OHL Saginaw Spirit

Two Game Weekend On Tap For Spirit

Published on October 27, 2009 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


(Saginaw, MI) The Saginaw Spirit have returned from a three game road trip, wrapping up a weekend that saw them add three points to their league standing with a record of 8-4-2-0 and 18 points. The Spirit lost a 5-3 decision to the Peterborough Petes last Thursday before battling the Kingston Frontenacs to a 5-4 overtime loss last Friday. The Spirit wrapped up their extended road swing last Sunday with a 5-2 victory over the Ottawa 67's. The team enters Week Seven with two games on the horizon, the first on the road against the Sarnia Sting on Friday, October 30 and the second at home against the Windsor Spitfires on Saturday, October 31.

The Spirit offense continues to put up big numbers, with 59 goals tallied in 14 contests. The Spirit are the second top ranked team in the OHL Western Conference, third in the league, in the goal scoring category. The team also boasts the second top power play unit in the league, with 21 power play markers in 78 opportunities for a 0.269 percent.

Forward Jordan Skellett enters the week tied for seventh in the league's top scorers category with 22 points (6G 16A). Josh Shalla continues to put up big points in his NHL draft year, with 17 points (12G 5A) in 14 games. He enters the week tied for fourth in the league's goal scoring rankings. Rookie Ivan Telegin continues to battle other rookies for the honor of being the top rookie scorer in the league; he enters the week ranked second with 14 points (7G 7A) and one point away from the top spot. Also in rookie scoring news, Vince Trocheck posted two goals last Sunday to move his season total to five goals. His nine points (5G 4A) has advanced him to sixth place in the OHL rookie scorer rankings. The team also nets some offense from it's blue line, with veterans Nick Crawford (3G 13A) and T.J. Brodie (2G 14A) both entering the week tied as the league's second top defensemen scorers with 16 points apiece.

Saginaw Spirit at Sarnia Sting - The Saginaw Spirit pay a visit to division rival the Sarnia Sting Friday, October 30, for a 7:30 PM match-up at the RBC Centre. The Sting, the fifth highest scoring team in the OHL Western Conference, enter the week tied for sixth place in the conference with 17 points and a record of 8-5-1-0.

The Sting offensive production is spread out amongst several players, including rookie Brandon Alderson (6G 0A) who has scored a team high six goals in 13 games. Alderson is joined by several other talented rookies, including Brett Ritchie (3G 2A) J.C. Campagna (2G 3A) and Craig Hottot (1G 4A). Columbus Blue Jackets pick Kyle Neuber (1G 0A) and center Steve Reese (4G 6A) provide veteran leadership up front, while center Ben O'Quinn (5G 8A) and winger Kale Kerbashian (3G 10A) have become constant contributors on the offense with each posting 13 points on the season. Defenseman Joe Rogalski (1G 12A) has chipped in from the blueline with a team high 12 assists, and along with veterans Jordan Hill (2G 8A) and Brent Sullivan (1G 7A), anchors the defense. Boston Bruins prospect Adam Courchaine has stood fast in Sarnia's net, posting a 2.21 goals against average and 0.937 save percentage over the course of six October contests.

Windsor Spitfires at Saginaw Spirit - The defending 2009 CHL Memorial Cup Champions Windsor Spitfires will be in town to take on the Spirit Saturday, October 31, with the puck dropping at The Dow Event Center at 7:11 PM. The Spitfires are still the team to beat, as they enter the week with the league's best record of 12-3-0-1 with 25 points. Windsor's offense has put up a league high 85 goals in 16 games, and enters the week on a six game win streak.

Taylor Hall (16G 18A), considered a potential first overall pick in the upcoming 2010 NHL Entry Draft, leads the Spitfires offense with 34 points in 16 games. New Jersey Devils pick Adam Henrique (13G 11A), Calgary Flames pick Greg Nemisz (12G 11A) and winger Justin Shugg (9G 11A) are just a few of the featured forwards on what is a very talented Spitfires roster. The offense also got a boost with the recent free agent signing of Toronto Maple Leafs pick Kenny Ryan (0G 3A), who's tallied three points in his first three games. The Windsor defense boasts several top tier blueliners as well, including Nashville Predators pick Ryan Ellis (0G 10A), New Jersey Devils pick Harry Young (2G 4A) and top NHL prospect Cam Fowler (2G 19A). Goalie Troy Passingham earned the starting job following his impressive play to start the season, which included three shutouts and a player of the week nod from the league in mid-October. In 15 games he's posted a 0.911 save percentage and 2.39 goals against average.

NEXT HOME GAME: American Chemical Society's Sci-Fest 2009 and Halloween Parade October 31 vs Windsor at 7:11 PM

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 27, 2009


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