Spirit close weekend with visit from 67’s
Saginaw, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit (33-13-0-1) will host the Ottawa 67s (24-17-4-1) for the only time this season at the Dow Event Center on Sunday, February 4th.
Tonight’s Game:
Puck drop is at 5:30 pm. It’s Faith Night at the Dow Event Center, with postgame autographs in the Budweiser Red Room presented by Upper Deck. Trading cards will also be available for purchase in the Spirit Store.
Broadcast:
Television: CHL TV, CHL App, OHL Action Pak Ch. 470
Radio: 100.5 FM WSGW, WSGW.com
Last Game:
The Saginaw Spirit took on the Barrie Colts the first time this season on Saturday, February 3rd, at the Dow Event Center. Hunter Haight opened up the scoring against his former team. Spirit history was made in the second period with Zayne Parekh scoring his 23rd goal of the year, the most by a Saginaw blueliner in one season. The Colts soon went on to score three goals coming from Beau Jelsma, Cole Beaudoin and rookie Riley Patterson to take their first lead of the night. Alex Christopoulos tied the game in the third to send it into overtime. One minute into OT, Matyas Sapovaliv scored the game winner to give Saginaw a 4-3 victory over Barrie. Nolan Lalonde extended his personal win streak to 12, saving 19 of 22 shots on goal while Michigan native Sam Hillebrandt saved 36 of 40 shots on goal for the Colts.
The Ottawa 67’s traveled to the Dort Financial Center to take on the Flint Firebirds on Saturday, February 3rd. Rookie Chase Yanni scored his first OHL goal in the first followed by Luca Pinelli scoring early in the second. With three minutes left in the second period, Nolan Dann scored Flint’s first goal of the night to cut their deficit to one. Gavin Ewles scored his first goal of the season to send the game into overtime, and Luca Pinelli scored the game winner to give the 67’s a 3-2 victory. Ian Michelone saved 24 of 26 shots on goal for Ottawa while Nathan Day saved 23 of 26 shots on goal for Flint.
This Season:
The Saginaw Spirit took on the Ottawa 67’s on January 19th at the TD Place. Michael Misa scored the first goal of the game, but Matthew Mayich and Samuel Mayer followed up with a pair of first period goals as well. Lincoln Moore, Josh Bloom, and Zayne Parekh all scored goals in the second to give Saginaw a 4-2 victory over Ottawa. Andrew Oke started in net for the Spirit, saving 24 of 26 shots on goal while Collin Mackenzie saved 35 of 29 shots for the 67’s.
Players to Watch:
Zayne Parekh leads the Spirit in points (68) and assists (45). Michael Misa leads the team in goals (24) with ten being power play goals. Owen Beck has a career total of four goals and 15 assists against the 67’s, the most of anyone on the Spirit roster. Andrew Oke continues to lead in all major goaltending categories for Saginaw, including a 3.05 goals against average (GAA), a .889 save percentage (SV%), and 20 wins.
Luca Pinelli leads the 67s in points (53) and goals (32). Henry Mews leads in assists (32) with 14 coming on the power play. Braeden Kressler is second on the team in points (50), goals (20), and assists (30). Kressler, a former Flint Firebird, has faced Saginaw more than any other 67, leading the team in goals (12) and assists (11) against the Spirit. Max Donoso leads Ottawa in all major goaltending categories including a 3.45 GAA, .891 SV%, and 10 wins.
Saginaw currently has ten players tied to the National Hockey League (NHL), including Joey Willis (Nashville), Josh Bloom (Vancouver), Matyas Sapovaliv (Vegas), Hunter Haight (Minnesota), Ethan Hay (Tampa Bay), Owen Beck (Montreal), Jorian Donovan (Ottawa), Braden Haché (Florida), Rodwin Dionicio (Anaheim) and Nolan Lalonde (Columbus, FA).
Ottawa has seven players tied to the National Hockey League (NHL), including Braeden Kressler (Toronto, FA), Tuomas Uronen (Vegas), Brady Stonehouse (Edmonton, FA), Luca Pinelli (Columbus), Brad Gardiner (Dallas), Cooper Foster (Pittsburgh), and Matthew Mayich (St. Louis).
