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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Saginaw's Seven Goal Performance Stings Sarnia

January 29, 2010 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


(Sarnia, ON) The Saginaw Spirit dropped the Sarnia Sting 7-2 at the Sarnia RBC Centre Friday night. The win was propelled by a seven goal performance lead by Tyler Murovich and Ryan O'Connor, both of whom had two goals in the effort. The Spirit, with 51 points and a record of 23-21-4-1, return to Saginaw for a Saturday night re-match against the Sting. As of Friday night less than 600 tickets remain for the game, which also features the third annual MCVI Foundation Shocks and Saves charity event pre-game at 4:30 PM.

The game opened with the Sting getting onto the scoreboard first, thanks to winger Craig Hottot notching a goal at 8:16 in the opening period from wingers Braden Kavaratzis and Brandon Francisco. The Spirit quickly answered with seven consecutive goals, two of which came in the first frame. Winger Michael Kantor scored an unassisted goal at the 9:25 mark to even up the contest, and captain Tyler Murovich scored at the 17:20 mark to move the score to 2-1 Saginaw. Defenseman Joe Underwood and winger Jordan Szwarz (NHL Phoenix Coyotes) assisted on Murovich's goal.

The Spirit offense exploded in the second period with four straight goals. Murovich scored his second goal of the night unassisted at 11:41, and a power play goal scored by defenseman Ryan O'Connor that was assisted by center Michael Sgarbossa gave the Spirit a healthy 4-1 lead. Szwarz scored his sixteenth of the season at the 15:52 mark, courtesy an assist from defenseman and former Sting blueliner Jordan Hill. O'Connor would tally his second of the night, again a power play marker assisted by Sgarbossa, at 19:40 to end the period with Saginaw leading 6-1.

Spirit winger Josh Shalla continued Saginaw's scoring momentum into the third period with a goal at the 6:22 mark, moving the score to 7-1 Saginaw. Wingers Jordan Skellett and Dylan Fitze assisted on the goal. The Sting would close out scoring in the final minutes of the game, with Kavaratzis scoring his first OHL career goal at 18:42.

Saginaw goalie Edward Pasquale (NHL Atlanta Thrashers) tallied 30 saves on 32 shots, while Sarnia's goaltending corps accounted for 30 saves on 37 shots. Shayne Campbell posted 13 saves on 19 shots in the first two periods of play, with Jesse Raymond earning 17 saves on 18 shots after replacing Campbell to start the third period.

The Spirit will return to The Dow Event Center this Saturday, January 30 for a rematch against the Sting. The game will see the two division rivals face off at 7:30 PM following the third annual MCVI Foundation Shocks and Saves charity hockey game, which will see local doctors and emergency medical personal hit the ice along side Detroit Red Wings alumni Jiri Fischer and other Red Wing greats to raise awareness and funds in the fight against heart disease. The game, presented by Biotronik with support from MMR and the Healthy Heart Foundation, will start at 4:30 PM. A Spirit ticket dated for January 30, 2010 is good for both games, and as of Friday night less than 600 tickets remain! For ticket information, please contact the Spirit at 989-497-7747 or visit the Official Saginaw Spirit Ticket and Merchandise Store at 5789 State Street in Saginaw.

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