Spirit Eagles Nest Notes
December 14, 2010 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release
The Saginaw Spirit will close out the pre-Christmas portion of the OHL's schedule with three Western Conference game
s. Saginaw will take the ice in a home-and-home series against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, in Sault Ste. Marie on Wednesday, December 15 and at The Dow Event Center of Saginaw on Friday, December 17. The Spirit will close out the weekend on Saturday, December 18 in Windsor for a match-up against the two time Memorial Cup Champion Spitfires.
On the ice, Spirit forward Brandon Saad is in line to represent his home country as he will attend Team USA's final selection camp in preparation for the upcoming World Jr. Hockey Championship in Buffalo over the Holiday season. Saad and Windsor goaltender Jack Campbell are the only two OHL players still in contention to suit up for the defending Gold Medalists.
Saginaw's Josh Shalla enters the week riding a five game goal scoring run that has pushed him into a tie for top spot in league goals with Ottawa's Tyler Toffoli, both players with 27 markers on the season. The Spirit potentially will be a little short staffed entering the week as Michael Kantor has been suspended for two games following an incident in Sunday's game against the Plymouth Whalers, while Alex Lepkowski, Ivan Telegin, and Garret Ross are nursing injuries, although Lepkowski could be cleared to play on Wednesday. As a result the Spirit have called up center Ray Hueter for the three game stint. Hueter was the team's 84th overall pick in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection, and will wear number 41 this weekend.
Saginaw at Sault Ste. Marie, Sault Ste. Marie at Saginaw:
This home and home set will represent games four and five between the division rivals, with the Spirit having won the previous three meetings. The Greyhounds remain in last place in the Western Conference, four points behind Sarnia but just five behind both Guelph and London. The Greyhounds are on a four game losing streak and are a game under .500 in their last ten.
A bright light for the Hounds has certainly been the play of second year forward Daniel Catenacci, who shows up as the league's 15th leading scorer and the owner of the OHL's longest goal scoring run of the season, a nine consecutive game streak that was ended recently. Catenacci along with Nick Cousins are listed in the top 25 by NHL's Central Scouting in their most recent ranking. Also up front, Sault Ste. Marie is getting another strong season out of veteran Brett Thompson, who has hit the 20 goal mark and is second to Catenacci in points. Special teams play, a strong suit for the Greyhounds last year, have been held in check for the most part this season as they rank in the bottom quarter in both the powerplay and penalty killing in the OHL.
Saginaw at Windsor:
A stretch of winning five straight and eight of ten has vaulted the Spitfires to within striking distance of the Spirit for top spot in the West Division. Entering the week Windsor is five points behind Saginaw. The Spitfires will be missing three major pieces come Saturday's encounter with Saginaw with the World Jr. Hockey Championship around the corner. Defenseman Ryan Ellis, the OHL's Defenseman of the Month in November, seems a good bet to make a third appearance for Team Canada, while Zack Kassian, the OHL's fifth leading scorer, is also attending the final selection camp for the Canadians. Meanwhile, Dallas First Round Pick Jack Campbell will be returning to Team USA. NHL Draft Eligible forward Alex Khokhlachev is also a top twenty point producer this season and ranks second in rookie points. The Spitfires are well represented in the rookie points parade as November's top first year player Eric Locke and rearguard Nick Ebert are also enjoying outstanding first years in the OHL.
Get yo
ur tickets! The Spirit return to action at The Dow Event Center Friday, December 17 against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Game time is 7:11 PM for the last Spirit home game before Christmas break. For ticket information, please contact the Saginaw Spirit at 989-497-7747 or visit the Official Saginaw Spirit Ticket and Merchandise Store at 5789 State Street in Saginaw. Tickets can also be purchased at SaginawSpirit.com or any TicketMaster Outlet.
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