Eagles Nest Notes
Published on March 2, 2009 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release
The Saginaw Spirit head into the week looking towards the 2009 post season and are jockeying for position with several conference rivals. The prize is the third and fourth seed of the OHL Western Conference and with it comes home ice advantage in the first round. The Saginaw Spirit host the Sarnia Sting Tuesday morning (11:00 AM) then go on the road for two straight. Friday night they visit the Guelph Storm (7:30 PM) and Saturday the Owen Sound Attack (7:30 PM).
Playoff Race
The Saginaw Spirit are tied for fourth place in the OHL Western Conference, with 71 points and a record of 32-23-3-4. The Guelph Storm (71 points) are also in fourth place, however if playoffs were to start tomorrow the Storm would take the edge due to a better head-to-head record between the two teams.
The Sarnia Sting (68 points) are closing in on the fourth seed as well, three points away in the sixth place spot. The Erie Otters (64 points) and Owen Sound Attack (62 points) round out the bottom ranked playoff bound teams.
The Plymouth Whalers (73 points) with their two point advantage over the Spirit and Storm are currently in third place. The first place Windsor Spitfires (109 points) and London Knights (91 points) are secure in the top two seeds of the conference.
Week 24 Recap
The Spirit lost 6-2 to the Plymouth Whalers last Wednesday. T.J. Brodie and Jordan Skellett each notched a goal in the effort, and Jack Combs posted two assists.
The team returned to action last Saturday when they squared off against the Owen Sound Attack. The two teams battled through the contest before the Attack took a two goal lead in the third period. Goals from Joe Pleckaitis and Chris Chappell tied up the contest and pushed it into overtime, however the Attack notched a goal in the extra frame to take the win. Jordan Szwarz also contirbuted a goal in the effort.
The Spirit visited the league leading Windsor Spitfires last Sunday, losing 8-2. Scoring for the Spirit were Joe Pleckaitis and Chris Chappell.
Week 25 Preview
The Spirit square off with three conference rivals this week as they continue to jockey for playoff positioning.
Sarnia Sting
The Sarnia Sting pay a visit to TheDow Event Center Tuesday at 11:00 AM to play in the fifth game of the six game season series between the two teams. The Spirit have taken the first four contests, the last a 4-3 shootout victory on January 9th.
The Sting roster boasts one of the league's top scorers in winger Justin DiBenedetto (42G 44A), who has tallied 86 points in 55 games this season. The New York Islanders pick is averaging 1.56 points per game. Center Jamie Arniel (30G 33A) and winger Matt Martin (31G 29A) are also major contributors up front. Arniel has tallied a team leading 3 goals against the Spirit in their previous meetings. Mark Katic (11G 35A) is a top points producer from the blue line with 46 points on the season, and leads the defense with a plus-10. Overager Steve Ferry (7G 28A) and Jordan Hill (7G 14A) also provide veteran leadership in the back end.
Goalie Dan Spence anchors the Sting net with a record of 25-17-3-2 in 47 games. The overage free agent has posted 2 shutouts on the season, with a 2.79 goals against average and 0.912 save percentage.
Guelph Storm
The Guelph Storm host the Spirit at 7:30 PM Friday night at the Sleeman Centre of Guelph. The Storm have a two game advantage over the Spirit in their four game season series, with the Spirit taking the third contest 4-3 in overtime on February 21st.
It's scoring by committee in Guelph, with the top five scorers each posting major points. Winger Matt Kennedy (31G 33A) leads the pack with 64 points, with center Peter Holland (24G 35A), winger Brandon Buck (21G 35A) and winger Taylor Beck (21G 34A) all contributing more than 50 points apiece. Center Michael Latta (18G 31A) is approaching the 50 point plateau as well with 49 points on the season. Overage veteran and former Spirit Tim Priamo (13G 15A) was moved to the defense recently, and he leads a blue line boasting Nathan Martine (5G 19A) and Corey Syvret (3G 19A). Rookie defenseman Tim Campbell leads the team in the plus/minus category with a plus-14 in 49 games.
Goalie Jake Fischer has played 19 games in net this season, followed by rookie Brandon Foote who has played in 12 games for the Storm since being traded from the Brampton Battalion.
Owen Sound Attack
The Owen Sound Attack face off against the Spirit Saturday at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre, 7:30 PM. Saturday's contest is the third of the season series between the two teams, with the previous two meetings ending in overtime. The Spirit took the first contest 3-2 on November 19th but lost the second 4-3 on February 28th.
Center Joey Hishon (34G 41A) is a top prospect for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, and his team leading 75 points positions him to be drafted at or near the top two summers from now. Other notables on offense include winger Mike Lomas (22G 28A), winger Andrew Wilkins (17G 33A) and center Marcus Carroll (24G 24A). Defenseman Paul Bezzo (1G 12A) is the teams leading plus-minus leader with a plus-11 in 60 games while David Kolomatis (18G 25A) is an offensive force from the back end with 43 points on the season.
The Attack net is manned by one of the top goalie tandems in the league. Dallas Stars pick Tyler Beskorowany has one shutout with a 0.900 save percentage while rookie goalie Scott Stajcer has posted a 0.905 save percentage.
Get Your Tickets
The Spirit play host the Sarnia Sting at TheDow Event Center this week. For ticket information, please contact the Official Saginaw Spirit Ticket and Merchandise Store at 5789 State Street in Saginaw or call 989-497-7747.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 2, 2009
- Guelph Storm Names Rogers Performers of the Month for February - Guelph Storm
- Eagles Nest Notes - Saginaw Spirit
- Sting's Katic named Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week - OHL
- Nathan Martine Grand & Toy Player Of The Week - Guelph Storm
- Andrei Loktionov Windsor Spitfires Player of the Week - Windsor Spitfires
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