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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Preview: Spirit, Firebirds Clash for Fifth Meeting Wednesday

January 2, 2019 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Flint, Michigan - The Saginaw Spirit (21-11-2-2 46 pts.) continues the Coors Light I-75 Divide rivalry on the road Wednesday, January 2 to take on the in-state rival Flint Firebirds (5-31-2-0 12pts.) Puck drop for the fifth meeting of the season between the West Division Foes is set for 7:00 p.m.

The Spirit look to clinch the Coors Light I-75 Divide Cup for the second season in a row. Saginaw have now won 11 of the last 12 games against Flint and collected 23 out of a possible 24 points in the stretch.

Head coach Chris Lazary has led Saginaw to a 10-2-1-1 record since taking over back on November 22.

Saginaw is coming off a 5-0 victory over Flint on Sunday, December 30. Rookie goaltender Tristan Lennox stopped 23 shots en route to his first career OHL shutout. The 16-year old collected first star honors for his effort in the win.

The shutout was the second of the season for the Spirit against the Firebirds after Arizona Coyotes prospect Ivan Prosvetov stopped all 19 shots faced on home ice back on October 20. The Russian goaltender is fifth among OHL goaltenders with 17 wins this season.

Jackson, Michigan native Blade Jenkins led Saginaw's offensive attack in Sunday's victory. The New York Islanders prospect scored two goals including the game-winning first tally. Jenkins is riding a three-game goal streak and has registered at least a point in nine of the last 10 games.

Fellow New York Islanders prospect Bode Wilde extended his point streak to six games in the 5-0 shutout against Flint. The standout defenseman is currently third among OHL defenseman with 37 points.

Saginaw leading scorer Cole Coskey is currently riding an eight-game point streak, the longest for a Saginaw player since Albert Michnac's 13-game point streak to start the 2018-19 season. Coskey has collected at least a goal in six of the last seven games after he converted on a penalty shot in the victory over Flint. The Zion, Illinois native was recently selected to attend Team USA World Juniors tryouts in Everett, Washington over the holiday break.

Defenseman Justin Murray has helped solidify the back end for the Spirit since being acquired from the Barrie Colts on December 9. The overager has a plus-minus of plus-four in the seven games played for Saginaw. Murray is 19th among OHL defenseman with 20 points through 35 games this season.

The Saginaw defensive core will attempt to contain Dallas Stars prospect Ty Dellandrea. Dellandrea, a 2018 first round pick for Dallas, is first among Flint players with 20 assists and second with 33 points this season.

Flint right-winger Jake Durham leads the Firebirds with 23 goals and 37 points, which are both are career bests for the former Hamilton Bulldogs seventh round pick.

In a trade Tuesday, Flint acquired forward Cody Morgan from Windsor. In return, the Firebirds trade a second-round pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection and a fourth-round pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection.

Morgan was a first-round (12th overall) selection by the Kingston Frontenacs in the 2017 OHL Draft. The Richmond, Ont. native has recorded 30 points (12G, 18A) in 96 career OHL games.

The Firebirds also moved veteran forward C.J. Clarke to the Mississauga Steelheads and obtained a fourth round pick in 2024 in return. Clarke had 11 points in 38 games this season for the 'Birds.

The Firebirds have three players drafted by NHL teams on their roster. Forward Ty Dellandrea (Dallas Stars) and defensemen Fedor Gordeev (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Dennis Busby (Arizona Coyotes).

The Spirit roster boasts six players with rights owned by NHL clubs. Forwards Brady Gilmour (Detroit Red Wings), Blade Jenkins (New York Islanders), Damien Giroux (Minnesota Wild), defensemen Reilly Webb (Detroit Red Wings), Bode Wilde (New York Islanders), and goaltender Ivan Prosvetov (Arizona Coyotes).

Fans can catch Wednesday's action on FM Talk and Sports 100.5 and fmtalk1005.com with pregame coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m. with Joey Battaino and Dennis Desrosiers on the call.

Saginaw returns home to face the Kitchener Rangers Saturday, January 5 for Holy Cross Children Services Night at The Dow Event Center. Detroit Red Wings broadcaster's Ken Kal and Ken Daniels will be appearing in the Budweiser Red Room before the game beginning at 5:30 p.m. Fans will receive a Saginaw Spirit player poster presented by Jets Pizza upon arrival in the arena.

The game will be the fourth and final meeting of the season between the Western Conference foes. The Spirit dropped the last meeting against the Rangers on the road after taking the first two games of the season.

To purchase tickets to any Saginaw Spirit home game call (989) 497-7747, visit saginawspirit.com, or by visiting the Saginaw Spirit Store at 5789 State Steet, Saginaw, MI.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 2, 2019


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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