Eagles Nest Notes
January 5, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release
The Saginaw Spirit enter the week preparing for a three game series against several OHL Western Conference rivals. The Spirit are in fourth place in the OHL Western Conference, second in the OHL West Division, with 45 points and a record of 21-14-0-3.
Week 16 Recap
The Spirit lost 4-3 to the Plymouth Whalers last Friday. Jordan Skellett, Chris Chappell and Jordan Szwarz all pitched in on the goal scoring. The team hosted the Guelph Storm last Sunday, losing 4-3 in a shootout. Jack Combs tallied two goals in the effort with Kyle Bochek notching his 10th of the season. Combs earned the games first star, with rookie winger Mitch Fillman earning the third star. Despite the loss, the team gained a point by pushing the game past regulation.
Week 17 Preview
The Spirit open their weekend series on the road, visiting the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Wednesday night and the Sarnia Sting Friday night. The team returns home to host the Kitchener Rangers Sunday at 4:00 PM.
Tickets remain for Sunday's contest. Contact the Spirit at 989-497-7747 or visit the Official Saginaw Spirit Ticket and Merchandise Store at 5789 State Street in Saginaw.
The teams of the Ontario Hockey League will be in the spotlight this week with the trade deadline January 9th. Visit OntarioHockeyLeague.com to see how the things boil down in the coming days!
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
The Spirit start out the week with a visit to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Wednesday night. The Spirit are 3-1-0-1 against the Greyhounds this season, winning the last match-up 8-3. The Greyhounds are in tenth place in the OHL Western Conference with a record of 15-22-2-1 and 33 points.
Overager center Matt Lyall (15G 16A) has picked up the slack left by high scoring center Matt Caria, who was recently traded to the Plymouth Whalers. Lyall's 31 points is tops in the Greyhounds offensive corps, with center Michael Fine (11G 15A), winger Jordan Nolan (9G 16A) and winger James Livingston (12G 10A) providing depth. Defenseman Michael Quesnele (6G 18A) chips in from the blue line with 24 points in 40 games. Quesnele and Jacob Muzzin (4G 13A) leads a defense leaning on the younger side with 92-born defensemen Marshall Fox, Brandon Archibald (2A), David Mead (1A) and Brock Beukeboom (6A). The netminding duty has been split this season between Cody St. Jacques and Bryce O'Hagan. St. Jacques has played 4 games against the Spirit this season, posting a 4.08 goals against average and 0.878 save percentage in those contests.
The Greyhounds hosted the Peterborough Petes last Saturday, dropping a 2-1 decision. Lyall tallied a goal in the effort.
Sarnia Sting
The Sarnia Sting, in sixth place in the OHL Western Conference with 42 points and a record of 19-17-2-2 42, host the Spirit Friday night. The Spirit are 3-0-0-0 against the Sting this season.
High scoring winger Justin DiBenedetto (26G 27A) leads the team in scoring, and is ranked second in the Ontario Hockey League top scorers leader board. Winger Matt Martin (23G 17A) and center Jamie Arniel (19G 19A) are also big contributors up front. Defenseman Mark Katic (5G 22A) leads the blue line with a plus-4 and along with overager Steve Ferry (5G 17A) provides veteran leadership in the back end. Overage goalie Dan Spence has posted a 2.56 goals against average and 0.919 save percentage in 27 games.
The Sting lost their previous contest, 5-4 to the Ottawa 67's, last Saturday.
Kitchener Rangers
The Spirit host the Kitchener Rangers Sunday night in Kitchener Ontario. The Rangers are in ninth place in the OHL Western Conference with a record of 16-20-1-1 and 34 points. The Spirit are 2-0-0-0 against the Rangers this season.
Center Scott Timmins (25G 24A) and winger Chris MacKinnon (14G 33A) drive the Rangers offense with a combined 96 points. Timmins has notched 2 goals and 2 assists against the Spirit this season. Overage defenseman Ben Shutron (3G 22A) is often a factor in the scoring production, with Dan Kelly (3G 3A) and Robert Bortuzzo (3G 15A) providing depth and leadership. Overager Parker Van Buskirk leads the goaltending corps with a 2.93 goals against average and 0.913 save percentage in 25 games.
The Rangers lost their last game, to the Erie Otters 6-4 Saturday. MacKinnon tallied two goals in the effort.
Central Hockey League Stories from January 5, 2009
- Killer Bees Send Banga To Brahmas In Four-For-One Swap - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Brahmas Make Trade, Add Banga To Roster - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Mudbugs, RiverKings to Clash on Tuesday - Mississippi RiverKings
- Eagles Nest Notes - Colorado Eagles
- Shots from the Point - CHL
- Rage Weekly Release - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Amarillo Acquires Bonello from Mississippi - Amarillo Gorillas
- Emond Named Oakley/CHL Goaltender of the Week for Second Consecutive Week - Arizona Sundogs
- Kinnunen Named CHL's Player of the Week - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Oakley CHL Player/Goaltender of the Week Winner Announced - CHL
- Bucks At Bees Tuesday - Laredo Bucks
- Jacks Release McWhinney - Odessa Jackalopes
- Emond Wins December's Oakley Three Stars Award - Arizona Sundogs
- Arizona's Marco Emond Wins Oakley Three-Star Award for December - CHL
- Gorillas weekly notes - Amarillo Gorillas
- Sundogs Notes - Arizona Sundogs
- Eagles Week In Review - Colorado Eagles
- Thunder Weekly Update - Wichita Thunder
- Mudbugs Weekly - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Bucks "Pink In The Rink" Game Friday - Laredo Bucks
- Jacks Lose Two, 13 Points Ahead in First Place - Odessa Jackalopes
- Rush Finally Win In Overtime To Top Rage 5-4 - Rapid City Rush
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