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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Rookies Cardwell, Lennox Steal the Show in Erie, Spirit Win 5-3

December 8, 2018 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Erie, PA - The Saginaw Spirit snap a two-game losing streak after defeating the Erie Otters, 5-3 on the road. Rookie goaltender Tristan Lennox collected his first career OHL victory in goal.

Saginaw controlled much of the fast-paced play early and nearly took the lead after Detroit Red Wings prospect Brady Gilmour hit the post just over a minute into the period. After a pass from Spirit first round pick Cole Perfetti, Gilmour skated around the Erie goal and his wrap-around attempt hit the right post.

The Otters opened the scoring just over seven minutes into the first period with Erie's Import Draft first round pick Petr Cajka's 13th goal of the season. The Czech forward's pass attempt from the right corner hit Detroit Red Wings prospect Reilly Webb and banked into the Spirit net to give Erie a one-goal lead.

Saginaw's leading scorer Cole Coskey evened up the score on the power play a little over five minutes later. Coskey took a perfect wrist shot from the left half wall that beat Erie's goaltender Daniel Murphy over the blocker. New York Islanders prospects Bode Wilde and Blade Jenkins combined for the assists on the play.

Erie's chance to regain the lead in the waning minutes of the first period was set aside by Saginaw's rookie goaltender Tristan Lennox. After some nice dekes passed a Spirit defender, the Otters' forward Danial Singer attempted to deke to his back hand that was denied by Lennox's stretched pad and kept the game tied, 1-1 heading into the first intermission.

The Spirit took the lead on their second man power advantage 5:32 into the second period with captain Damien Giroux's 12th goal of the season. Bode Wilde took a wrist shot from the point that Minnesota Wild prospect Giroux redirected into the Erie goal.

Saginaw took a two-goal lead just 1:21 later off a Erie turnover in their own end. Jackson, Michigan native Blade Jenkins knocked in his 10th goal of the season after an Erie defender turned the puck over in front of the net. Jenkins has been very strong throughout his career against the Erie Otters, scoring two goals and seven points in just five games coming into the game.

Saginaw's 2018 second round pick Ethan Cardwell notched his first OHL goal less than two minutes later to give the Spirit a 4-1 lead. With Bode Wilde coming into the Erie zone on a two-on-one rush, Cardwell took a great wrist shot from the right face-off circle off the right post and into the net.

Just over a minute after the Cardwell goal, Erie cut into the Saginaw lead with Joseph Mack's fourth goal of the season. Emmett Sproule sent a pass from behind the Spirit goal to the front of the net when Mack one-timed the puck passed Lennox to bring the Otters to within two-goals.

Albert Michnac nearly added another goal for the Spirit in the second period with a breakaway opportunity. The overager tried to stuff the puck into the net after a deke to the back-hand but a strong pad from the Erie goaltender kept the puck out of the goal. The Spirit took a 4-2 lead into the second intermission after they controlled most of the play and out shot the Otters, 18-8 in the second frame.

With the Spirit on the power play, Erie's leading goal scorer Gera Poddubnyi brought the Otters to within one goal with just over five minutes remaining in the game. Poddubnyi made a inside out deke and slid the puck past Lennox for the short-handed goal.

On the same power play just 25 seconds later, Saginaw's 2017 first round pick Nicholas Porco gave the Spirit the insurance tally. After Albert Michnac sent a pass to the center of the ice, Porco collected his own rebound and sent a wrist shot over Erie goaltender's outstretched pad. With the goal, the Spirit are now 5-for-6 in man power advantage opportunities after going 2-for-2 in Niagara in their last game.

Applebee's Three Stars of the Game:

1. Blade Jenkins (SAG) G, 2A

2. Bode Wilde (SAG) 2A

3. Kurtis Henry (ER) 2A

The Saginaw Spirit concludes the three-game road trip Sunday afternoon, December 9, against the Mississauga Steelheads. The Spirit took the first game of the season, 5-1 at The Dow Event Center. Puck drop for second and final meeting of the season between the two teams begins at 2:00 p.m. with pregame coverage beginning at 1:45 p.m. Fans can catch all the action on FM Talk and Sports 100.5 and www.fmtalk1005.com with Joey Battaino and Dennis Desrosiers on the call.

The Spirit return home Friday, December 14, for the fourth meeting of the season against the West Division rival Windsor Spitfires. Saginaw looks for their first win of the season against Windsor. Puck drops between the two heated rivals at 7:05 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.

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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Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2018


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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