OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Down Hounds 6-2

Published on December 8, 2006 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


(Saginaw, MI) The Saginaw Spirit beat the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 6-2 Friday night. The win moves the Spirit's record to 20-9-0-2, good for 42 points and first place in the OHL West Division. Stated Spirit General Manager and Head Coach Bob Mancini, "Our players competed hard and at a high tempo".

The Spirit soared through the first period with three unanswered goals. Forward Ryan McDonough gave the Spirit an early 1-0 lead following a power play goal at the 6:03 mark in the first that was assisted by Tyler Haskins and Patrick McNeill (WSH 05). The Soo had their first power play opportunity stripped away by Tom Pyatt (NYR 05) when he scored short handed at 10:35 in the first period, assisted by Chris Chappell. Forward Ryan O'Marra (NYI 05) scored on the power play at the 16:30 mark to finish out the first period with a 3-0 Spirit lead. Patrick Asselin and Pyatt assisted on the goal.

The Spirit jumped to a 4-0 lead when Asselin shot the puck past Soo netminder Kyle Gajewski :27 seconds into the second period, assisted by Tomas Zaborsky (NYR 06) and Pyatt. The goal chased Gajewski from net to be replaced by goalie Matt Hache, who managed to hold off the Spirit attack long enough for the Greyhounds to notch their first goal of the evening from Dustin Jeffrey at 8:43 in the second. Haskins answered near the end of the second and took the Spirit lead to 5-1, scoring at the 19:42 mark, set up by from defenseman Nick Crawford.

Soo opened the third period with a goal from at 1:22 with Josh Godfrey closing the scoring gap slightly. McDonough followed up with a goal :38 seconds later off of assists from Ryan Berard and McNeill, ending the game 6-2.

Spirit goalie Ryan Daniels (OTT 06) had 33 saves in the effort.

Delta College Three Stars of the Game:

1. Tom Pyatt, SAG, 1 goal and 2 assists

2. Ryan McDonough, SAG, 2 goals

3. Tyler Haskins, SAG, 1 goal and 1 assist

The night also saw the Fifth Annual Teddy Bear Toss, presented by Meijer with support from the Citadel Broadcasting Corporation. Ryan McDonough's first goal of the evening started off the event, with fans throwing hundreds of teddy bears onto the ice. The bears were collected and will be donated to the Saginaw County First Responders. Proceeds from the sale of teddy bears is going to the Toys for Tots organization. McDonough also scored last years Teddy Bear Toss goal.

The Spirit resume action against the Hounds Sunday night at 7:00 PM in Sault Ste. Marie. The Spirit will play several more away games before returning home on December 28 to play the Soo once again.

Cooper Notched 300th CHL Game

Spirit defenseman Curtis Cooper played his 300th CHL game Friday night, December 8, against the Soo Greyhounds. The Kamloops, BC native was acquired by the Spirit from the Western Hockey League's (WHL) Prince George Cougars.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2006


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