Preview: Spirit Set to Tangle with Frontenacs Friday in Kingston
Published on January 25, 2019 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release
Kingston, ON - The Saginaw Spirit (29-12-2-2 62 pts.) continue their current five-game road trip against the Kingston Frontenacs (12-32-1-0 25 pts.) Friday evening January 25. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m (EST). at Leon's Centre for the first meeting of the season between the two combatants.
Fans can listen live on the flagship WSGW 100.5 FM Talk and Sports or on fmtalk1005.com with "Countdown to Puck Drop" beginning at 6:45 p.m. with Joey Battaino and Dennis Desrosiers on the call.
Fans are encouraged to visit the Buffalo Wild Wings at 2690 Tittabawassee Rd, Saginaw, MI for the official Saginaw Spirit "Watch Party" for all remaining road games this season with free admission.
The Spirit look to continue the stellar play after extending their win streak to four games after defeating the Peterborough Petes, 5-4 Thursday evening. Saginaw has been one of the hottest teams in all Major Junior hockey, with just one loss in the last 12 games. The Spirit find themselves just three-points behind the West Division first place Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds with Thurday's victory.
Leading scorer Cole Coskey led the Spirit with three points against the Petes earning OHL's First Star of the Night in the effort. With two goals against Peterborough, the Zion, Illinois native passed Jimmy Lodge for 13th in team history with 67 goals. Coskey now finds himself just two assists from Tyler Murovich 15th all-time in Spirit assists.
Florida Panthers prospect Owen Tippett added an assist in his return to his hometown Peterborough. The 2017 first round pick signed an entry-level contract with the Panthers before last season. Tippett scored two points in two games this season against Kingston while playing with Mississauga.
Edmonton Oilers second round pick Ryan McLeod has been strong against the Frontenac in his last two seasons. The 40th overall pick in 2018 has five goals and six assists in six games against Kingston while playing with the Mississauga Steelheads. McLeod has points in all but one game since the Spirit acquired him before the trade deadline.
Saginaw's Cole Perfetti moved into second among OHL rookies in points with a goal on Thursday. The Whitby, Ontario native is now just two points behind Sarnia's Jacob Perreault.
With two more power play goals against Peterborough, the Saginaw Spirit now have the fifth-best power play in the OHL. With 39 goals in 155 man-power advantages the Spirit have a season power play percentage of 25.2%.
To go along with a top-five power play, the Spirit also have the fifth-best penalty kill in the OHL.
2019 NHL Draft prospect Nicholas Porco added a short-handed goal in the 5-4 victory Thursday. Porco landed at 101 in the NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings for the 2019 NHL Draft which takes place in Vancouver, British Columbia on June 21-22.
The Frontenacs have moved in a very different direction than the red-hot Spirit. Kingston has lost two straight and nine of the last 10 games for last place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Kingston's special teams have struggled this season ranking near the bottom in both penalty kill and power play rankings.
Overager Ryan Cranford leads all Kingston players this season with 28 points. The 10th round pick of the Frontenacs also leads the team with 12 goals.
Defenseman Billy Constantinou is three-points behind Cranford for the team points lead. Constantinou came over to Kingston in the massive trade with Niagara IceDogs earlier in the season.
The Spirit boast eight players drafted by NHL clubs, forwards Brady Gilmour (Detroit Red Wings), Blade Jenkins (New York Islanders), Ryan McLeod (Edmonton Oilers), Owen Tippett (Florida Panthers-signed), Damien Giroux (Minnesota Wild), defensemen Reilly Webb (Detroit Red Wings), Bode Wilde (New York Islanders-signed), and goaltender Ivan Prosvetov (Arizona Coyotes).
The Saginaw Spirit returns to The Dow Saturday, February 2 to continue the I-75 Divide Rivalry against the in-state rival Flint Firebirds. Pulse 3 presents the twelvth annual Shocks and Saves Charity Game between the Detroit Red Wings alumni and the Pulse 3 foundations local EMT's and doctors. Puck drop between the Spirit and Firebirds is set for 7:05 p.m. with the charity game beginning before the game at 4:30 p.m.
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 Street, Saginaw, MI.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 25, 2019
- Wolves Keep Petes in Den - Peterborough Petes
- Spirit Earn Fifth Consecutive Win in 7-1 Victory over Kingston - Saginaw Spirit
- 67's Win Third Straight in 15-Goal Game - Ottawa 67's
- Rangers Lose 7-2 to the Firebirds - Kitchener Rangers
- Pink in the Rink Equipment Auction Live Now - Niagara IceDogs
- Preview: Spirit Set to Tangle with Frontenacs Friday in Kingston - Saginaw Spirit
- Preview: Firebirds Face-Off vs. Rangers in Kitchener Friday - Flint Firebirds
- Spirit Edge Petes in Narrow Victory - Peterborough Petes
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