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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Take on Spitfires in First Road Contest

September 27, 2018 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw, Michigan - A new face has joined the Saginaw Spirit organization just in time for their first road test of the regular-season.

Defenseman Reagan O'Grady was acquired from the Mississauga Steelheads on Sunday in exchange for three draft picks. A former first round pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection, O'Grady has appeared in over 200 league games prior to Saginaw's divisional game tonight against the Windsor Spitfires at the WFCU Centre.

O'Grady adds depth and leadership to what was already a deep position group that includes two NHL draft picks in Bode Wilde (New York Islanders) and Reilly Webb (Detroit Red Wings). O'Grady was dealt to the Steelheads at last season's trade deadline from Sudbury, where he spent 27 games as an alternate captain.

The 19-year-old's four years of OHL experience should come as rewarding for the Spirit, who dropped a 6-2 loss to the Sarnia Sting at the Dow Event Center last Wednesday, three days following rookie Cole Perfetti's two-goal outing in a decisive home opening win over the Soo Greyhounds.

With the roster in full strength for the Spirit after welcoming back those who returned from various NHL training camps, Thursday marks the first-of-eight regular season matchups between the two West Division foes, as well as the first before the month of November.

The Spitfires, who fell to Sarnia in last year's quarterfinals by six games, has not missed the playoffs in four years. Having claimed three CHL Memorial Cups since 2009, Windsor last won the round-robin tournament in 2017 as the host team.

Led by center Luke Kutkevicius and rookie Will Cuylle, the Spitfires had six days off subsequent to back-to-back games against the Guelph Storm and London Knights. Windsor won its home opener last Thursday by a 4-3 overtime finish over the former before allowing five goals the following day to the Knights.

Kutkevicius finished the preseason leading the team in points (eight), assists (seven) and a plus-minus of +8. Cuylle, who totaled 16 shots on goal over the course of five games, finished tied for first place in the OHL with three others in goals (five).

Saginaw has had two players notch two goals this early into the regular season in Perfetti and Albert Michnac. Michnac also leads the Spirit in points (four) while being one-of-four players who have recorded at least four shots on goal in a single game.

Goaltenders Cameron Lamour and Ivan Prosvetov have combined for 42-of-50 stopped shots and a .840 save percentage. Lamour earned the win over the Greyhounds while Prosvetov made his debut against Sarnia after participating in the Vegas Rookie Faceoff earlier this month by way of the Arizona Coyotes.

Saginaw's longest winning streak last season on the road was five games from Dec. 17-Jan. 18, finishing with two wins against the Spitfires away from the Dow.

You can catch the action tonight with Joey Battaino and Dennis Desrosiers beginning at 6:50 p.m. on 100.5 WSGW-FM, iHeartRadio app, and fmtalk1005.com . Tonight is the first Buffalo Wild Wings Spirit Watch Party of the season at 2690 Tittabawassee road in Saginaw. For more information, log on to saginawspirit.com/radio

For tickets and more information:

Reserve your seat at The Dow Event Center by calling (989) 497-7747 or visit www.saginawspirit.com for more information. YOUR Region. YOUR team. YOU'RE invited.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 27, 2018


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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