OHL Saginaw Spirit

Eagles Nest Notes

Published on December 8, 2008 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


The Saginaw Spirit continue their winning ways with a three game sweep last weekend, posting a four game win streak and a record of 7-2-0-1 over the last ten games. The Spirit are in third place on the OHL Western Conference, second in the OHL West Division, with 39 points and a record of 19-8-0-1. The Windsor Spitfires (53 points) are in first place in the Conference followed by the second place London Knights (45 points). The Guelph Storm (36 points) are nipping at the Spirit's heals, currently residing in the fourth place spot.

The Spirit hit the road for two games, the first against the Plymouth Whalers Wednesday night and the second against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Friday night. Fans can listen to both games live on FM Talk and Sports 100.5!

The Spirit host the Erie Otters Saturday night in the annual Meijer Teddy Bear Toss Game! The puck drops at 7:11 PM. Great seats are still available for the game - contact the Spirit at 989-497-7747 or visit the Saginaw Spirit Ticket and Merchandise Store at 5789 State Street in Saginaw for more information.

OHL League Leaders Watch

Spirit captain Chris Chappell (18G 18A) is ranked 10th in the OHL Top Scorers rankings, with Jack Combs (13G 20A) following closely in the 18th spot.

Defenseman T.J. Brodie (6G 21A) is working his way up the OHL Top Defenseman Scorers rankings, currently at the 6th spot. Brodie's linemate Nick Crawford (2G 18A) is also a constant presence in the rankings, currently ranked 12th amongst d-man scorers. Defenseman Joe Underwood (4G 4A) is holding down the 5th spot in the league's plus/minus rankings with a plus-21 in 28 games. Jack Combs is ranked 16th with a plus-13 and T.J. Brodie is 19th with a plus-12.

Goalie Edward Pasquale is ranked 2nd in total wins, with 19 on the season. He is also ranked 6th in both the goals against category (2.61 GAA) and save percentage category (0.920 SVP).

Week 12 Recap

The Saginaw Spirit visited the Eastern Conference's Brampton Battalion last Thursday, taking the contest in a 5-2 decision. The Spirit snapped the Battalion's win streak - they hadn't lost a game in regulation over the last 19 games prior to their loss to the Spirit. Several Spirit players contributed on offense, with Jordan Szwarz, Joe Pleckaitis, Chris Chappell, Mitch Fillman and Kyle Bochek all notching goals in the effort. Goalie Edward Pasquale earned the game's second star, with 39 saves on 41 shots.

The Spirit visited the Kitchener Rangers the following day, posting their second win of the weekend in a 4-3 decision. Tyler Murovich, Joe Pleckaitis, Jack Combs and Chris Chappell all scored in the effort, with goalie Edward Pasquale notching 41 saves on 44 shots. T.J. Brodie, the OHL Defenseman of the Month for November, earned the games second star with a plus-2 effort.

The team returned to TheDow Event Center for a Sunday night contest against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. The Spirit took the contest, a 6-3 decision, with goals from Joe Underwood, T.J. Brodie, Mitch Fillman and Tyler Murovich. Chris Chappell earned the games first star with two goals in the effort. Defenseman Nick Crawford tallied three assists in the effort, with goalie Edward Pasquale turned aside 38 of 44 shots.

Week 13 Preview

Plymouth Whalers

The Saginaw Spirit visit the Plymouth Whalers Wednesday night at the Compuware Arena. The Whalers are currently at the bottom of the OHL Western Conference with 27 points and a record of 12-13-3-0, but have gradually gone back to winning form with the return of Head Coach Mike Vellucci. Saginaw's rival is currently enjoying a three game win streak and is 6-3-1-0 in the last ten games.

Carolina Hurricanes pick Chris Terry (13G 13A) is the driving force behind the offense, leading the Whalers in both total points and total goals. Rookie center Tyler Sequin (5G 15A) has come out of the gates with some offensive flair as well, posting 20 points in 26 games. Winger Kaine Geldart (8G 11A), center Vern Cooper (8G 9A) and Florida Panthers pick A.J. Jenks (7G 6A) round out the offense.

