OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Tally Two in Final Minutes for 5-4 Win Over Sting

Published on September 22, 2007 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


(Saginaw, MI) The Saginaw Spirit beat the Sarnia Sting 5-4 at TheDow Event Center Saturday night, moving their record to 1-1-0-0 and 2 points. The Spirit tallied two goals in the final minutes of the game to clinch their first win of the season.

"The boys showed a lot of heart tonight," stated Spirit center Brad Smith, "We got down early in the third but didn't put our heads down. We kept working and came out on top."

Sarnia jumped to an early 1-0 lead at the 5:09 mark in the first when center Harrison Reed (CAR) tallied a goal off an assist from winger Colt Kennedy and defenseman Ryan Wilson. Saginaw quickly answered with a goal at 6:48 in the first; defenseman Nigel Williams (COL) shot the puck in from the blue line courtesy an assist from center Brad Smith and winger Tom Craig. The play marked Smith's first OHL point. The Sting finished out the first period with a power play goal at the 8:09 mark from winger Justin DiBenedetto, assisted by Wilson and defenseman Steve Ferry. The period ended 2-1 Sarnia.

The Spirit tied up the game 2-2 in the final minutes of the second period, with winger Tomas Zaborsky (NYR) scoring at the 14:47 mark. Center Ryan McDonough and winger Jan Mursak (DET) tallied assists on the goal. Spirit winger Patrick Asselin gave the Spirit a 3-2 lead at 1:16 in the third period with a goal assisted by Smith, but the Sting quickly responded with a goal from defenseman Jordan Hill tying the game 3-3; center Steve Reese and Kennedy assisted. Sarnia's DiBenedetto scored his second of the night at the 5:05 mark on the power play to give the Sting a 4-3 lead. Center Steven Stamkos and Ferry assisted on the goal.

The Spirit kept up the fight, winning the game in the final minutes courtesy two goals. The first came at the 18:26 mark from McDonough, assisted by defenseman T.J. Brodie. Spirit center Jack Combs scored the game winning goal at 18:57 in the third. Asselin and Williams assisted on the goal.

Spirit netminder Ryan Daniels (OTT) tallied 28 saves in the effort while Sting goalie Tomi Karhunen notched 35 saves.

For a complete game sheet, please visit www.ontariohockeyleague.com

The Spirit take on the Greyhounds in Sault Ste. Marie Friday, September 28th at 7:30 PM, then return to TheDow Event Center for a 7:11 PM match-up against the Owen Sound Attack on Saturday, September 29th. The Saturday game will feature a Spirit Magnet Schedule give-a-way and an appearance from Magic 106.3.

For more information, please contact Bill Konesko at 989-598-4797.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 22, 2007


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