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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Preview: Spirit, Rangers Put Winning Streaks on the Line Saturday

January 30, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


SAGINAW, MI - On Saturday night, the Saginaw Spirit (20-23-2-2 44 points, 4th West Division) host the Kitchener Rangers (33-8-4-0 70 points, 3rd Midwest Division) at The Dow Event Center on Shocks and Saves Night presented by Pulse3 Foundation and Mobile Medical Response. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.

The Spirit are riding high after posting their second win in a row and fifth consecutive victory of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds last night by a final of 5-3. The Spirit were led by a two-goal effort from Matthew Kreis and a three-point night by Jesse Barwell. Evan Cormier picked up his 18th win of the season, making 30 saves to secure two points for the Spirit. With the win, the Spirit moved to within two points of the Soo for third place in the Division and seventh place in the Western Conference. The Spirit continued their special teams prowess last night, shutting out the Hounds on the power play and killing off their 22nd consecutive penalty. The Spirit last gave up a power play goal on January 8th at home against the Niagara Ice Dogs, an empty net goal by Jordan Maletta.

Kitchener has won three games in a row and seven of their last ten after shutting out the Windsor Spitfires Friday night 2-0 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. The Rangers high-powered offense has scored the third most goals in the Western Conference (179) and given up the second least (120). Led by Arizona Coyotes second round pick in 2014 Ryan MacInnis, and Rangers first round pick in 2014 Adam Mascherin with 58 points, the Rangers currently sit in fourth place in the Western Conference. Kitchener's goaltending has been sensational this season with arguably the best one-two punch in the OHL in netminders Luke Opilka (St. Louis) and Dawson Carty, both with goals against average marks under 2.50 and save percentages at .915% or above.

Head to Head:

The Spirit look to avoid the season sweep tonight, as Kitchener has won the first three games of this series. On October 25th, the Spirit tried to mount a late comeback, but fell to the Rangers 4-3 at The Aud. Matthew Kreis scored two goals for the Spirit and Dylan Sadowy had three assists. (Box Score). On November 13, Kitchener chased Evan Cormier in the first period and the Spirit never recovered, falling 6-2. Darby Llewellyn scored twice and Jeremy Bracco had three assists for the Rangers. (Box Score). Led by a four goal second period, the Rangers won their third straight against the Spirit on January 16, 7-4. Mitchell Stephens and Blake Clarke had a goal and an assist for the Spirit. (Box Score).

Broadcast Information:

Spirit fans can catch radio broadcasts on WSGW 100.5 FM, www.fmtalk1005.com , and the FM Talk 100.5 App in the App Store or Google Play with the voices of Spirit Hockey, Joey Battaino and Dennis Desrosiers. For a full TV Broadcast schedule, Click Here. Tonight's broadcast begins at 7:10 p.m.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2016


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