The Whalers blue line features two defenseman hailing from the Czech Republic. Carolina Hurricanes pick Michal Jordan (3G 14A) and Jan Latal (1G 1A) lead the defense with each having a plus-5 rating entering the week. Fourth year Whaler Leo Jenner (4A) provides veteran leadership in the backend.

The Whalers have been calling on goalie Matt Hackett to take the reigns in net despite having Nashville Predators pick Jeremy Smith on the roster. 90-born Hackett has posted a 2.91 goals against average and 0.906 save percentage in 16 games, 1.67 goals against average and 0.937 save percentage in the last three games.

Wednesday's game marks the third of the season between the two rivals, with Saginaw having won the October 12th contest 3-2 and Plymouth rebounding to take the November 14th game 5-1.

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

The Spirit pay a visit to the Essar center in Sault Ste. Marie Friday night for the third game of their season series against the Greyhounds. The Spirit have a 2-1 edge on the season series thanks to a 6-3 win over the Greyhounds last weekend. Chris Chappell has been a thorn in the Soo's side, posting 5 goals against them in the last three games.

Fans looking at the standings today would think the Greyhounds are out of the playoff race, however a closer inspection shows that team, with 28 points and a record of 13-15-1-1, are only a win away from the fifth seed Erie Otters (30 points).

The offense features four goal scoring forwards in center Matt Caria (10G 25A), center Matthew Lyall (12G 12A), center Michael Fine (10G 11A) and St. Louis Blues pick James Livingston (11G 8A). Lyall has notched 3 goals against the Spirit this season. Michael Quesnele (5G 16A) continues to be the leading presence on the defense with a plus-8 in 30 games. Jacob Muzzin (2G 11A), a Pittsburg Penguins pick, rounds out the defense. The goalie tandem of Cody St. Jacques (19 games) and Bryce O'Hagan (16 games) have serviced the net this season.

Erie Otters

The Otters have gone from the bottom the OHL Western Conference to contenders in a short amount of time, currently sitting in fifth place in the OHL Western Conference with 30 points and a record of 14-14-2-2. The Otters also have the distinction of beating the league leading Windsor Spitfires (53 points) twice, a 4-2 decision on November 8th and a 5-4 shootout win on December 5th. The Spitfires have only lost 3 games in regulation and 1 game in a shootout this season.

The recent fortunes of the Otters is due in no small part to the strong offensive play of winger Brandon Biggers (10G 19A), center Justin Hodgman (11G 19A), Detroit Red Wings pick Zack Torquato (14G 11A), winger Shawn Szydlowski (11G 9A), winger Sean Jones (10G 5A) and Dallas Stars pick Luke Gazdic (6G 6A). Torquato, formerly of the Saginaw Spirit, scored against the Saginaw in their previous meeting this season. Center Ryan O'Reilly (3G 22A), first overall pick in the 2007 OHL Priority Selection, leads the team in assists scoring. Winger Anthony Luciani (4G 6A) is the team's leading rookie scorer - the 90-born rookie scored against Saginaw in the two team's last match-up.

Defenseman Chris Breen, formerly of the Saginaw Spirit, continues to dominate on the blue line and has also chipped in offensively, with 7 of his 8 assists on the season coming in Otters uniform. He currently leads the blue line in scoring production. New York Ranger pick Mitch Gaulton is also a constant presence on the blue line.

Goalie Jaroslav Janus has headed the call in 27 games this season, posting 2 shutouts and a 14-11-2-0 record. The Slovakia native has notched a 3.31 goals against average and 0.902 save percentage.

This marks the second game between the two teams this season, with the Spirit taking the first contest 3-2 on October 24th. Chris Chappell, Jack Combs and Kain Allicock all scored in the game, with goalie Edward Pasquale posting a 2.00 goals against average and 0.944 save percentage.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2008


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