OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit beat Bulls 8-3, behind Shalla Hat Trick

October 10, 2009 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


(Saginaw, MI) The Saginaw Spirit beat the Belleville Bulls 8-3 Saturday. Winger Josh Shalla scored three goals, achieving his first career hat trick. Nick Crawford (NHL BUFFALO SABRES) contributed four assists to the effort. The win moves the Spirit record to 6-2-1-0 with 13 points for the season.

The Saginaw Spirit had no problem finding the net in the first period starting with a power play goal at 14:43 by winger Josh Shalla, assisted by center Tyler Murovich and defenseman Nick Crawford (NHL BUFFALO SABRES). Shortly following, winger Jordan Skellet notched a goal at the 16:34 mark, moving the Spirit ahead 2-0. Defenseman Joe Underwood and center Ivon Telegin were credited with the assists. Shalla tallied another power play goal in the first at 18:09 with assists coming from defensemen T.J. Brodie (NHL CALGARY FLAMES) and Nick Crawford. The Belleville Bulls found the net at the end of the first, when winger Tyler Taylor scored a goal assisted by defensemen Bjorn Krupp and Steven Strong at 18:44. The period ended with a score of 3-1.

The Spirit started off the second period with a short-handed goal at the 3:39 mark, scored by winger Jordan Szwarz (NHL PHOENIX COYOTES) and assisted by Murovich. Winger Barry Sanderson notched the next goal, unassisted at 4:59 advancing the Spirit 5-1. Winger Joe Pleckaitis scored his first goal of the game at 6:53 with an assist from Shalla and Crawford. Shalla buried a shot at 9:28 to give him his first career hat trick. He was assisted by Telegin and Crawford. Belleville brought the score to 7-2 on a power play when defenseman Shawn Lalonde (NHL CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS) found the net at 12:22, with assists credited to defensemen Stephen Silas and winger Matthew Tipoff. Center for the Bulls, Adam Payerl, tallied a power play goal at 16:43 in the period, assisted by defensemen Krupp (NHL MINNESOTA WILD) and Strong. The period ended with the Spirit ahead, 7-3.

The Spirit started the third with a goal from winger Garret Ross at 3:44. Assists were attributed to center Vincent Trocheck and winger Barry Sanderson. Saginaw took the win, defeating Belleville 8-3.

Saginaw goalie Edward Pasquale (NHL ATLANTA THRASHERS) posted 12 saves for the game. Belleville net minder Tyson Teichmann had 14 saves while Philipp Grubauer finished with 5 saves.

For more information, please visit www.ontariohockeyleague.com

The Spirit will return to the road to battle the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on Friday, October 16 at 7:30 PM. The team returns home to host the Ottawa 67's on Saturday, October 17; the puck drops at 7:11 PM. Join the Spirit for Pink Out Night to support breast cancer awareness! The game will include a pink pom-pon giveaway and pink jersey auction following the game. Contact the Official Saginaw Spirit Ticket and Merchandise Store at 5789 State Street in Saginaw or call the store at 989-497-7747 to get your tickets!

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 10, 2009


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