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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Weekly

February 2, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


THIS WEEK IN SPIRIT HOCKEY:

On Friday night the Spirit beat the Soo Greyhounds for the fifth consecutive time this season by a 5-3 score at the Essar Centre in the Soo. Jesse Barwell had three points and Matthew Kreis added two goals in the winning effort for the Spirit. Evan Cormier made 30 saves in the win.

Saturday, the Spirit and the Kitchener Rangers did battle for the fourth and final time, with the Rangers squeaking out a 2-1 decision. Mason Kohn scored the game winning goal with 3:50 to go in the third period. Blake Clarke scored the only goal for the Spirit.

Sunday afternoon, the Spirit fell to the upstart Guelph Storm by a final score of 4-2. James McEwan led the way for the Storm with a goal and two assists.

NEXTEER AUTOMOTIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

This week's Nexteer Automotive Player of the Week is Forward Artem Artemov. Artem had a goal and two assists on the weekend. Artemov leads the Spirit in assists (27) and points (43).

NIEMELAINEN PLAYS IN CHL/NHL TOP PROSPECTS GAME:

Vancouver, BC - A long way from home, QMJHL stars Pascal Laberge (Victoriaville Tigres) and Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles) shone brightly in Vancouver, leading Team Orr to a 3-2 win at the 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game with three points each.

The two connected for the game's deciding goal in the third period just 11 seconds after Team Cherry had fought back to tie the score at two. Laberge found Dubois on a nifty give-and-go that started when Dubois picked off a turnover in the neutral zone.

Laberge's two goals and an assist earned him Jim Gregory Player of the Game honours as Team Orr took a sixth straight decision at the event dating back to 2011.

"Dubois and I played together at Under-17's and we had good chemistry together tonight," said Laberge post-game. "It's just an amazing feeling and my linemates and I worked really well together out there."

The two clubs played intense, fast-paced hockey in front of over 10,000 fans at Pacific Coliseum, drawing strong praise from Bobby Orr.

"I've been a part of a lot of these games and that was probably the best yet," said the legendary blueliner. "It was a heck of a hockey game and every kid on the ice played very well. There was some great goaltending, strong defence and it's the best game in this event that I've been a part of."

In fitting fashion, the hometown favourite got on the board first as Vancouver Giants forward Ty Ronning, who was a late addition to Team Cherry's roster, found the back of the net after connecting on a give-and-go with linemate Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting). Ronning had his initial attempt thwarted by the pad of Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips) but stayed with the play to bang in the rebound 3:09 into the first period.

Team Orr had its moments in the first despite coming away from the opening 20 minutes down 1-0. Team Cherry goaltender Evan Fitzpatrick (Sherbrooke Phoenix) was great when called upon, making a big save off QMJHL opponent Dubois early on and followed up that effort with bang-bang saves off Jack Kopacka (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) in the slot moments later.

With a clean sheet before them, the goaltenders got a workout in the opening half of the second period as a back-and-forth affair saw free-flowing offensive creativity from both teams.

Fitzpatrick continued his strong play for Team Cherry, finishing his half of the game flawless with 17 saves as he turned aside high quality chances from Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads) and Max Jones (London Knights) off the rush.

While Fitzpatrick was replaced by Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors), Hart gave way to Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes) at the opposite end after turning aside 15 of the 16 shots he faced.

With increased pressure, Team Orr managed to knot the score at one before the expiration of the second. Laberge took a pass as his line entered the offensive zone, toe-dragging the puck past an opponent to create a lane to the net and beat Sawchenko over the blocker at 17:09 with assists from Dubois and Libor Hajek (Saskatoon Blades).

Team Cherry held a 22-20 edge on the shot clock after 40 minutes with the two sides deadlocked at one.

After a relatively cautious opening half of the third, Wells would be tested in goal for Team Orr as he was forced to make big-time saves off defenceman Sean Day (Mississauga Steelheads) as he beat his man coming in off the blueline and, moments later, big winger Tim Gettinger (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) on the doorstep.

Wells kept the game tied long enough for Laberge to strike for his second of the night on the powerplay with 10:20 remaining in the third. The former second overall QMJHL Draft selection made his way off the boards on the powerplay, ripping a low release under the pad of Sawchenko.

Team Cherry wasn't done down 2-1 though as they came back just under two minutes later on a nice passing play orchestrated by Jordan Kyrou. The Sarnia Sting winger found OHL West Division opponent Logan Brown (Windsor Spitfires) open in the slot as the big 6'6" centre made no mistake, beating Wells up high with 8:36 to go.

The game wouldn't remain tied for long this time.

Team Orr capitalized on a neutral zone turnover 11 seconds later as Dubois picked off an errant pass and proceeded to give-and-go with Laberge as the dynamic QMJHL forwards both registered their third point of the night on the game's eventual winner.

Despite a heavy push from Team Cherry in the final minutes, fine goaltending from Wells helped Team Orr lock down a sixth straight victory in the event with a 3-2 decision in Vancouver.

