OHL Saginaw Spirit

Tonight: Spirit vs. Firebirds, 7:00 p.m.

Published on December 15, 2021 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Flint, MI - The Saginaw Spirit (11-11-1-0) and Flint Firebirds (12-10-0-1) meet for their sixth of 12 matchups this season in the Coors Light I-75 Divide Rivalry Series. The Spirit leads the series three games to two. Puck drop for tonight's game is set for 7:00 p.m. at The Dort Financial Center in Flint, MI.

Head-to-Head

Flint snapped a losing streak to the Spirit on their home ice that spanned over five calendar years the last time they met on Nov. 24. The Firebirds 5-3 win was their first regulation win against Saginaw since Nov. 23, 2016. Saginaw had earned at least one point in 15 consecutive games in Flint, posting a 13-0-2-0 record during that timeframe. The Birds have won the last two contests after Saginaw soared out to victory in the opening trio of head-to-heads. Their last meeting came back on Dec. 3 at The Dow Event Center, with shutting out the Spirit 3-0. Ian Michelone posted his first of his OHL career, stopping 32 Spirit shots. Coulson Pitre, Riley Piercey, and Braeden Kressler scored the for Firebirds. It was the first time the Spirit had been shut out in 51 regular season games.

Last Time Out

Saginaw: The Spirit looked to snap a season-long, four game skid when they faced the Erie Otters on Dec. 11. Saginaw and Erie had split the first four games of their 12-game season series coming into last Saturday's game. The Spirit received goals from five different scorers, en route to a 5-3 win over Erie. Defenseman Pavel Mintyukov led the way for Saginaw with a goal and two assists. The Spirit also received goals from Roberto Mancini, Justin O'Donnell, Nick Wong, and Ian Phillips, who scored his first career game-winning goal.

Flint: Tonight ends a four-game homestand for the Firebirds, who finish off the first half of the season with road games in Sarnia and Saginaw. Flint is 1-2 so far, after being swept last weekend by the Owen Sound Attack. On Dec. 10, the Firebirds held a 3-0 lead in the first period, but couldn't hang on. With the Attack down 4-1 in the middle frame, they would go on to score the next seven straight goals, including five in the third period to stun the Firebirds, 8-4. The next night, Flint trailed 2-0 in the first, but scored the next three goals to take the lead. Again, the Birds lost the lead to a pesky Attack bunch, who took a 4-3 lead with just 3:30 to go in the game. The Firebirds were unable to mount a comeback and fell by that 4-3 score.

Players to Watch

Saginaw: Dalton Duhart

The Grand Blanc, MI native loves playing against his hometown team. Duhart has six points (2G-4A) in the five previous games played this season between the Spirit and the Firebirds. The overage forward has a three-game point streak going, and points in five of his last seven games.

Flint: Brennan Othmann

Flint's leading scorer comes into tonight's game on a five-game point streak (5G-4A-9PTS). Saginaw is one of the few teams that has held the New York Rangers first round pick in check this season. Othmann has just two assists in the five head-to-head games this season.

Broadcast Information

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

Listen: 100.5 WSGW-FM | WSGW.com

Social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | #SoarWithUs | #SAGvsFLNT

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 15, 2021


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