OHL Saginaw Spirit

Meijer Eagles Nest Notes: Heated Rivalries Renew With Three Game Tilt

Published on December 2, 2009 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


(Saginaw, MI) The Saginaw Spirit start off December with a three game tilt, starting with two games against division rival the Plymouth Whalers. The team goes on a road trip to Plymouth Wednesday night for a 7:05 PM contest against the Whalers, then returns to Saginaw the following Friday for a 7:11 PM re-match. The Spirit wrap up the weekend with a 7:11 PM game against the London Knights Saturday night.

The Spirit are ranked second in the OHL West Division, fourth in the OHL Western Conference, with 34 points and a record of 16-9-2. The team is the second top scoring team in the OHL Western Conference, third in the league, with 113 goals in 27 games. Saginaw also boasts the fifth top power play unit in the league, scoring on nearly every fourth opportunity.

Jordan Skellett (13G 34A) is the second top scorer in the league with 47 points in 27 games. Josh Shalla (16G 16A) is ranked nineteenth in the top scorer category, and is the second top goal scorer on the team with 16 on the season. Ivan Telegin (18G 12A) is the team's top goal scorer, and enters the week the top rookie scorer in the league.

Plymouth Whalers at Saginaw Spirit- The Plymouth Whalers face off against the Spirit twice this week. The Whalers are ranked fifth in the OHL West Division with 30 points and a record of 15-13-0-0. Saginaw's chief rival features one of the top penalty killing squads in the league with a rating of 84%. The Spirit beat the Whalers in their home opener 6-1.

Top NHL prospect Tyler Seguin (20G 20A) is leading the Whalers offense with 40 points in 24 games; NHL Central Scouting had Sequin ranked the top OHL skater eligible for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in their preliminary rankings. Other top scorers include winger Myles McCauley (17G 11A) and Florida Panthers pick A.J. Jenks (10G 13A). The Whalers made a trade early in the season to pick up Anaheim Ducks pick Josh Brittain (9G 10A) from the Barrie Colts, and rookie Garrett Meurs (7G 12A) is the fourth top rookie scorer in the league league. Overage defenseman Leo Jenner (3G 5A) has posted a team high plus-12 in 28 games, and along with Carolina Panthers pick Michal Jordan (3G 9A) man the blueline. Goalie Matt Hackett is one of the best in the OHL, ranked second in the league's top save percentage category with a 0.927 save percentage in 23 games. The Minnesota Wild pick has posted a 2.66 goals against average on the season.

London Knights at Saginaw Spirit- The Knights enter the week ranked second in the OHL Midwest Division with 37 points and a record of 18-8-0-1. The Spirit beat the Knights 3-2 in early November.

Toronto Maple Leafs pick Nazem Kadri (15G 13A) and St. Louis Blues pick Philip McRae (8G 18A) are averaging a least a point per game to keep London one of the top contending teams in the conference. Overage center Justin Taylor (14G 7A), winger Daniel Erlich (6G 14A), center Jared Knight (12G 6A) and San Jose Sharks prospect Philip Varone (3G 15A) round out the offense. The Knights boast one of the strongest bluelines in the league, featuring defensemen Matt Ashman (1G 3A) at plus-17, overager Steven Tarasuk (7G 13) at plus-16 and Scott Harrington (0G 6A) at plus-12. Tarasuk enters the week ranked thirteenth in the league's top scoring d-man category. The Knights goaltending corps has backstopped the team to the lowest goals against rank in the OHL Western Conference, with only 79 goals tallied against London this season. Boston Bruins pick Michael Hutchinson has earned a 2.87 goals against average and 0.912 save percentage in 17 games and rookie Michael Houser has posted a 2.59 goals against average and 0.915 save percentage in 10 games.

Tickets are on sale now! Tickets are on sale now for the two upcoming homes games, taking place on Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5. For more information, please contact the Official Saginaw Spirit Ticket and Merchandise Store located at 5789 State Street in Saginaw or call 989-497-7747.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2009


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