OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Cage Wolves 3-2 in Shootout

Published on December 30, 2005 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


(Sudbury, ON) - The Saginaw Spirit battled back to take a road win in a shootout in Sudbury Friday night. Patrick McNeill had the game-winner as he scored the only goal in the shootout. Spirit goaltender Francois Thuot knocked away the final Sudbury attacker's puck before he had a chance to shoot. The win was the Spirit's first trip to OT and shootout this season.

Saginaw opened scoring in the first period, on the powerplay, when Jesse Gimblett knocked in a bouncing puck. Forwards Ryan McDonough and Jack Combs assisted.

Sudbury equalized in the second period on the powerplay, when forward Kevin Baker scored on the powerplay.

The Wolves jumped up 2-1 early in the third period, again on the powerplay, when defenseman Ryan Hastings scored in close. The Wolves held the lead until 18:21 of the period.

Spirit goaltender Thuot was pulled to give Saginaw an extra attacker, and the Spirit quickly converted. Patrick McNeill fired a shot in on net, where former Wolf McDonough got a rebound chance. Forward Patrick Asselin picked up McDonough's rebound and put the game-tying goal away. McDonough's second assist of the night gives him 50 points on the OHL season. Thuot returned to net for the remainder of the third period and the scoreless overtime period. He stopped 37 Sudbury shots.

The Spirit sent three shooters into the first round of the shootout. Associate captain Gimblett was stopped before captain McNeill beat Wolves goalie Kevin Beech low. Patrick Asselin also failed to convert.

The win takes Saginaw's record to 20-14-0-0 on the season, good for 40 points. The Spirit win coupled with Plymouth's loss to Erie means the Spirit are two points out of first place in the West Division.

Saginaw resumes action Saturday night in Barrie against the Colts. The Spirit return home Friday, January 6th to face the Sarnia Sting at 7:11pm at the Dow Event Center. It's AAA Night with ticket specials for the upper level at the Dow. Check the Spirit website for details.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2005


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