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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Game Preview: Playoff Positioning on the Line Tonight against Windsor

March 2, 2018 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


SAGINAW, MI. - On Saturday night, the Saginaw Spirit (27-25-8-0, 62 points, 3rd in West Division) welcome the Windsor Spitfires (28-27-3-2, 61 points, 4th in West Division) for a pivotal divisional matchup at The Dow Event Center.

As it currently stands, Saginaw occupies the number seven seed in the Western Conference playoff bracket with Windsor one point behind at the number eight slot. Tonight is Hockey for the Homeless Night presented by Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m.

The night begins at 4:00 p.m., with the annual Hockey for the Homeless Broomball Hockey Challenge. Teams will compete in an elimination format up until two teams are left. Those two teams will play in front of The Dow Event Center crowd during the first intermission of the Spitfires-Spirit game.

After the Broomball is completed, Christian recording artists Modern Day Cure will headline a concert along with Frankenmuth Bible Church Praise Band beginning at 5:00 p.m. inside the Budweiser Red Room, located in The Dow Event Center Atrium.

Modern Day Cure, Originally from Michigan, with two EPs and a full-length album behind them, they have now just released their new single CONFIDENT in anticipation of their 2018 EP release. Since 2012, Modern Day Cure has had the privilege to share the stage with the Newsboys, Sanctus Real, and Francesca Battistelli among many other Christian artists.

The Spirit will look to rebound from an unfavorable outcome on Wednesday night in what was a 4-1 loss to the league-leading Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. In the outing, Sault native Nicholas Porco tallied the club's only goal with a wrist shot that found the back of the net during the second period. On the play, fellow rookie Blade Jenkins led the three-on-one rush and earned the primary assist, giving the draft eligible prospect 39 points in the 2017-18 season. With one more point, Jenkins will become the first Spirit rookie since 2009-10 (Ivan Telegin and Vincent Trocheck) to eclipse the 40-point mark.

For Windsor, the Spitfires enter tonight's game reeling after a loss of their own on Thursday night to the Sudbury Wolves. In the 4-3 affair, Windsor compiled goals from Matthew MacDougall, Curtis Douglas to get out to a 2-0 first period lead. That was promptly followed by four consecutive Wolves goals to put them ahead, 4-2. Luke Kutkevicius brought the Spits to within one goal at 14:25 of the third period, but that's as close as they would get.

Saginaw is currently riding a five-game losing streak, while Windsor is playing .500 hockey in their last 10 contests. From a season-long standpoint, the Spirit and Spits have split the previous six games, with both teams winning twice on each other's home ice.

On the scoresheet, Saginaw boasts four different 40-point scorers (Marcus Crawford, Mason Kohn, Cole Coskey, Cole Coskey, Damien Giroux) with Jenkins having an opportunity to join that club tonight. Windsor's Cole Purboo leads the way for the Spitfires with 43 points, while Douglas and Jake Smith check in with 43 and 41 points respectively.

Tonight, the Spirit will be wearing their Hockey for the Homeless themed jerseys that will "light the way home" for the homeless in the Great Lakes Bay Region. The first 4,000 fans in attendance will receive glow sticks. Make sure you are waving the glow sticks when the lights are out in the building as the team enters the ice.

Stick around after the game as local radio personality Art Lewis will host a postgame jersey auction with funds raised benefiting Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan.

Make sure you bring canned or non-perishable food items or donate $1 and receive a ticket to enter the drawing for the Detroit Red Wings prize package, which includes two tickets to the Detroit Red Wings game against the New York Islanders at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday, April 7th. As part of the prize package, transportation to the game will be provided by Stretch Limo. You will receive a ticket for each item or dollar donated. 

For tickets and more information:

Reserve your seat at The Dow Event Center by calling (989) 497-7747 or visit www.saginawspirit.com for more information. YOUR Region. YOUR team. YOU'RE invited.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 2, 2018


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