OHL Saginaw Spirit

St. Mikes Stop Saginaw 3-1

Published on February 4, 2005 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


(Saginaw) -- The Toronto St. Mike's Majors arrived in Saginaw late, but were able to take two points home with them following Friday's 3-1 defeat of the Saginaw Spirit. The Majors were held up coming to Saginaw, and the game started ten minutes late. Spirit Head Coach and General Manager Bob Mancini pointed to undisciplined play in the team's loss. "We took some poor penalties early and it swing the momentum against us," Mancini said. "But when the game is over, it's not about wins and losses, its about how we are going to react to this outcome."

Saginaw dominated the first ten minutes of the of the first period, outshooting the Majors 10-1 in a scoreless draw. But St. Mike's Chicago Blackhawks draft pick Alexei Ivanov broke the deadlock at 11:48, on the power play, when he put home a rebound in close.

The score remained 1-0 until the five minute mark of the second period, when Toronto's Detroit Red Wing draft pick forward Tyler Haskins picked off a Spirit power play pass and rushed the length of the ice to score shorthanded. Saginaw outshot St. Mike's 10-7 but couldn't find a way through goalie Wayne Savage.

Saginaw fell behind 3-0 when Ivanov struck again on a broken play. The Spirit's Erik Lundmark grabbed the puck behind the Saginaw net, when it appeared that he was hooked to the ice from behind. There was no penalty called, and he puck bounced loose to Ivanov, who scored unassisted.

Saginaw cut the Toronto lead to 3-1 five minutes later, when Spirit forward Jesse Gimblett crashed the net. Gimblett went into the boards and flipped the puck backwards, where linemate Tom Pyatt had a crack at the goal. Pyatt's shot bounced off goaltender Savage's pads, but Marek Kvapil went top shelf for the goal. Saginaw pulled goaltender and Buffalo Sabres draft pick Jeff Weber for the final minute five of the game and had a power play for the final :21 seconds, but were unable to convert.

Spirit goalie Weber stopped 30 shots in the game. Saginaw's record moves to 15-29-2-4 on the season. Saginaw resumes action Saturday afternoon at 3:35 PM when the Spirit face the Owen Sound Attack. The game will be broadcast on WNEM TV 5 as well as on Spirit broadcast partner The New 97.3, Joe FM. Check the Spirit website for details on promotions including the return of the World Famous Blues Brothers Act.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 4, 2005


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