OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Take Down No. 1 Ranked Otters 3-1

February 19, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


SAGINAW, MI. - On Saturday night, the Saginaw Spirit hosted the Erie Otters for the third of four meetings this season. Thanks to an impressive performance by Evan Cormier, the Saginaw Spirit took down the Erie Otters by a score 3-1 in front of 5,023 fans at The Dow Event Center.

A fast paced first period found the Saginaw Spirit and Erie Otters going back-and-forth, keeping the Spirit crowd on the edge of their seats. It didn't take long for the Spirit to open the scoring and take a 1-0 lead, as Artem Artemov opened the game's scoring at 1:06 of the first period on his 17th goal of the season. Matthew Kreis picked up the lone helper on the play. Saginaw's defense and Evan Cormier kept the Erie offense at bay, as they held on to their one-goal lead for a majority of the period. It wasn't until 17:30 of the period that Alex DeBrincat set up Vanya Lodnia, who put the Otters on the board at tied the game at one apiece. Both teams exchanged penalties, but were unable to capitalize with the extra attacker. Shots in the first period favored Erie, 9-7.

In the second period, Saginaw's defense and Evan Cormier continued to stand tall and kept the Otters under wraps. The majority of the period was scoreless, until Hayden Hodgson picked up a pretty pass from Jesse Barwell and pushed the Spirit out in front 2-1 at 12:11 of the middle frame. Tye Felhaber was also credited with an assist on the play. Shots in the second period stayed consistent as the Otters outshot the Spirit, 9-7.

A scoreless third period, left the Erie Otters ferociously fighting to tie the game. Evan Cormier continued to stand on his head, denying the Otters offense and keeping the Spirit gripping on to their one-goal lead. In desperate hope of tying the game, Erie pulled Devin Williams to gain an extra attacker. Saginaw's Kris Bennett sought out the opportunity to keep the Spirit on top, as he slipped the puck in the empty Erie net and buttoned up a 3-1 lead. The score would stand until the final buzzer sounded, securing a 3-1 victory over the Erie Otters. Final shots favored Erie, 29-23.

Applebee's Three Stars

Artem Artemov - (G) SAG

Evan Cormier - (28 SVS) SAG

Matthew Kreis - (A) SAG

The Spirit welcome the Soo Greyhounds to The Dow Event Center on Saturday night for Faith Night. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. The Ice Blast weekend continues on Saturday night in the Bud Light Blue Line Club! Enjoy a chili cook off, music and join in on the fun with the Zooperstars! For tickets call (989) 497-7747 or visit saginawspirit.com.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 19, 2016


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