OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Stumble in 6-3 Defeat to Spitfires

December 19, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


SAGINAW, MI. - On Saturday night, the Saginaw Spirit welcomed the Windsor Spitfires to The Dow Event Center for Star Wars Night and their fifth meeting of the season. Another third period surge launched the Spitfires ahead of the Spirit, ensuring a 6-3 defeat over Saginaw.

In the first period, the Windsor Spitfires faced an untimely penalty 34 seconds into the game. With an extra man on the ice, the Spirit converted on the power play as Artem Artemov fired home a one-timer to put the Spirit on the board and take a 1-0 lead over the Spitfires. Marcus Crawford and Connor Brown assisted Artemov's 13th goal of the year. The Artemov goal gave the Spirit a goal on four consecutive power play opportunities. Windsor's Cristiano DiGiacinto answered back to tie the score 1-1 at 7:53 of the period. As the period came to a close, Brendan Lemieux slipped the puck past Evan Cormier to push the Spits out front by a score of 2-1. Shots on goal in the first period favored the visiting Windsor Spitfires, 13-7.

Windsor's Aaron Luchuk cushioned his team's lead at 6:07 of the second period, giving the Spitfires a 3-1 advantage. Bradley Latour picked up the lone assist on the play. As things heated up between the West Division rivals, the Spirit offense started to gain momentum. With 1:27 left in the middle frame, Saginaw's Tye Felhaber lit the lamp to put the Spirit within one of the Spitfires. Will Petschenig and Marcus Crawford were credited with the assists. The Spirit carried play throughout the second period, outshooting the Spitfires 16-8.

The third period brought a scoring surge for the Spitfires, with Brendan Lemieux leading the way. At 3:22 Lemieux reinstated Windsor's two-goal lead over the Spirit, with help from Mikhail Sergachev and Logan Brown. San Jose prospect Dylan Sadowy responded at 4:10 of the third period, on his team leading 18th goal of the season. Artem Artemov and Greg DiTomaso assisted in pushing the Spirit score to 4-3. Brendan Lemieux and Aaron Luchuk both found the back of the net one more time before the final buzzer sounded, marking a 6-3 defeat for the Saginaw Spirit. Final shots on goal were tied at 32 apiece.

Applebee's Three Stars

Brendan Lemieux - (3G, A) WSR

Aaron Luchuk - (2G) WSR

Artem Artemov - (G, A) SAG

After the holiday, the Spirit head to Sault Ste. Marie on Monday, December 28, match up against the Greyhounds. Game time is 7:07 p.m. The Spirit will wrap up the year 2015 at The Dow Event Center on Wednesday, December 30, as they play host to the Hamilton Bulldogs. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. For tickets call (989) 497-7747 or visit us atsaginawspirit.com. Be sure to catch every Spirit game on FM Talk and Sports 100.5 WSGW, with the voices of Spirit hockey, Joey Battaino and Dennis Desrosiers.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2015


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