Sports stats

OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Drop Game One to Otters, 5-1

March 25, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


ERIE, PA - On Friday night, the Saginaw Spirit opened their first round playoff series with the top team in the entire OHL, the Erie Otters. The two teams had split four games in the regular season, but on this night the Otters would not be denied. Three first period goals led to a 5-1 decision in favor of the Otters at Erie Insurance Arena in Erie, PA.

The Otters drew first blood in the series when Kyle Maksimovich cashed in on a Spirit turnover at 6:47 to give the Otters a 1-0 lead. Jake Marchment (LA) and Vanya Lodnia drew the assists on the play. The second Otters goal came by way of a defelction by Mount Clemens native Nick Betz at 12:12. Erik Cernak (LA) and Travis Dermott (TOR) had the helpers on the play. It didn't take long for the Otters to stretch their lead at 15:48, when Kyle Pettit broke in behind the Spirit defense and used a deke to the backhand to beat Cormier to make it 3-0 Otters. Erie outshot the Spirit 19-3 in the first period.

In the second period, the Otters were handed a 5-on-3 power play opportunity and Toronto Maple Leafs pick Travis Dermott scored on a one-timer set up by Farmington Hills native Alex DeBrincat and Jake Marchment. Soon after the Spirit killed off the other penalty, Kyle Pettit broke in on a two-on-one and beat Evan Cormier over the shoulder. Cormier was replaced by Cameron Zanussi at 9:19 of the second period, yielding five goals on 26 shots. It was 5-0 Otters after 40 minutes.

It took over 54 minutes of hockey, but the Spirit finally broke through late in the third on a shorthanded goal by Jesse Barwell. His first career playoff goal came unassisted as his pass to a breaking Matthew Kreis came back on to his stick and Barwell made no mistake, lifting the puck into the back of the cage. The Spirit continued to pressure late, outshooting the Otters in the third, 6-3 but it was too late. The Spirit ran out of time and dropped Game One of the Best-Of-Seven series to the Otters, 5-1 Final shots on goal favored Erie, 36-17.

Applebee's Three Stars of the Game:

Kyle Pettit - ER (2G, +3)

Travis Dermott - ER (G, 2A, +1)

Nick Betz - ER (GWG, 2A, +3)

The Spirit take on the Otters in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals on Sunday, March 27th from Erie Insurance Arena. The Voices of the Spirit, Joey Battaino and Dennis Desrosiers have the call at 6:45 p.m. on 100.5 FM WSGW. The Spirit return home for Game's three and four on Tuesday, March 29th and Thursday, March 31st. For tickets, call (989) 497-7747 or visit saginawspirit.com.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 25, 2016


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.

Other Recent Saginaw Spirit Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central