OHL Saginaw Spirit

Eagles' Nest Notes: The Weekly Spirit Preview

Published on January 2, 2006 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


The Spirit enter the week at 20-15-0-0, with 40 points. Saginaw is in second place in the OHL West Division and sixth the OHL Western Conference. The Spirit were 1-2 last week, with a 4-3 loss to the Erie Otters, a 3-2 shootout win over the Sudbury Wolves and a 6-1 loss to the Barrie Colts.

The Spirit have three games this week (see details below). Spirit Record Watch: Spirit forward Ryan McDonough is poised to become the fourth Spirit player to top 50 points in a season with 49 coming into this week. Geoff Platt (54 in 2002-03), Nick Lees (68 in 2003-04) and Marek Kvapil (62 in 2004-05) are the other 50 point scorers. Forward Michal Birner and Defenseman Patrick McNeill are within striking range at 42 points.

McNeill is also six assists off Marek Kvapil's season assists record of 37.

Tourney Update: Spirit forwards Michal Birner and Tom Pyatt are away at the World Junior Tournament. Pyatt has one goal in four games with the 4-0 Team Canada. Birner has two assists in four games with the 1-3 Team Czech Republic. Follow the tournament at www.iihf.org. Birner and Pyatt will return to the Spirit as their teams conclude competition at the World Junior Tournament.

Underage forward Zack Torquato is with the 1-2 Team Ontario for the World U-17 Challenge. Torquato has three assists. Follow the tournament at www.hockeycanada.ca. The Spirit expect Torquato to return for weekend contests.

Familiar Faces: The Spirit are beginning a stretch of 33 games, where 28 will be against Western Conference opponents and 19 will be against West Division opponents.

Sarnia Sting @ Saginaw Friday, January 6th 7:11 PM The Dow Event Center The Spirit are 0-1 against the Sting, with October 14th's 5-4 loss in Sarnia. The Sting enter the week at 12-22-2-0, in fifth place in the OHL West Division and tenth in the Western Conference.

19 year old forward Chad Painchaud (50 points) and 17 year old Czech native Tomas Pospisil lead the Sting's offensive attack. The Sting have added former Plymouth and Toronto St. Mike's goalie Ryan Nie while sending gritty center Michael Haley to Toronto St. Mike's.

Two Sting underagers, Mark Katic and Daniel Lombardi, are teammates of Zack Torquato on the U-17 Team Ontario squad.

Saginaw @ Owen Sound Attack Saturday, January 7th 7:30 PM Harry Lumley Bayshore Arena

The Spirit are 2-1 against the Attack this season, with a 4-2 win October 15th, an 8-2 loss in Saginaw November 26th, and a 3-2 win December 17th in Owen Sound. The Attack are 18-15-2-3, good for 41 points, fourth in the Midwest Division and fifth in the Western Conference.

The Attack lost forward Bobby Ryan (Team USA) and defenseman Andrej Sekera (Team Slovakia) to the World Junior Tournament, and depending on the tournament and flight schedules, they may return in time for the Spirit game. Underagers Marcus Carroll and Joshua Bailey were teammates of Zack Torquato on Team Ontario at the World U-17 Challenge.

Attack goalie Michael Ouzas remains suspended, after a kicking-incident in the Spirit-Attack game December 17th.

Saginaw @ Guelph Storm Sunday, January 8th 3:00 PM The Guelph Sports and Entertainment Center

The Spirit are 1-1 against the Storm, with a 3-1 win in Saginaw October 30th and a 5-0 loss December 18th. Guelph is 23-13-0-2 on the season, with 48 points, in second place in the Midwest division, third place in the Western Conference.

The Storm recently acquired defenseman Kyle Wharton and forward Jason Pitton from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, sending defenseman Josh Godfrey and forward Matt Lyall and draft picks to the Soo.

Forward Matt D'Agostini leads the Storm offense, while veteran Ryan MacDonald has started the majority of games for the storm, tallying three shutouts.

The Storm are expecting Ryan Parent (Team Canada) and Drew Doughty (Team Ontario) back for weekend play.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 2, 2006


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