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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Put Win Streak on the Line Tonight against Division-Rival Greyhounds

October 17, 2018 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - The Saginaw Spirit (6-2-1-0; 13 pts.) head north on I-75 for an intriguing OHL Western Conference matchup against the Soo Greyhounds (5-3-2; 12 pts. tonight at 7:07 p.m. from the GFL Memorial Gardens.

The second-of-eight season meetings between the two clubs, Saginaw takes its five-game winning streak into Ontario, having also earned at least one point in six consecutive games. The Spirit ended last weekend by jumping to first place in the West after back-to-back victories at home.

First-year team captain Damien Giroux was named both the OHL 'On the Run' Player of the Week and CHL Player of the Week after scoring four goals and three assists for seven points in those two games with a plus-minus rating of plus-7. The 2018 Minnesota Wild draft pick scored the game-winning goal last Sunday's 2-1 win over the Kitchener Rangers.

The 18-year-old veteran earned first star honors the day prior in a 6-2 win at the Dow Event Center over the North Bay Battalion, by scoring three goals in the third period for a career-high five points in a single-game and his first ever hat trick. Giroux also is first in the OHL with three game-winning goals this season.

Giroux has recorded six goals and five assists for 11 points through nine games, tied for third among Spirit players in points with New York Islanders draft prospect Bode Wilde. Left-winger Albert Michnac and right-winger Cole Coskey lead the team with 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Second-year forward Nicholas Porco, recently listed in the NHL Central Scouting 'Players to Watch' list for the 2019 Draft alongside defenseman Caleb Everett, is just four points shy of matching his total from last season. The Sault Ste. Marie native has notched eight goals and two assists in the early going this year.

Spirit goalie Ivan Prosvetov made 24 saves against the Rangers to notch his fourth win of the season. Selected in the fourth round by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2018 draft, the former CHL import draft first rounder has a goals against average of 2.81 and a save percentage of .890 through six games in net.

The Spirit have earned at least one point in every game dating back to Sept. 29 and have not suffered a loss in regulation since Sept. 27. Outside of the Ottawa 67's, who have also five straight, Saginaw has enjoyed the longest points streak of any other OHL club this season.

The Greyhounds are creeping their way back up the standings in the West after picking up five points in the previous three games, including last Sunday's 3-2 home overtime loss to the Battalion.

Forward Morgan Frost, who was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2017 with the 27th overall pick, is the only Soo player above the double-digit mark in points (15) with five goals and 10 assists. Right-winger Cole MacKay is second on the team with eight points.

Goaltender Matthew Villalta is ranked third in the OHL in goals allowed per game (2.41) and fourth in save percentage (.928). His NHL rights belong to Los Angeles after being selected in the third round of 2017.

The Soo have four players on their roster with NHL ties in defenseman Mac Hollowell (Toronto), forward Barrett Haydon (Arizona), Frost (Philadelphia) and Villalta (Los Angeles)

The Spirit have six players with NHL ties in assistant captain Brady Gilmour (Detroit), defenseman Reilly Webb (Detroit), left-winger Blade Jenkins (NY Islanders), Wilde (NY Islanders), Giorux (Minnesota) and Prosvetov (Arizona).

You can catch all the action on the radio with Joey Battaino and Dennis Desrosiers on FM Talk and Sports 100.5 and fmtalk1005.com. 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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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 17, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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