OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Beat Whalers in Valiant 5-4 Win

Published on March 4, 2011 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


The Saginaw Spirit beat the Plymouth Whalers 5-4 in regulation Friday night at the Compuware Arena of Plymouth, in a huge divisional match-up that saw the Spirit increase their lead in the OHL West Division standings to 80 points and a record of 38-20-3-1. Defenseman Ryan O'Connor tallied two goals to buffer the Spirit attack and earn the game's first star honors, and winger Josh Shalla scored the game winner in the final minutes of regulation to secure the win.

The Spirit scored the lone goal of the first period to make it 1-0 early in the contest. Winger Brandon Saad scored his twenty-seventh of the season at the 11:40 mark from centers Vincent Trocheck and Ivan Telegin.

The Spirit would continue to score into the second period, with defenseman Ryan O'Connor scoring at 13:03 from center Mathew Sisca to make it 2-0. Plymouth winger Jamie Devane reduced the deficit to 2-1 with a goal at 13:38 from winger James Livingston and defenseman Austin Levi, but O'Connor stuck back for Saginaw moments later at 18:11 with a goal assisted by Telegin. Spirit defenseman Brad Walch would round out the scoring in the period, making it 4-1 with a goal from Telegin and Saad at the 18:47 mark.

The Whalers would bounce back in the third period, with three consecutive goals early in the frame tying up the game. Livingston scored a power play goal from Devane at 2:37 to make it 4-2, then at 5:18 defenseman Beau Schmitz would score from center Robbie Czarnik to make it 4-3. The Whalers would tie up the game at the 6:31 mark, courtesy a goal from Czarnik that was assisted by defenseman Nick Malysa and Schmitz.

Spirit winger Josh Shalla would prove the hero, scoring the game winning goal in the final minutes of the game to secure the win and the two points. The goal was scored at the 17:48 mark with an assist from winger Anthony Camara.

Spirit goalie Mavric Parks notched 30 saves on 34 shots. Whalers netminder Scott Wedgewood posted 11 saves on 15 shots in 38:47 minutes of play and Matt Mahalak 8 saves on 9 shots in 19:56 minutes of action in relief of Wedgewood.

Visit www.ontariohockeyleague.com for an official game sheet.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 4, 2011


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