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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Preview: Spirit Conclude Road Trip Sunday Afternoon in Mississauga

December 9, 2018 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Mississauga, ON - Putting an end to a two-game losing steak Saturday thanks to a combined five points from a pair of New York Islanders prospects, the Saginaw Spirit visit the Paramount Fine Foods Centre today for the final of three consecutive road games.

A rematch from November 9 in which Saginaw scored three goals in the third period, en route to a 5-1 final at The Dow Event Center, the second place OHL West Division club plays guest to the Mississauga Steelheads at 2:00 p.m.

Listen live on the flagship WSGW FM Talk & Sports 100.5 and fmtalk1005.com with Joey Battaino and Dennis Derosiers. Pre-game coverage begins 15 minutes prior to puck drop at 6:45 p.m.

Sunday will mark the final of two regular-season meetings between Saginaw and the 2017 OHL Memorial Cup runner-up. Through 29 games this season, Mississauga is sixth in the Eastern Conference standings at 32 points, on 15 wins, 12 losses and two overtime losses.

A six-game losing streak that dates back to November 22 was erased on Friday for the Steelheads, whose four goals at home, including three unanswered in the final frame, was enough to put away the Oshawa Generals and snap a three-week long setback without a win.

Saginaw's 5-3 win against the Erie Otters would be the catalyst for a jump in the West Division. Now, behind only leader Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, the Spirit return home next weekend for two crucial back-to-back games against the Windsor Spitfires and Sarnia Sting, with the latter featuring the annual "Teddy Bear Toss Night" on Saturday, December 15.

The Spirit also take hold of fifth place in the Western Conference standings at 33 points, on 15 wins, 11 losses, one overtime loss and two shootout losses, going 5-4-1-0 since November 14.

Receiving first and second-star honors on Friday was Blade Jenkins and Bode Wilde, respectively. Leading the way in four unanswered goals scored before the third period against the fifth place Midwest Division club, the Spirit picked up their first road win in 14 days.

Jenkins would record a goal and two assists to have the second-most points among all Saginaw players (27) on 13 goals and 17 assists through 28 games. The fifth round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft is currently on a three-game points streak in which he's totaled seven since December 1.

The Jackson, Michigan native's unassisted goal against Erie came at 6:53 in the second period for the 3-1 lead. Both Jenkins and Wilde would be credited for the assist on the first two Saginaw goals.

Wilde, who agreed to a three-year, entry level contract earlier this week with the Islanders, is sixth among OHL defenseman in points (26) on six goals and 20 assists. The six-foot, 190 pounder has one assist or more in the previous four games, recently scoring the game-winning goal on Thanksgiving Day in overtime over the North Bay Battalion.

Making his fourth appearance and second start in net this season on Friday was rookie goaltender Tristan Lennox, who was recalled back to Saginaw after 11 games with the Brantford 99ers in the Ontario Junior Hockey League. Drafted in the second round of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection, Lennox stopped 25 shots for his first career OHL win.

Fellow 2018 second round Ethan Cardwell celebrated his first career OHL goal just one day after Spirit general manager Dave Drinkill announced the recall of the 16-year-old forward.

Cardwell played 24 games this season with the Trenton Golden Hawks of the OJHL, recording double-digit points (17) on five goals and 12 assists. The 33rd overall pick scored the fourth straight goal for Saginaw against the Otters at 8:45 in the second period.

Veteran Cole Coskey extended his points streak to four games with the game-tying goal onFriday with 7:22 remaining in the first period. Tied with rookie standout Cole Perfetti for most goals (13) among all Spirit players, Coskey also leads the team in points (31) tied for second in assists (18).

Coskey will compete for a spot on the 23-player list in representing the United States in the 2019 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship from Dec. 26, 2018-Jan. 5, 2019, in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia.

The second of back-to-back power play goals at 5:32 in the second period was scored by Minnesota Wild prospect Damien Giroux. The captain's 12th goal this season and fifth man-up goal for the Spirit in three straight games, Giroux is fifth on the team in points (22) and sixth in assists (10).

On special teams, Saginaw has the league's seventh best power play with 24 goals on 102 chances for a 23.5 percent success rate. The penalty kill for the Spirit is 13th overall at 78.7 percent with 22 goals allowed.

Leading the way in points (36) for the Steelheads is former 2015 Windsor draft pick Cole Carter on 22 goals and 14 assists. One-of-two players for Mississauga to surpass the 30 points mark, Carter has totaled nine points, including three on November 18, over the last six games and is third in the OHL in power play goals (9).

10th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft by the Florida Panthers, Owen Tippett, is ranked second among all OHL players in first goals scored in a game (6) and fourth in game-winning goals (4). The 18-year-old has notched 19 goals and 14 assists for 33 points.

2018 Edmonton Oilers second rounder and former 2015 OHL third overall pick, Ryan McLeod, and overage forward Alan Lyszczarczyk have combined for 37 points and are third (29) and fourth (26) for the Steelheads in points, respectively.

Los Angeles Kings goaltending prospect Jacob Ingham has a goals against average (GAA) of 3.14 and a .898 save percentage (SAV%). The Barrie, Ontario, native has garnered 707 saves and 14 wins through 26 appearances this season.

On special teams, Mississauga is ranked sixth on the power play with 30 goals scored on 127 chances for a 23.6 percent success rate. The Steelheads are 12th in penalty killing, allowing 20 goals on 98 man-down situations for a 78.7 percent success rate.

There will be a combined nine players on the ice Sunday with their rights owned by NHL teams. For the Steelheads, it'll be Tippett (Florida), McLeod (Edmonton) and Ingham (Los Angeles).

Defenseman Reilly Webb (Detroit), forward Brady Gilmour (Detroit), goaltender Ivan Prosvetov (Arizona), Jenkins (NY Islanders), Wilde (NY Islanders) and Giroux (Minnesota) will represent the Spirit.

Saginaw will host the Spitfires next Friday, December 14, at The Dow for the fourth-of-eight regular-seasons meetings between the West Division rivals. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.

To purchase your tickets for all Saginaw home games, 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.

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