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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Eagle's Nest Notes

September 27, 2004 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


The Saginaw Spirit are 1-1, after Saturday's 5-1 loss in Plymouth and the season opener, 3-2 OT win in Windsor Thursday. Jean-Michel Rizk had a four point weekend, assisting on Patrick McNeill's goal Saturday and on both Sean Courtney goals Thursday. He also had the game winning goal in overtime Thursday against Windsor.

Saginaw has its first three-in-three this weekend, with the home opener Thursday against Sarnia, followed up by a road trip Friday night to Guelph and back home Saturday to face the well-respected London Knights.

Thursday, 9/30/04 Spirit v. Sarnia Sting 7:00 PM TheDow Event Center

Sarnia is 1-1 on the season, after defeating Plymouth in their home opener, then falling to the Brampton Battalion Saturday. The Sting won the West Division last year, finishing 2nd in the Western Conference. Saginaw swept the pre-season series against the Sting, but was swept by the Sting in 2003-04.

The Sting take to the ice with Guelph veterans, GM Alan Millar and head coach Shawn Camp. Sarnia return with one of the grittiest forwards in the OHL in Marco Caprara, who's beginning his third season in the league. Forward Richard Klune was a teammate of Spirit defenseman Patrick McNeill on the Team Canada U-17 that took the gold at the World Junior Championships in Slovakia. Defenseman Matt Pelech is a hot prospect for the 2005 NHL draft.

Friday, 10/01/04 Spirit @ Guelph Storm 7:30 PM at Guelph

Guelph are the defending Robertson Cup champions of the OHL, and represented the OHL in the Memorial Cup, 2004. The Storm swept Saginaw 4-0 during the 2003-04 series. The Storm are 0-1-1 after an opening day loss to the Brampton Battalion, and a tie with Windsor. The Storm are coached by former Detroit Red Wing Dave Barr.

Saturday, 10/2/04 Spirit v. London Knights 7:00 PM TheDow Event Center

A perennial powerhouse, the London Knights enter the season after a tough loss to the Guelph Storm in the Western Conference finals. The Spirit were 0-4 against the Knights last season.

London enters the weekend 2-0, with back to back defeats of the Kitchener Rangers. The Hockey News picks London to be the top team in the CHL, just in time for their home, the John Labatt Centre, to host the Memorial Cup in 2005. Returnees include Anaheim Mighty Ducks draft pick, high-flying scorer Corey Perry and Edmonton Oilers first round draft choice Robbie Schremp. The Knights also return two of the top goaltenders in the league with Gerald Coleman and Ryan MacDonald.

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