Spirit Challenge Storm, Fall 4-3
Published on February 4, 2006 under Independent Women's Football League (IWFL)
Sacramento Sirens News Release
(Saginaw, MI) -- The Saginaw Spirit challenged West Conference rival Guelph Saturday night, but fell 4-3 in regulation. The Spirit played part of the final minute and a half of the game with two extra attackers, after pulling goalie Francois Thuot, and scored on the powerplay to make it a 4-3 game, but could not force overtime. The Spirit loss, coupled with Plymouth Whalers loss in Belleville, keeps the Spirit in the West Division lead by three points.
Guelph opened scoring at 15:45 of the first period, on the powerplay, when winger Mike McLean buried a rebound. Guelph took the 1-0 lead into the second period.
Saginaw tied the game 1-1 at 6:17, when forward Ryan McDonough scored on a 2-on-1 break. Michal Birner (STL '04) and Ryan Berard assisted. The Storm re-took the lead four minutes later, when forwared Ryan Callahan (NYR '04) scored. The Storm jumped up 3-1 just :34 seconds later, when Ryan Parent (NAS '05) scored. But the Spirit charged back, scoring :29 seconds after the Parent goal. Spirit defenseman Patrick McNeill (WAS '05) scored from the high slot, from McDonough and Birner.
Guelph re-opened a two goal lead early in the third period, when Callahand scored his second goal of the game on the powerplay. But the Spirit weren't done yet. The Spirit took advantage of a late Storm penalty, then pulled goalie Thuot to score on a 6-4 advantage. The shot came from Birner from the high slot, assisted by Berard and McNeill on the powerplay at 19:34. Saginaw had two more scoring opportunities, but could not convert to force overtime.
The loss takes Saginaw's record to 27-22-1-0 on the season, with 55 points. The Spirit resume action Thursday at 7:05 pm at Peterborough to face the Petes, the first game of a three game, Eastern Conference road swing. The Spirit return home Saturday, February 18th at 7:11 PM to face the Windsor Spitfires. The Spirit welcome the Hanson Brothers of Slapshot fame to the Spirit game February 18th.
A complete gamesheet is available at www.ontariohockeyleague.com.
Spirit Fans Meet Hockey Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay
Spirit fans enjoyed a visit, puck drop ceremony and autograph signing from Hockey Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay at Saturday night's game. The former Red WIng is also a graduate of the Major Junior system, and was a part of the 1944 Memorial Cup Champion Oshawa Generals.
Lindsay met fans in the Bud Light Blue Line Club and autographed merchandise for fans during the Spirit-Guelph game. His appearance was courtesy Merrill Tool and Machine and Labadie of Bay City.
Independent Women's Football League Stories from February 4, 2006
- Spirit Challenge Storm, Fall 4-3 - Sacramento Sirens
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
