OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Battle Knights in 6-5 Shootout Loss

October 30, 2010 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


The Saginaw Spirit battled back from an early three goal deficit to force extra time, losing 6-5 after a seven round shootout. Saginaw earns a point despite the loss, moving their point total to 26 and their record to 12-2-1-1. Newly acquired center Mathew Sisca tallied two goals in his Spirit debut, while former Knight Matt Ashman netted two assists against his former teammates.

The Spirit opened scoring in the first period, with center Mathew Sisca scoring at the 5:19 mark from defenseman Alex Lepkowski. The goal marked Sisca's first in Spirit uniform since arriving via trade earlier in the day.

The Knights quickly answered with four consecutive goals giving them a 4-1 lead over the Spirit. Winger Stephen Sanza tallied a goal at 17:15 in the first from winger Tyler J. Brown and winger Chris DeSousa. Winger Andreas Athanasiou scored less than a minute later at 17:50 to give the Knights the lead, courtesy assists from center Daniel Erlich and winger Vladislav Namestnikov. The Knights momentum would carry into the second period, where Erlich scored his sixth of the season at the 2:52 mark from Namestnikov and Athanasiou. A power play goal tallied by defenseman Michael D'Orazio from Erlich and winger Colin Martin at 7:38 in the second would cap off the Knights' scoring spree and give them a three goal advantage over the Spirit.

The Spirit would rally moments later however, fighting their way back into the game with three straight goals. Defenseman Ryan O'Connor would score at 9:29 in the second from center Ivan Telegin to reduce the deficit, then moments later winger Josh Shalla tallied his tenth of the season from center Brandon Saad and defenseman Matt Ashman at 12:13 to move the score to 4-3. Sisca would notch his second goal of the night at the 15:58 mark courtesy assists from Ashman and Telegin to tie up the game at four apiece.

Sisca's second goal would drive London goalie Igor Bobkov from net, to be replaced by Michael Houser. The change temporarily stymied Saginaw's momentum, and the Knights would tally a goal in the final seconds of the frame to retake their lead. D'Orazio notched his second goal of the night at 19:24, a power play marker from defenseman Scott Harrington and Erlich to move the score to 5-4.

The Spirit would tie up the game in the opening minutes of the third period, thanks to a goal from center Vincent Trocheck from Saad and O'Connor at the 3:07 mark. The two teams would continue to battle in the third period, but neither team was able to secure the lead and the game moved through a 5:00 minute 4-on-4 overtime and into a shootout. The shootout saw seven rounds before a final decision could be reached, but in the end it was the Knights that squeaked out the victory and secured the two points. London's Namestnikov tallied the game winning goal in the shootout.

Spirit goalie Mavric Parks turned aside 42 of 47 shots, while starting Knights goaltender Igor Bobkov posted 14 saves on 18 shots. Michael Houser tallied 17 saves on 18 shots in relief of Bobkov.

For an official game sheet, please visit www.ontariohockeyleague.com

Get your tickets! The Spirit return home November 6 at 7:11 PM for a contest against the Windsor Spitfires. 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. Tickets can also be purchased at SaginawSpirit.com or any TicketMaster Outlet.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 30, 2010


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