OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Set for Three Game Weekend

Published on November 11, 2010 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


The Spirit will hit the road for three games this week, starting with a game against one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference to open the trip on Thursday November 11 with a stop in Niagara against the IceDogs. A conference match up goes on Friday November 12 as the Spirit will take the ice in Erie against the Otters and on Sunday November 14 the Spirit will make their one and only appearance of the season at the Bunker in Brampton against the Battalion.

On the ice, Michael Kantor made an immediate impact after returning to the lineup last week after an injury as he fired four goals in two games including a hat trick in Sarnia against the Sting. Two members of the Spirit were also recognized individually in recent days as Spirit goaltender Mavric Parks was named the OHL's Goaltender of the Month for October, and forward Ivan Telegin was selected to represent his home country when he suits up for Team Russia against Team OHL later this month.

The Saginaw Spirit start off their three game road stint leading the OHL Western Conference with 28 points and a record of 13-3-1-1. The Owen Sound Attack are in second with 25 points and the Kitchener Rangers are in third with 24 points. In the OHL West Division, the Spirit have a healthy five point lead over the second ranked Windsor Spitfires, who enter the weekend with 23 points.

Saginaw at Niagara: The fifth ranked Spirit will hit the ice against another club that is poised to make a move towards the CHL's Top Ten Ranking in the Niagara IceDogs on Thursday night. The IceDogs, along with Mississauga and Ottawa, are certainly in the mix to take the Eastern Conference crown and are led behind the bench by Marty Williamson. Williamson guided the Barrie Colts to a championship in the Eastern Conference a season ago.

The IceDogs have a nice mix of depth at every position including goaltending, where Mark Visentin, who should get a look from Team Canada for the World Jr. Championships, is among the best at his position in the OHL. Visentin, like Saginaw's Jordan Szwarz, is a prospect for the Phoenix Coyotes, after they selected him in the first round. The IceDogs have two high end prospects for the next NHL draft in forward Ryan Strome, who is among the league leaders in points, and defenseman Dougie Hamilton. The Hamilton's are a brother act in Niagara as Freddie Hamilton, a pick of the San Jose Sharks, is one of the more productive IceDogs offensively as is veteran Andrew Agozzino.

Saginaw at Erie: The Otters are off to a disappointing start this season but are in the middle of a heavy concentration of home games which they hope spearheads a comeback in the standings. The talent is certainly there for the Otters but injuries have been a major issue for the team this season as they have had to absorb a number of significant losses all year.

High scoring forward Andrew Yogan has been out with a bad shoulder, and Anthony Luciani, who led the Otters in goals last year, has been out with a wrist injury by may be back this week. The blueline has also been hit by injuries this year as anchors David Shields and Brett Cook have both missed time this season. One bright spot of late for the Otters has been the play of goaltender Ramis Sadikov, who has been solid in recent games and recorded his first OHL shutout last week against Owen Sound. The Otters also solved their overage situation with the recent acquisition of Phil Varone from the London Knights to help fortify the offense.

Saginaw at Brampton: The weekend for the Spirit wraps up Sunday against the Battalion in what in essence is a home and home set with the two teams back in Saginaw next Thursday. Coach Stan Butler, who has been with the team since its inception, continues to ice a competitive team and this year is no different despite losing a number of key players especially on the defensive side of things.

The biggest hit was the loss of goaltender Patrick Killeen, who had a stellar season a year ago, and really was one of the most valuable players in the league last year. The Battalion can generate offense and the unit up front is led by former Otter Sean Jones, who led the team in points last season, and a couple of recently drafted players into the NHL in Toronto prospect Sam Carrick and Phil Lane, property of the Phoenix Coyotes. Ian Watters is off to a fine start this year and is another Battalion shooter that bears watching, and first year defenseman Spencer Abraham, is among the leaders in rookie points.

Get your tickets! The Spirit host the Brampton Battalion on Thursday, November 18 at 7:11 PM for Thirsty Thursday's dollar beer night. Saginaw also hosts the London Knights on Saturday, November 20 for the annual Girls Rock Ladies Night, with the pre-game activities starting at 5:30 PM and following Spirit game starting at 7:11 PM. For ticket information, please contact the Spirit at 989-497-7747 or visit the Official Saginaw Spirit Ticket and Merchandise Store at 5789 State Street in Saginaw. Tickets can also be purchased at SaginawSpirit.com or any TicketMaster Outlet.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 11, 2010


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