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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Secure Three Game Lead Following 7-6 Double Overtime Win against Guelph

March 24, 2009 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


(Saginaw, MI) The Saginaw Spirit secured a three game lead after beating the Guelph Storm 7-6 in double overtime during their third game of the best-of-seven game playoff series Tuesday night at The Dow Event Center. Center Jack Combs contributed two goals and two assists in the effort, with defenseman T.J. Brodie (NHL CALGARY FLAMES) scoring the game-winning goal. The Spirit will visit the Storm in Guelph on Thursday, March 26th for game four and, if necessary, will return to home ice on Saturday, March 28th for a match-up at 7:11 PM.

The Spirit began scoring early into the first, as center Kyle Bochek knocked in a goal at 5:32 with assists coming from center Jack Combs and winger Chris Chappell. Spirit winger Joe Pleckaitis followed suit, scoring his first goal of the playoff series for the Spirit at 5:43, with assists coming from center Tyler Murovich and winger Jordan Szwarz. Guelph winger Brandon Buck added a shorthanded goal for the Storm at 9:29 in the first period. The goal was assisted by defenseman Ben Chiarot and moved the score to 2-1. Guelph tied things up with a goal scored by center Peter Holland at 13:39. Winger Denis Hollenstein and center Michael Latta were credited with the assists, ending the first period in a 2-2 tie.

Bochek was at it again during the second, passing the puck to Combs who then went on to tally a goal for Saginaw at the 1:48 mark, giving the Spirit the lead. It wasn't long after that Combs notched another goal for the Spirit, finding the net four minutes into the second period. Winger Chris Chappell and defenseman Adam Comrie (NHL FLORIDA PANTHERS) assisted on the play, advancing 4-2 over Guelph. Storm winger Tyler Carroll finished the period with a powerplay goal at 14:55, with assists credited to winger Brandon Buck and defenseman Corey Syvret. The period ended with the Spirit ahead, 4-3.

Murovich helped secure the lead for the Spirit, scoring a powerplay goal at 4:24 in the third period, assisted by Combs and Szwarz. Holland tightened the scoring gap, notching an unassisted goal for the Storm at 8:25. Guelph winger Matt Kennedy then followed suit, receiving a pass from defenseman Tim Campbell to tally a goal at 9:53 and move the score to 5-5 tie. The Spirit answered back, taking the lead after Chappell scored his first goal of the playoff series at the 11:16 mark. Holland found the net again for the Storm at 15:26 in the period and was assisted by Latta and Kennedy. The period ended in a 6-6 tie, leaving the rest of the third period scoreless, along with the first round of overtime.

The battle continued into the second round of overtime until defenseman T.J. Brodie (NHL CALGARY FLAMES) knocked in the game winning goal at 5:40. The powerplay goal was assisted by Szwarz and Murovich and secured the 7-6 win for the Spirit.

Spirit goalie Edward Pasquale posted 48 saves on 54 shots for the game and Storm net minder Brandon Foote finished with 46 saves on 53 shots.

Applebee's Neighborhood Bar and Grill Three Stars of the Game:

1- T.J. Brodie (SAG) 2- Jack Combs (SAG) 3- Peter Holland (GUE)

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2009


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