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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit, Firebirds Renew Rivalry in Saginaw for the First Time this Season

October 20, 2018 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit vs. the Flint Firebirds
Saginaw Spirit vs. the Flint Firebirds
(Saginaw Spirit)

Saginaw, Michigan - For the Saginaw Spirit (6-4-1-0; 13 pts.), the timing couldn't be more perfect to renew an in-state rivalry.

Putting aside the frustration that materializes when coming out on the wrong end in back-to-back games will come effortlessly when the Spirit host the Flint Firebirds (0-9-0-0; 0 pts.) tonight at the Dow Event Center. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m.

Hands down one of the eight dates that both organizations have circled leading up to the bitter meeting, Saturday marks game two of the Coors Light I-75 Divide Cup.

It's a rematch from two weeks ago when the Spirit went into the Dort Federal Event Center on Oct. 3 and scored six goals en route to a five-game winning streak. Saginaw leads, 14-11-0-0, all-time since the Firebirds' inception in 2015, winning seven times of eight meetings last year.

The Spirit are coming off Friday's 7-3 loss to the Barrie Colts, giving up five unanswered goals in the third period for their third loss at home. Saginaw led, 3-2, entering the final 20 minutes of play.

Overage left-winger Albert Michnac recorded two assists to extend his point streak to an OHL season-high 11 games and currently leads all Spirit players in scoring with 17 points.

Alternate captains Brady Gilmour and D.J. Busdeker each registered a goal while former Miami (OH) commit Cole Coskey picked up his 15th point of the year after getting Saginaw on the board first against the Colts 11:20 into the opening period.

Arizona Coyotes prospect Ivan Prosvetov stopped 20 shots in his first regulation loss in seven appearances with the Spirit. Garnering four wins and just one overtime loss, the Russian-born goaltender has a goals against average of 3.43 and 0.866 save percentage.

On the heels of receiving both CHL Player of the Week and OHL 'On the Run' Player of the Week honors this week, captain and Minnesota Wild prospect Damien Giroux's plus-minus of +8 leads the team after scoring four goals and three assists for seven points in wins over the North Bay Battalion and Kitchener Rangers.

Giroux is two goals away from tying second-year forward Nicholas Porco with eight while New York Islanders prospect Bode Wilde is one-of-three players to have over double-digit assists this season.

Assimilating themselves to the fullest extent the importance behind this historic rivalry, with the lineage dating back to 1972 when the Gears and Generals squared off in the International Hockey League, the Spirit is well prepared for the best out of their neighboring club down the road.

That's despite the Firebirds undergoing a coaching coach on Thursday, hiring Eric Wellwood, a former associate coach with Flint two seasons ago, after Ryan Oulahen announced his resignation.

Oulahen stepped down from his position following an 0-7 start to the year. Last weekend, goalie coach Greg Stefan assumed the role behind the bench on an interim basis in losses to the Battalion and Rangers.

The Firebirds are expecting a change in system to be the catalyst in ending their nine-game losing streak. Sitting 10th in the OHL Western Conference Standings as the only team in the league without a win, Flint has allowed 53 goals during the setback.

At 28 years old, Wellwood comes to the team with a resume that includes playing four seasons in the OHL and three seasons in the NHL. After retiring in 2014, Wellwood began his coaching career as an assistant with the Oshawa Generals.

It was there he won the CHL Memorial Cup in 2015 before accepting the same position in Flint. Wellwood also won the tournament twice as a player for the Windsor Spitfires.

Wellwood inherits a team led by captain Ty Dellandrea, whose five points on the season is good for a three-way tie alongside 17-year-old forwards Ethan Keppen and Jacob Winterton.

Goaltenders Emanuel Vella and Luke Cavallin have combined for a goals-against average of 5.89 and .840 save percentage this season. Vella got the start against the Spirit in which he stopped 29 shots.

In addition to Dellandrea, two other Firebirds players have their rights owned by an NHL franchise in Dennis Busby (Arizona) and Fedor Gordeev (Toronto).

The Spirit have six players with NHL ties in Brady Gilmour (Detroit), Reilly Webb (Detroit), Blade Jenkins (New York Islanders), Bode Wilde (New York Islanders), Ivan Prosvetov (Arizona), and Damien Giroux (Minnesota).

To purchase your tickets for all Saginaw home games, 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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Saginaw Spirit vs. the Flint Firebirds
Saginaw Spirit vs. the Flint Firebirds
   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2018


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