While Laberge earned Team Orr Player of the Game honours, Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads), who had an eventful game with several scoring opportunities, received the recognition for Team Cherry.

Despite being outshot 36-27, Orr earned his ninth win in 13 games behind the bench against his counterpart Cherry who falls to a coaching record of 5-11.

By Josh Sweetland/CHL

WHAT'S NEXT?

vs. FLINT WED. FEB 3 - 7:05: TV: OHL Action Pak (Rogers CH. 456) RADIO: 100.5 WSGW FM WEB: OHL Live

The Spirit continue the Coors Light I-75 Divide Rivalry Series on Wednesday night against the Flint Firebirds. The series is tied at three games apiece. $2 beers, $2 Jet's pizza, $2 Pepsi products, and $5 student tickets will be for sale.

@ GUELPH FRI. FEB 5 - 7:30: TV: ROGERS TV CH. 20 (Guelph), OHL Action Pak CH. 460 RADIO: 100.5 WSGW FM WEB: OHL Live

The Spirit will be looking for some payback on the Guelph Storm Friday night after the Storm handed the Spirit a 4-2 loss on Sunday.

vs. SUDBURY SAT. FEB 6 - 7:05: TV: OHL Action Pak CH. 468 RADIO: 100.5 FM WSGW WEB: OHL Live

Saturday night is Mental Health Awareness night presented by McLaren Bay Medical Foundation.

For ticket information and group rates, call (989) 497-7747 or visit www.saginawspirit.com/

BROADCAST INFORMATION:

Spirit fans can catch radio broadcasts on WSGW 100.5 FM, www.fmtalk1005.com , and the FM Talk 100.5 App in the App Store or Google Play with the voices of Spirit Hockey, Joey Battaino and Dennis Desrosiers.

COMMUNITY EVENTS:

Bring your Boots- HAP, Spirit Fans are encouraged to bring boots to donate to tomorrow's game vs Flint. HAP will donate the boots to children in Michigan.

The Saginaw Spirit will be skating at Hoyt park on Sunday, February 7th from 1:00-2:00PM. Fans can come out to skate with the players in attendance.

Saginaw Spirit Saves-- Blood Drive at Garber Buick on February 22nd Spirit Players will be there from 2:30-3:30 and 4:30-5:30. Fans are encouraged to come out and donate blood. Blood Drive runs from 2-7PM. Annie from Mix 106.3 FM will be broadcasting live from 2-3PM. Make an appointment by calling 1-866-MIBLOOD or stop by to donate.

If you know of a community event you would like to see the players at, please reach out to Charley Porter at cporter@saginawspirit.com

KNOW YOUR SPIRIT PRESENTED BY GARBER CHEVROLET:

SHIVER ON THE RIVER:

Here are the full weigh-in results for Sunday, Jan. 31, provided by staff at Gander Mountain:

- Andrew Parkinson -------- 10.105 pounds

- Josh Revard -------- 8.060 pounds

- Lonny Snyder -------- 5.315 pounds

- Terry Sequin -------- 4.060 pounds

- Jeff Kelley -------- 3.575 pounds

- Dennis Preville -------- 2.98 pounds

- Jodi Williams -------- 2.725 pounds

- Dennis Preville -------- 0.870 pounds

And, in case you missed them, here were Saturday's weigh-in results:

- Pete Revard -------- 7.950 pounds

- Brian Kretz -------- 6.840 pounds

- Andrew Parkinson -------- 6.255 pounds

- Brian Brandimore -------- 5.840 pounds

- John Mikulcik -------- 5.545 pounds

- Nick Wilson -------- 4.720 pounds

- Patrick Ryan -------- 3.710 pounds

- Kevin Kawalski -------- 1.070 pounds

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MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS NIGHT:

The Saginaw Spirit have partnered with McLaren Bay Region and the Canadian Mental Health Association to raise awareness about mental health during home game on February 6th vs. Sudbury Wolves. Professionals from area mental health agencies will be on hand when the doors open at 5 p.m. to discuss referral sources that can provide immediate help in the event that a person may need assistance. The struggle with mental health issues became very personal to the Saginaw Spirit after the loss of Terry Trafford. The Spirit, McLaren Bay Region, and the Canadian Mental Health Association continue to raise awareness and provide avenues of assistance for those who are struggling.

CORPORATE PARTNER OF THE WEEK:

This week's "Corporate Partner of the Week" is McLaren Bay Region!

After merging four hospitals during the 1970s and 1980s, McLaren Bay Region developed a full continuum of health services for Northeast Michigan. With acute care at McLaren Bay Region: Main Campus and McLaren Bay Special Care on the West Campus, home health services, medical equipment, pharmacy, women's health and rehabilitation services, more than 2,000 McLaren Bay Region employees provide quality care to nearly a half million people in East Michigan.

The McLaren Bay Medical Foundation is proud to partner with the Saginaw Spirit to put Mental Health awareness to the forefront and eliminate the stigma associated with mental health issues.

For more information, visit their website, www.mclaren.org/bayregion

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2016


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