OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Start off New Year with a Win – Drop Rangers 5-3

January 2, 2010 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


(Saginaw, MI) The Saginaw Spirit defeated the Kitchener Rangers 5-3 Saturday night at the Dow Event Center, starting off the month of January by adding a notch in the win column. Spirit forward Josh Shalla earned the games first start with a two goal effort while defenseman Ryan O'Connor turned in a goal and an assist for second star honors. Forward Jordan Skellett also posted some numbers in the win with three assists. Saginaw's record stands at 18-15-3-0 and 40 points on the season.

The Spirit were on the board early in the first period firing off two consecutive goals. Center Michael Sgarbossa scored Saginaw's first goal on the power play with assists from defenseman Ryan O'Connor and winger Jordan Skellett at 8:31 into the period. The second goal came from winger Garrett Ross at 9:25, assisted by centers Tyler Murovich and Jordan Szwarz (NHL PHOENIX COYOTES). The Rangers returned with two goals of their own to even the contest 2-2. The first Kitchener goal was a power play goal tallied by winger Gabriel Landeskog at 14:08; assists were credited to winger Chris MacKinnon and defenseman Dan Kelly. Center Michael Catenacci scored the second goal with an assist from Kelly at 14:44 into the first period. The period ended in a 2-2 tie.

Saginaw's O'Connor notched a power play goal for the Spirit 18 seconds into the second period; assists were credited to Skellett and Murovich. The second goal of the period was scored at the 15:31 mark by Spirit winger Josh Shalla, assisted by Skellett and winger Joe Pleckaitis. Saginaw closed the period ahead 4-2.

The Rangers reduced the deficit in the third period with a goal scored by center Jeff Skinner at 3:29, assists on the play came from defenseman Chad Lowry and Mackinnon. Shalla found the net again for the Spirit at 9:09 into the third with assists from defensemen Joe Underwood and Brad Walch. The game finished in 5-3 Spirit win.

Spirit netminder Edward Pasquale posted 43 saves on 46 shots, while Rangers goalie Mavric Parks ended the game with 31 saves on 36 attempts.

For the official OHL game sheet, please visit www.ontariohockeyleague.com.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 2, 2010


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