Preview: Red-Hot Spirit Host Firebirds Wednesday Night
Published on December 16, 2015 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release
SAGINAW, MI - On Wednesday night, the Saginaw Spirit (13-16-1-1, 5th West Division) welcome the Flint Firebirds (13-14-1-2, 4th West Division) to The Dow Event Center for their sixth of eight meetings this season.
The Spirit are coming off a successful three-game road swing that saw the team pick up wins in Guelph and Oshawa and drop a one-goal contest to the Niagara Ice Dogs. Dating back to November 27th, the Spirit have won five out of their last six games, including a 4-3 shootout win in their last encounter with the Firebirds on December 4th in Flint.
Flint has dropped their past four games and finds themselves only one point ahead of the Saginaw Spirit in the West Division standings.
Head-to-Head:
In five matchups this season, both teams have been led by a balanced offensive attack. Spirit centermen Matthew Kreis is leading the way against the Firebirds with six points. Defensively, Marcus Crawford and Will Petschenig have chipped in with a combined total of seven points against Flint this season. Evan Cormier has made all five starts in net against the Firebirds this season, posting a 2-2-0-1 record with a 2.91 goals against average and a .915 save percentage.
Flint has been led by third-year defenseman Mathieu Henderson netting a goal and five assists in the five games against the Spirit this season. Detroit Red Wings prospect Vili Saarijarvi also has five helpers versus Saginaw this season. Overager and New Jersey Devils prospect Connor Chatham has three goals and two assists against the Spirit thus far to lead forward scoring for Flint. Current Sudbury Wolves goalie Zack Bowman had the Spirit guessing in the first two meetings of the season, only yielding two goals in two games and picking up two victories for Flint. Alex Nedeljkovic had shouldered the rest of the load for Flint, posting a 1-1-0-1 record with a 3.27 goals against average and a .907 save percentage. Since their last meeting, the Carolina Hurricanes signee has been dealt to Niagara. The Spirit will most likely see Dallas Stars prospect Brent Moran in goal for the Firebirds. In two career appearances against the Spirit, Moran is 1-0-0-1 with a 2.00 goals against average and a .938 save percentage.
College Night:
On Wednesday night, the Spirit will host their first College Night of the season. $2 Jets Pizza slices and $2 12 oz. beer will be for sale in the Bud Light Blue Line Club throughout the game against the Firebirds. The Bud Light Blue Line Club opens at 6:00pm when The Dow Event Center doors open.
The Spirit hope the force will be with them Saturday night when they battle the Windsor Spitfires on Star Wars Night. Darth Vader and his storm troopers will be in attendance. For tickets, call (989) 497-7747 or visit www.saginawspirit.com/
Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2015
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- CHL Announces BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings - OHL
- Giveaways, Holiday Specials and Intense Hockey Planned for Petes Holiday Classic - Peterborough Petes
- Preview: Red-Hot Spirit Host Firebirds Wednesday Night - Saginaw Spirit
- Walker Named All-Star Honorary Captain - Guelph Storm
- Preview: Flint, Saginaw Continue Battle for I-75 Divide Cup Wednesday - Flint Firebirds
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