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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Start Season with 4-3 Shootout Victory over Storm

September 18, 2009 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


(Guelph, Ontario) The Saginaw Spirit started the new season with a 4-3 shootout victory against the Guelph Storm Friday night. Barry Sanderson tallied two goals in regulation, while Josh Shalla scored a goal in regulation and in the shootout. Goalie Anthony Peters posted 40 saves and stopped all three Guelph skaters in the shootout to backstop the Spirit to two points and a notch in the win column.

The game marked a lot of firsts, with the Spirit earning their first victory, and their first road win, of the 2008-2009 regular season. Josh Shalla tallied his first goal in Spirit uniform, while Stephen Francella posted his first Spirit point with an assist . Rookie Matt Braun earned his first career OHL point with an assist early in the second period.

The first period saw scoring from both squads. Winger Josh Shalla tallied a power play marker against his former teammates at the 13:18 mark, courtesy an assist from winger Jordan Skellett. Shalla came to Saginaw from Guelph in a June 2009 trade. The Storm were quick to respond however, with center Mathew Sisca evening the score 1-1 with a power play goal at 19:35 in the first. Wingers Taylor Beck (NHL Nashville Predators) and Matt Kennedy (NHL Carolina Hurricanes) assisted on the goal.

Spirit center Barry Sanderson gave the Spirit the lead in the second period with two goals. The first came at 6:30 in the second from defenseman Matt Braun and winger Stephen Francella, and the second came on the power play at the 18:25 mark courtesy assists from defenseman Nick Crawford (NHL Buffalo Sabres) and Brad Walch. Sanderson's two goals were separated by a Guelph power play goal however - Kennedy notched a power play goal at the 14:49 mark, with Beck and former Spirit blueliner Adam Comrie (NHL Florida Panthers) assisting.

The Storm battled back to tie the game 3-3 late in the third period. Beck earned his third point of the night with a power play goal, from Sisca and Kennedy, at the 12:26 mark. The game would enter a shootout following a scoreless 4-on-4 five minute overtime. The Spirit fielded three shooters and the Storm four, but Shalla scored the lone extra frame goal to give the Spirit the 4-3 victory.

Goalie Anthony Peters anchored the net for Saginaw, posting 40 saves on 43 shots. Netminder Matt Hoyle earned 28 saves on 31 shots for the Storm.

The Spirit return to action Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 PM with a road match-up against the Owen Sound Attack. Fans can listen live on FM Talk and Sports 100.5!

Spirit hockey officially returns to the Great Lakes Bay Region next week for the Meijer Home Opening Celebration. The Saginaw Spirit Monday Night Hockey Show will kick things off at Hooters Monday, September 21, from 6:05 PM to 7:00 PM.

The Spirit take on their division rivals, the Plymouth Whalers, on Thursday September 24 at 7:11 PM for the first home game of the season! The Baytones will be performing in the Bud Light Blue Line Club!

The Spirit Run/Walk event, featuring appearances from the entire Spirit team, will take place the morning of Saturday, September 26. The charity event, which will raise funds for the Saginaw Spirit Charitable Foundation and the United Way of Saginaw, takes place at the Garber Automotive Group Offices, 999 South Washington in Saginaw, starting at 8:00 AM. For more information, please visit www.SaginawSpirit.com/run.

The Spirit round out the Meijer Home Opening Celebration when they host a home opening encore against the Erie Otters! The game takes place on Saturday, September 26 at 7:11 PM. The Sinclairs will be performing in the Bud Light Blue Line Club!

Fans can purchase tickets for Spirit hockey games and sign up for the Run/Walk event by calling the Spirit at 989-497-7747 or by visiting the Official Saginaw Spirit Ticket and Merchandise Store at 5789 State Street in Saginaw. Tickets can also be purchased online at SaginawSpirit.com or TicketMaster.com.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 18, 2009


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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