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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Earn Point in First Half Finale in Windsor

December 16, 2018 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit LW Nicholas Porco (right)
Saginaw Spirit LW Nicholas Porco (right)
(Saginaw Spirit, Credit: Keith Dotson)

Windsor, Ontario - The Saginaw Spirit's four game winning streak came to an end with a 4-3 loss in an overtime thriller on the road against the Windsor Spitfires. The Spirit earned five out of a possible six points over the three-game weekend to bring them within seven points of the West Division's first-placed, Soo Greyhounds.

Saginaw's rookie goaltender Tristan Lennox made his third career start in the game and was tested early. The Spitfires controlled the first five minutes of play and took the first six shots of the game for either team. Saginaw's third round pick's quickness was challenged with Windsor's Tyler Angle taking a quick turn around shot from the right half-wall that Lennox turned aside with his glove. Lennox came into the game with a 1-1-0-1 record with a goals against average of 2.68.

Saginaw began to turn around play midway through the first period and was able to find the back of the net 9:39 into the period. Overager Albert Michnac won a face-off deep in the Windsor end back to New York Islander's prospect Bode Wilde. Wilde, a former University of Michigan commit, took a wrist shot from the right point through a screen. Windsor goaltender Kari Piiroinen never saw the puck coming through several bodies in front of the net.

The Spirit nearly took a two-goal lead with just over five minutes remaining in the first period. After Saginaw's 2017 first round pick Nicholas Porco sent a rink wide pass for Aidan Prueter to one-time near the bottom of the left face-off circle. Windsor's first round Import Draft pick Piiroinen denied the Prueter one-timer with a sliding pad save to keep the Spitfires within one goal.

In the waning minutes of the first period, Lennox continued his strong play after Cody Morgan received a pass from Windsor leading scorer Cole Purboo from behind the net. Morgan took a wrist shot point blank that the Cambridge, Ontario native deflected with his blocker. Saginaw took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission and out shot Windsor 15-10 despite the slow start of the first period.

Saginaw took a 2-0 lead with an early power play goal in the second period with some great passing. Dexter, Michigan native D.J. Busdeker sent a pass to Michnac at the left half wall, who sent a quick pass to the front of the net. Thornhurst, Pennsylvania native Jake Goldowski was able to tip the pass into the open net for his sixth goal of the season.

Windsor got onto the scoreboard just under eight minutes into the second period. Windsor first round pick Jean-Luc Foudy sent a pass to rookie Will Cuylle at the left face-off dot. Cuylle sent a quick snap shot that beat Lennox to bring the Spitfires to within one goal.

The Spitfires tied the game a little over four minutes later with Connor Corcoran's sixth goal of the season. Corcoran, a Las Vegas Golden Knights prospect, took a pass from Jordan Frasca at the point. The Windsor defenseman patiently waited for a screen in front before he took a slap shot into the Saginaw net for a 2-2 tie heading into the third period.

Saginaw controlled most of the play throughout the third period. Windsor's Piiroinen kept the game tied until at 12:24 into the third period when Saginaw's Danny Katic gave the Spirit a one-goal lead. Aidan Prueter sent a nice cross ice pass over to rookie defenseman Mason Millman at the left half boards. Millman dropped a pass to a streaking Katic in the Windsor zone. Katic took a wrist shot from the left face-off circle that beat Piiroinen top-shelf over the glove.

With the Windsor net empty, Tyler Angle brought the Spitfires back even with just 90 seconds remaining in regulation. Angle received a pass to the right of the Spirit net and deposited the puck past a sliding Lennox.

The Spitfires broke the tie with 1:31 remaining in the overtime. The tying goal scorer Angle skated down the left side of the ice on a two-on-one rush and sent a pass for Daniel D'Amico to one-time over the pad of the goaltender's pad. Saginaw outshot Windsor, 36-29 in the loss.

Applebee's Three Stars of the Game:

1. Connor Corcoran (WSR) G, A

2. Daniel D'Amico (WSR) GWG, A

3. Albert Michnac (SAG) 2A

The Saginaw Spirit head to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario after holiday break to take on the West Division leading Soo Greyhounds on Friday, December 28. The two teams split the four games played this season. Puck drop is set for 7:07 p.m. with pregame coverage beginning 15 minutes before puck drop. Fans can catch all the action between the West Division rivals on FM Talk and Sports 100.5 and fmtalk1005.com with Joey Battaino and Dennis Desrosiers on the call.

The Spirit return home Saturday, December 29 to host the Erie Otters for the third of four meetings this season. Saginaw was victorious in the first two games against Erie, winning both games on the road. Former Detroit Red Wings Chris Osgood and Mickey Redmond will be joining us to sign autographs pregame. The Hockey Hall of Fame Trophy Presentation will also be on hand for fans to take photos.

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

For tickets and more information:

Reserve your seat at The Dow Event Center by calling (989) 497-7747 or visit www.saginawspirit.com for more information. YOUR Region. YOUR team. YOU'RE invited.

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Images from this story

Saginaw Spirit LW Nicholas Porco (right)
Saginaw Spirit LW Nicholas Porco (right)
(Keith Dotson)		   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2018


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