OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Keep Hounds on Short Leash with 5-4 Win

Published on November 1, 2006 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


(Sault Ste. Marie, ON) The Saginaw Spirit added to the win column with their 5-4 victory over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. According to Spirit General Manager and Head Coach Bob Mancini, it was a "real good, gritty, gutsy effort to win on the road". Spirit forward Jan Mursak continued his consecutive point streak, with an assist in the third period taking the streak to 16 games.

The Greyhounds jumped to an early lead at 1:44 in the first period with a goal from David Kuchejda. Despite the early attack, the Spirit were able to take the lead following two consecutive power play goals from Spirit forward Zack Torquato. The first came at 17:20 and was assisted by Patrick McNeill and Jack Combs, while Torquato's second goal was shot in at the 19:47 mark following assists from Combs and Ryan McDonough.

The Spirit extended their lead to 3-1 at the start of the second period (1:28) with a goal from Patrick Asselin off of an assist from Matt Corrente (NJ 06). However the lead was reduced minutes later when the Greyhounds scored two consecutive goals of their own at 13:41 and 19:11. Matthew Lyall and Cody Thornton scored for Sault Ste. Marie.

The third period saw the Spirit take another two goal lead. Tom Pyatt (NYR 05) scored at 4:48 off of an assist from Jan Mursak and Tomas Zaborsky. Defenseman Garrett Sinfield scored his first goal of the season assisted by Mursak and Pyatt at the 6:39 mark, taking the game to 5-3. Despite a goal from Greyhound Jiri Tlusty at the 16:33 the mark the Spirit came away with the win.

Spirit netminder Ryan Daniels (OTT 06) had 23 saves in the effort. The win takes the Spirit record to 11-4-0-1 with 23 points, giving the Spirit a two point lead for first place in the OHL Western Conference. The Barrie Colts are in first place in the Eastern Conference with 23 points, making Friday night's game in Saginaw a match-up for first place in the Ontario Hockey League.

Three Stars of the Game:

1. Zack Torquato, Saginaw, 2 goals

2. Jan Mursak, Saginaw, 2 assists

3. David Kuchejda, Sault Ste. Marie, 1 goal and 1 assist

A complete game sheet is available at www.ontariohockeyleague.com

Friday night will see the Spirit take on the Colts, as well as a ceremonial puck drop from gubernatorial candidate Dick Devos, the Galen Wilson blimp race and the start of the 97.3 JOE FM Food Drive. Saturday night the Spirit face off against the Peterborough Petes at a game that features a Z-93 night and performances from the Saginaw Spirit Dance Team.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 1, 2006


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