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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Eagles Nest Note: Spirit Set for Big Road Swing

October 14, 2010 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


The Saginaw Spirit go on the road for a three game stint, taking on the Guelph Storm Friday, the Belleville Bulls Saturday and the Oshawa Generals Sunday. The Spirit beat the Storm 2-1 in a shootout last weekend but will square off for the first time of the season against the Bulls and Generals. Saginaw is riding a seven game win streak with a record of 7-1-0-0 with 14 points.

Saginaw at Belleville This game marks the first road contest of the season against Eastern Conference competition for the Spirit against a club that has yet to win on home ice this season. The Bulls are trying to return to the playoffs after missing out on the post season a year ago for just the third time in franchise history and they do have some solid young talent and quality veterans to work with.

Headlining the offense so far this season are Tampa prospect Richard Panik and Pittsburgh Penguins pick Andy Bathgate. Both players have cracked the 10 point mark in this young season and they are supported on the offensive side of the puck by former Windsor Spitfire Austen Brassard, a very promising power forward in the making, and first year skater Brendan Gaunce who is going to be a big point producer at the OHL level and perhaps beyond.

On the blueline, the corps is led by Stephen Silas who is one of the better defensemen in the league and a draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche. The Bulls are actually a little thin on defense heading into the weekend games with at last report three regulars are out of the lineup. The number one goaltender for the Bulls is Belleville product Tyson Teichmann, who has the opportunity to be one of the best at his position as his career rolls on. Teichmann had a very strong Under 18 tournament in August helping to stake Canada to the Gold Medal at the event.

General Manager and Head Coach George Burnett was also a part of that Canadian team at the Under 18 event, and is a two time recipient of the OHL Coach of the Year award.

Saginaw at Oshawa Much like the Spirit, the Generals are blessed with some of the best young talent in the OHL and are off to a terrific start in a bid to return to the playoffs this season. This team is pretty deep in every area with the goaltending being the one question mark this season.

The Generals got a huge shot in the arm recently when the New York Islanders elected to send back defensemen Calvin de Haan for one more year of seasoning at the junior level. The first round NHL pick is a smooth skater, and will be one of the major forces offensively from the blueline in the OHL this season. The Generals defense also boasts two more highly regarded rearguards in offensive minded Tony DeHart as well as Scott Valentine who is arguably their best defensive defenseman and a great body checker.

Up front is where the young talent really shines for the Generals. Second year man Boone Jenner is a terrific young power forward and a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate a season ago, and New York Rangers selection Christian Thomas entered the week with 8 goals after a 40 plus goal season a year ago. The NHL draft eligible duo of Lucas Lessio and Nicklas Jensen are also strong catalysts up front for Oshawa.

Goaltending is a bit of a question mark, and veteran Michael Zador has been handed the keys as the number one puckstopper for the Generals. The former London Knight has talent but has been inconsistent in his OHL career. Considering the skill set in front of him, Zador must be a big piece of the equation if the Generals are going to reach the heights they are looking for this year.

Get your tickets! The team returns to Saginaw for a two game home stand, taking on the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors Friday, October 22 and the Belleville Bulls Saturday, October 23. Both games start at 7:11 PM. 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. Tickets can also be purchased at SaginawSpirit.com or any TicketMaster Outlet.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 14, 2010


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