OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Earn First Win in Convincing Fashion

September 27, 2019 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Sarnia, ON - The Saginaw Spirit came out on top, 9-3 for their first win of the season against the Sarnia Sting Friday night at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena.

With a penalty against DJ King, the Spirit took on the penalty kill. DJ Busdeker with a short-handed goal shot off the left side put the Spirit on the board. This was his second short-handed goal of the season. Goalie Tristian Lennox picked up his first OHL point with the assist.

The Spirit added another point to the board in the first. New York Islanders draft pick Blade Jenkins scored with the assist by fellow New York Islanders draft pick Cole Coskey.

The Sting's Calvin Martin got the puck past goaltender Tristian Lennox to shorten the gap to 2-1 with only a few seconds remaining in the first period of play. The period ended with the Spirit ahead by one.

The second period began with penalties being called against both teams. 4:38 into the second, captain Damien Giroux scored a powerplay goal and his first goal of the season assisted by Ilya Solovyov and Cole Perfetti.

Continuing on with the powerplay, the Spirit struck again. Cole Coskey with a one-timer widened the gap to 4-1. Ilya Solovyov and Cole Perfetti assisted on Coskey's second goal of the season.

The Spirit continued to pull ahead with yet another goal late in the second period.  Ilya Solovyov passed the puck to Damien Giroux, the puck hit his skate and found its way past Sting's goaltender Ethan Langevin making it the third powerplay goal of the game.

With three assists already this game, Spirit first-round import draft pick Ilya Solovyov decided he wanted more. Nicholas Porco got the puck to the point and passed it to Solovyov for his first OHL goal. The second period concluded with the Spirit leading 6-1.

Two quick third period goals from Colton Kammerer and Anthony Tabak brought the Sting back within three goals.

Dallas Stars prospect Nicholas Porco scored his first goal of the season, taking advantage of a Sting turnover at their blueline. Porco was able to deke Langevin by keep one hand on his stick and dragging the puck past his left pad.

Saginaw native Mitchell Smith notched his first OHL goal just 15 seconds later on a wrist shot from the slot area. Ilya Solovyov picked up his fourth assist of the night and fifth point, to tie a team record for most points in a single-game by a Spirit defenseman.

With only ten seconds remaining in regulation, Philadelphia Flyers draft pick Mason Millman got his first goal of the season. Camaryn Baber and Jake Goldowski each earned assists on Millman's first goal of the season. The Spirit scored nine goals in a hockey game for the first time since February 13, 2018 in a 9-2 victory of Flint.

Applebee's Three Stars of the Game:

Ilya Solovyov (SAG) 1G, 4A

Damien Giroux (SAG) 2G

Nick Porco (SAG) 1G, 1A

Saturday evening, the Spirit host the Soo Greyhounds for the first time this season on Opioid Awareness Night. The Spirit have partnered with Holy Cross Services, McLaren Bay Region, Covenant HealthCare, MidMichigan Health, and Ascension St. Mary's Hospital to provide 22 resource tables in the Red Room opening at 5:30 p.m. Any fan who returns unused or expired medication will be given a free ticket voucher to the game that evening. The first 2,000 fans in attendance Saturday receive a 2019-20 regular season magnet schedule courtesy of Coors Light and Go Great Lakes Bay.

Sunday, the Spirit host the Niagara IceDogs for the first Covenant Kids Sunday of the season. Puck drop is a 5:30 p.m. Tickets for kids 12 and under are only $6. Major Chords for Minors will be performing in the Red Room prior to the game.

Fans can follow all the action on the flagship WSGW Newsradio 100.5 FM and www.wsgw.com with the voice of Saginaw Spirit hockey Joey Battaino on the call.  "Countdown to Face-off" begins 15 minutes prior to puck drop for all your pregame coverage.

To purchase tickets to any Spirit home game call (989) 497-7747, visit www.saginawspirit.com, or visit the Saginaw Spirit Store at 5789 State Street, Saginaw, MI.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 27, 2019


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