OHL Saginaw Spirit

Perfetti Nets Two on Opening Night as Spirit Down the Hounds, 5-2

Published on September 19, 2018 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Cole Perfetti of the Saginaw Spirit
Cole Perfetti of the Saginaw Spirit
(Saginaw Spirit)

Saginaw, Michigan - The Saginaw Spirit kicked off the 2018 - 19 season against the 2018 OHL Final runner-up Soo Greyhounds from the Dow Event Center on Wednesday night. The Spirit was looking for revenge after the first round loss to the Greyhounds last season. Saginaw recently returned several players from NHL training camps including Detroit Red Wings prospects Brady Gilmour and Reilly Webb.

The first period featured strong goaltending early with both Saginaw's Cameron Lamour and Sault Ste. Marie's Tyler Johnson making strong saves to keep their respective teams in the game. The first goal came when Saginaw's 2018 first round selection Cole Perfetti placed a wrist shot top shelf from bottom of the left circle. The lone assist came on a nice pass by DJ Busdeker at 10:54 of the period. It was Perfetti's first goal as a Spirit in his first regular season OHL game. Saginaw ended the first 20 minutes with a 1-0 lead.

The physical play picked up in the second period with both teams fighting for zone presence. The game's second goal came at 4:01 in the second period when the Soo's Ryan O'Rourke tied the score at 1-1 off a three-on-one, the two assists coming from Morgan Frost (Philadelphia Flyers 2017 first round pick) and Anthony DeMeo. About five minutes later, the Spirit regained their lead on the power play when Cole Perfetti scored his second of the game at 11:29 in the period. Perfetti's goal came off a backdoor pass from Cole Coskey, the secondary assist went to Albert Michnac. With just eight seconds remaining in the period, Saginaw added to their lead off another power play coming unassisted from defenseman Mason Millman, who collected his first career OHL goal. Saginaw outshot the Greyhounds, 20-4.

The Spirit added a goal at 8:55 of the third period when Michnac fed a one-timer to Aidan Prueter, who hammered the puck past Johnson to give the Spirit a 4-1 lead. The assists gave Michnac two on the evening. He would go on to score an empty net goal with just over four minutes remaining to put the game in a 5-1 stranglehold. The Hounds would score a late goal, but would not get any closer, with Saginaw prevailing, 5-2.

Special teams played a huge role as Saginaw went 2-for-4 on the power play and was successful in all four penalty kill situations.

Applebee's three stars of the game:

1. SAG - Cole Perfetti - 2G

2. SAG - Mason Millman - G

3. SAG - Cameron Lamour - W, 23 saves

Saginaw will host their West Division rival Sarnia Sting Saturday night, as they will try to build off the season opener win. For tickets, call (989) 497-7747, visit saginawspirit.com or by visiting the Saginaw Spirit Store at 5789 State Street, Saginaw, MI.

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

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Cole Perfetti of the Saginaw Spirit
Cole Perfetti of the Saginaw Spirit
   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 19, 2018


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