OHL Saginaw Spirit

Saginaw's Top Ranked Offense Primed For Weekend Series

Published on November 10, 2009 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


(Saginaw, MI) The Saginaw Spirit enter the week in third place in the OHL Western Conference with 28 points and a record of 13-4-2-0. The team has won their last six contests, for a record of 7-2-1-0 in their last ten games. The Spirit are primed for a three game series, the first two contests taking place on the road. The team takes on the Erie Otters Wednesday at 11:00 AM and the Niagara IceDogs Thursday at 7:30 PM. The Spirit host the London Knights Saturday at 7:11 PM.

The Spirit offense has been the catalyst for the team's success, with a combined 85 goals in 19 games. The Spirit are the second top scoring team in the conference, third top scoring team in the league. The Spirit power play is the top ranked special teams unit in the league, scoring in nearly one out of every three power play situations (0.283 percent). Saginaw has notched 28 power play goals. Veteran Jordan Skellett (9G 25A), Josh Shalla (14G 10A) and OHL leading rookie scorer Ivan Telegin (14G 10A) propel the attack, and along with Phoenix Coyotes pick Jordan Szwarz (8G 9A) and team captain Tyler Murovich (7G 8A), account for the bulk of the scoring. The offense also welcomed the addition of sophomore center Michael Sgarbossa, who tallied seven goals and 13 assists in 19 games with the Barrie Colts.

The Spirit defensive unit and goaltending corps has allowed only 55 goals this season, which is tied for the best in the Western Conference and tied for fourth best in the league. Atlanta Thrashers pick Cody Sol (3G 4A) anchors the blueline with a plus-12 on the season. Veteran Joe Underwood (0G 6A) and sophomores Nick Trecapelli (0G 3A) and Brad Walch (0G 2A) are also a big part of the equation. The defense underwent a change with the trade of T.J. Brodie and Nick Crawford, but in return the Spirit blueline was bolstered with the acquisition of Ryan O'Connor (2G 10A), a high scoring defenseman who tallied 12 points in 19 games for the Colts this season. Goalie Edward Pasquale has earned a 2.63 goals against average and 0.914 save percentage in twelve games. Pasquale backstopped the Spirit in all six of their previous victories and in the first three games of November, he posted a 1.67 goals against average and 0.951 save percentage.

Saginaw Spirit at Erie Otters - The Spirit start their week with a matinee game against the Erie Otters Wednesday afternoon. The Otters are the lowest ranked team in the Western Conference with 17 points and a record of 7-9-2-1, but are only a few points out from the mid-ranked teams. They enter the week on a two game win streak and a ten game record of 5-4-1-0. The Spirit lost to the Erie Otters 6-4 on September 26, 2009.

The Otters offense suffered a bit with the departure of Colorado Avalanche pick Ryan O'Reilly to the pro ranks, but the team still boasts talent in the form of winger Anthony Luciani (14G 8A), center Andrew Yogan (8G 13A) and center Zack Torquato (9G 11A). Rookie David Broll (4G 5A), Erie's first round pick in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection, is off to a solid start with nine points in nineteen games. The defensive unit of overager Paul Cianfrini (0G 1A), New York Rangers pick Mitch Gaulton (1G 7A) and St. Louis Blues prospect David Shields (1G 5A) anchor the blueline. The defense was bolstered with the acquisition of Derek Holden (0G 5A), who is plus-4 since arriving from Peterborough. The Otters recently welcomed the return of Tampa Bay Lightning pick Jaroslav Janus from the pro ranks. The overage import player posted a 3.24 goals against average and 0.908 save percentage in 49 games last season.

Saginaw Spirit at Niagara IceDogs - The Spirit head to Niagara Thursday to take on the IceDogs for the first of their two game season series. The IceDogs are tied for sixth in the Eastern Conference with 17 points and a record of 7-11-2-1. The two teams split their season series 1-1-0-0 last year.

Winger Chris DeSousa (9G 16A), center Alex Friesen (12G 12A) and winger Andrew Agozzino (12G 10A) are the top point producers on the offense, while overagers Marco Insam (3G 4A) and Josh Moes (1G 6A) provide veteran leadership up front. Overager Reggie Traccitto (3G 7A) leads the youth movement in the defensive unit, which features Jay Gilbert (1G 4A), Mike Schwindt (0G 3A) and more. The IceDogs added Montreal Canadiens pick Petteri Simila to their goaltending corps in the off season, but sophomore Mark Visentin has seen the majority of action in net with a 3.81 goals against average and 0.900 save percentage in 16 games.

London Knights at Saginaw Spirit - The perennial league powerhouse London Knights visit the Spirit Saturday night. The Knights are a point away from the Spirit in the rankings, currently sitting in fourth place with 27 points and a record of 13-5-0-1. This is the first game of the season between the first two conference rivals since last year's conference semi-finals.

The Knights boast a highly talented offense featuring winger Daniel Erlich (6G 12A), San Jose Sharks prospect Phil Varone (3G 15) and St. Louis Blues pick Philip McRae (6G 11A). The team also welcomed the return of Toronto Maple Leafs pick Nazem Kadri (10G 6A) in October, who quickly found the net to become the team's top goals producer. Leigh Salters (6G 5A) and Justin Taylor (7G 4A) are two of the best overagers in the league, and along with Philadelphia Flyers pick Zac Rinaldo (4G 3A) provide toughness up front. Veterans Steven Tarasuk (5G 6A) and Michael D'Orazio (2G 7A) man the blueline which provides the backbone for the league's fourth top penalty killing unit in the league (84%). The defense also features the Knights 2009 OHL Priority Selection first round pick Scott Harrington (0G 5A), who is plus-9 in his first 10 games. The Knights have one of the top goaltending unit in the league, featuring Boston Bruins prospect Michael Hutchinson and rookie Michael Houser. Hutchinson has a 2.99 goals against average and 0.908 save percentage in 12 games and Houser has posted a 2.40 goals against average and 0.921 save percentage in seven games.

Tickets are on sale now! For more information, please contact the Official Saginaw Spirit Ticket and Merchandise Store located at 5789 State Street in Saginaw or call 989-497-7747.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 10, 2009


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