OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Travel to Guelph Looking to Snap Losing Skid

December 10, 2021 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Guelph, ON - The Saginaw Spirit continue their four-game, road swing Friday night with a 7:30 engagement with the Midwest Division's Guelph Storm from the Sleeman Centre in Guelph, Ontario.

Head-to-Head

The Storm took the first matchup of the season just six days ago at The Dow Event Center by a 2-1 score. Pavel Mintyukov opened the scoring in the opening period, but Saginaw's offensive was held to just 17 shots and just 10 in the final two periods. Second period goals from Matthew Papis and Matthew Poitras were enough to propel the Storm to the victory.

Last Time Out

Saginaw: The Spirit took to the ice just 14 hours after their 2-1 loss to the Guelph Storm, four hours north in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Sunday afternoon. Five unanswered goals for the Greyhounds in the final two periods led to a 7-2 decision for the Soo. Rookie Ian Phillips and Cam Baber each scored in the first period for the Spirit. Phillips' goal was his first in his OHL career. Rookie goaltender Andrew Oke made 26 saves in goal for the Spirit. St. Louis Blues prospect Tanner Dickinson (2g-1a-3pts) and Calgary Flames prospect Rory Kerins (0g-3a-3pts) led the way for the Greyhounds. 14 Hounds skaters registered at least point.

Guelph: The Storm entertained the Sarnia Sting Wednesday night and suffered their first regulation loss at home since Oct. 15. Four, first period tallies set the tone of the game for Sting, who received multi-point efforts from Nolan Dann, Theo Hill, Nolan DeGurse, Nolan Burke, and Ty Voit. Matthew Papis scored his second goal in as many games for the Storm, who also got goals from Ben McFarlane and Vegas Golden Knights prospect Daniil Chayka. After a solid performance in his last outing in Saginaw, Jacob Oster surrendered five goals on 22 shots in the Storm net, tying a career-high.

Players to Watch

Saginaw: Pavel Mintukov

Rated as an "A" prospect heading into the 2022 NHL Draft, Russian Import defenseman Pavel Mintyukov continues to progress as a top defender on both sides of the puck in the Ontario Hockey League. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound defenseman had a six-game point streak snapped on Dec. 2 against Flint. Mintyukov scored against the Storm on Dec. 4 with a powerplay goal, one of five points on the power play this season for Mintyukov.

Guelph: Sasha Pastujov

The OHL's eighth-leading scorer resides in the Royal City in Anaheim Ducks draftee Sasha Pastujov. Pastujov joined the Storm prior to this season out of the U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP) and scored in eight of his first nine career games (10g-7a-17pts). Pastujov set up the game-winning goal scored by Matthew Poitras on Dec. 4 in Saginaw. He had a three-game point streak snapped on Wednesday night against Sarnia.

Broadcast Information

Watch: CHL TV | Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings Saginaw (2690 Tittabawassee Road)

Listen: 100.5 WSGW-FM | WSGW.com

Justin Prince will call tonight's action along with Dennis Desrosiers, as play-by-play voice Joey Battaino is unable to travel with the team this weekend.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 10, 2021


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