

The Spirit remain three points back of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for the West Division lead.

Spirit captain Damien Giroux extended his point-streak to five-games with an assist in the losing effort. Overager Justin Murray's second period goal earned him Saturday's third-star honors.

Oshawa grabbed the lead 7:05 into the opening period with left-winger Allan McShane's 27th goal of the season. The Montreal Canadiens prospect tipped the puck into Saginaw's net after Serron Noel fed a pass to the left of the net.

Noel, a Florida Panthers prospect, collected his 42nd assist of the season on the play.

Nando Eggenberger extended the Generals' lead 29 seconds later with the left-winger's 20th goal of the season. While on a breakaway, Oshawa captain Kyle MacLean dropped a pass back to the trailer Eggenberger. Eggenberger's wrist shot just trickled through Prosvetov's equipment for the goal.

With a full two minute five-on-three man-power advantage, Colorado Avalanche prospect Brandon Saigeon added Oshawa's third goal of the first period. The center took a slap shot from the point that redirected off a Spirit defender and found the back of the net.

With the goal, Saigeon is seventh in the OHL this season with 84 points.

The Generals outshot the Spirit, 14-9 in the first period.

While on the power play, Edmonton Oilers prospect Ryan McLeod nearly put the Spirit on the board with a hard wrist shot from the left circle. Kyle Keyser, a Boston Bruins signee, snagged the puck with a quick glove to keep the Oshawa lead intact.

Keyser's glove robbed New York Islanders second round pick Bode Wilde right after the Spirit man-power advantage expired.

Oshawa extended the lead to four with 7:55 remaining in the second period with Eggenberger's second goal of the game. Eggenberger's took a wrist shot from the point that went through several players in front to beat Prosvetov.

Rookie Tristan Lennox came into the game in relief of Prosvetov. It was the 12th appearance of the season for the 16-year old.

Overage defenseman Justin Murray puts the Spirit on the board with a hammer from the point. After a shot by Damien Giroux was blocked by a Generals defender, the Spirit captain collected his own rebound and sent a pass to the point. Murray reared back and hammered a one-timer that beat Keyser stick-side.

Murray, former Barrie Colts captain, has been excellent for Saginaw since being acquired midway through the season. Murray has a plus-minus of plus-14 since the trade.

Oshawa took a 4-1 lead into the second intermission.

Rookie Tyler Tullio gave Oshawa back the four-goal lead 2:20 into the final frame. A wide-open Tullio received the puck in the slot and snapped a shot past Lennox for his 13th goal of the season.

The final 15 minutes of regulation was very physical with several penalties and misconducts served to both teams.

Saginaw outshot Oshawa, 30-27 through three periods but dropped the game, 5-1.

Applebee's Three Stars of the Game:

Nando Eggenberger (OSH) 2G, A +3

Tyler Tullio (OSH) G, A +3

Justin Murray (SAG) G

Saginaw begins a five-game road swing Monday, February 18 against the West Division rival Sarnia Sting. Puck drop for the teams fourth meeting of the season is at 2:05 p.m. from The Progressive Auto Sales Arena.

Listen to the game live on the flagship 100.5 FM Talk and Sports or fmtalk1005.com with Joey Battaino and Dennis Desrosier on the call. Catch the pre-game coverage on "Countdown to Face-off" beginning at 1:40 p.m.

Fans can watch the game live from the Saginaw Spirit "Watch Party" from the 2690 Tittabawassee Road Buffalo Wild Wings location.

The Spirit return home Saturday, March 2 to host the Kingston Frontenacs at 7:05 p.m. It is Hockey for the Homeless Night at The Dow presented by Rescue Mission. Rescue Ministries will be presenting a presentation in the Budweiser Red Room prior to the game at 5:30 p.m.

To purchase tickets to any Saginaw Spirit home game call (989)497-7747, visit www.saginawspirit.com, or by visiting the Saginaw Spirit Store at 5789 State Street, Saginaw, MI.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics




Images from this story

Saginaw Spirit celebrate a goal against the Oshawa Generals
Saginaw Spirit celebrate a goal against the Oshawa Generals
   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2019


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central