Sports stats



OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Travel to Flint as Coors Light I-75 Divide Rivalry Begins

October 3, 2018 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw, Michigan - The Saginaw Spirit wrapped up the month of September with an exciting five-goal rally this past weekend that ended in an overtime finish at the Dow Event Center. While the Guelph Storm scored the final goal in overtime, it's a positive building block heading into a three-game road stand.

Looking to end a three-game winless streak that began on Sept. 22, scoring 12 total goals during that stretch, the Spirit will start a best of eight series in the Coors Light I-75 Divide Rivalry Series tonight against the Flint Firebirds. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. (ET) at the Dort Federal Event Center.

The Firebirds are experiencing their own respected early setback, allowing 26 goals through four consecutive losses, including a home opening 4-2 defeat to the London Knights last Saturday, their closest scoring difference so far this season.

The lone winless club across the OHL entering Wednesday, Flint allowed 12 goals to the Erie Otters after losing the season opener, 6-2, against the Kitchener Rangers. Before their clash with Saginaw, the Flint have responded to the letdowns by acquiring Lucas Rowe and Vladislav Kolyachonok.

Both roster additions were announced on Tuesday, with Rowe being traded from the Knights in exchange for a 2020 conditional third-round OHL draft pick. The former 18th overall selection in last year's draft played in 26 games for London, recording one goal and one assist.

Kolyachonok, having being claimed off waivers, played in one game for London this season after being taken in the second round of the 2018 CHL Import Draft, earning a point on Sept. 21 in a 5-2 win over the Windsor Spitfires.

Flint captain Ty Dellandrea, recently agreeing to a three-year, entry-level deal with the Dallas Stars as the 13th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, obtained his first point of the season in the loss to London. The leading scorer for the Firebirds in 2017, Dellandrea finished with 59 points in the 20-win campaign.

The Firebirds went to two different goalies last month in Emanuel Vella and Luke Cavallin. Vella has stopped 74-of-90 shots with a save percentage of .822, recording the loss in three games. In three appearances for Cavallin, the 17-year-old has allowed an average of over five goals.

Saginaw and Flint will roll out a combined nine players having NHL ties with the Firebirds owning three in Dellandrea (Dallas), Dennis Busby (Arizona) and Fedor Gordeev (Toronto). The Spirit maintained its dominance over their in-state rival last season, winning seven games and losing once in extra time.

Sitting in fourth place in the OHL West Division standings with three points, winning its home opener against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on Sept. 19, Saginaw has seen an offensive rise from Albert Michnac, Cole Coskey and Nicholas Porco, the top three points leaders this season.

Coskey would score twice in the overtime loss to Guelph, including late in the third period which shortened the Spirit's deficit to one before Detroit Red Wings pick Brady Gilmour locked in the game-tying goal with eight seconds remaining in regulation.

Michnac has recorded three goals and four assists while Porco has enjoyed a three-game goal streak, collecting two points in the 7-5 loss to the Spitfire in the road opener.

Goaltender Ivan Prosvetov earned his first start in net on Saturday after making his OHL debut on Sept. 22 in the loss to the Sarnia Sting, replacing Cameron Lamour who got the win against the Greyhounds after making 23 saves.

Rookie Tristan Lennox has been reassigned to Milton Icehawks Jr. A on Monday, making his one appearance this season at Windsor, finishing with 12 saves.

The Spirit will next play back-to-back games this upcoming weekend, heading to Kitchener on Friday, Oct. 5, before visiting the Otters the following day. Flint will make its way to the Dow for the first time this year on Saturday, Oct. 20.

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.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 3, 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.

OurSports Central