Spirit host Wolves for Teddy Bear Toss
Saginaw, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit (19-9-0-1) will face-off against the Sudbury Wolves (16-10-2-1) for the first time this season on Saturday, December 16th, at the Dow Event Center.
Tonight’s Game:
Puck drop is at 7:05 PM
Tonight’s Teddy Bear Toss will benefit children in local hospitals in the Great Lakes Bay Region.
Tickets:
Phone: (989) 497-7747
In-Person: Saginaw Spirit Store (6321 State St.), Dow Event Center Box Office
Broadcast
Television: CHL TV, CHL App, OHL Action Pak Ch. 471
Radio: 100.5 FM WSGW, WSGW.com
Last Time:
This is the first time this season that the Spirit will take on Sudbury and the only time at home. Saginaw won both games against Sudbury last season, most recently a 4-2 win on December 9th, 2022. Calem Mangone, PJ Forgione helped the Spirit score four unanswered goals in the third period, and Saginaw alum Tristan Lennox made 29 saves.
Last Matchup:
The Spirit defeated the Sarnia Sting in overtime, 2-1, on Friday, December 15th, at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena. Jacob LeBlanc scored the first goal of the game and the only goal for the Sting with assists from Sean Doherty and Marko Sikic. Alex Christopoulos scored the game tying goal just 2 minutes into the third period with James Guo and Dean Loukus earning assists. Christopoulos also scored the game winning goal in the dying moments of overtime. Zayne Parekh and Calem Mangone were credited with the assists on this goal as well. Nolan Lalonde was the starting goaltender for Saginaw stopping 18 of 19 shots on goal. Nick Surzycia started in net for Sarnia and stopped 31 of 33 shots on goal, earning first star honors.
The Sudbury Wolves defeated the Flint Firebirds by a score of 6-4 on Friday, December 15th, at the Dort Financial Center. The game was back and forth with the score tied 4-4 going into the third period. Quentin Musty scored the first goal for Sudbury, while David Goyette added a pair later in the game. Evan Konyen scored the last two goals for the Wolves, including an empty net goal, giving Sudbury a 6-4 victory over Flint. Marcus Vandenberg started in net for the Wolves stopping 35 of 39 shots.
Players to Watch:
Zayne Parekh leads the Spirit in points (41) and assists (30), putting him 2nd among OHL defensemen in both categories. Michael Misa and Hunter Haight lead the team in goals (14). The Spirit will remain without center Matyas Sapovaliv (Czechia) and defenseman Rodwin Dionicio (Switzerland) who are both at their third World Junior camps. Andrew Oke leads the team in all major goaltending categories with a 2.79 goals against average (GAA), putting him third in the OHL, a .902 save percentage (SV%), and 12 wins.
With a win tonight, Spirit head coach Chris Lazary can stand alone atop the team’s coaching wins list. Last night’s overtime victory in Sarnia tied him with Todd Watson at 154.
David Goyette leads the Wolves in points (47) and assists (32). Dalibor Dvorský leads the team in goals (18) and is tied with David Goyette for most power play goals with five. Jakub Vondras leads Sudbury goaltenders with a 3.43 GAA and 11 wins. Marcus Vandenberg leads in with an .886 SV%.
Saginaw currently has seven (7) players tied to the National Hockey League (NHL), including Joey Willis (Nashville), Matyas Sapovaliv (Vegas), Hunter Haight (Minnesota), Ethan Hay (Tampa Bay), Braden Haché (Florida), Rodwin Dionicio (Anaheim) and Nolan Lalonde (Columbus, FA).
Sudbury has eight (8) NHL-drafted or signed players, including Alex Pharand (Chicago), Quentin Musty (San Jose), Dalibor Dvorsky (St. Louis), David Goyette (Seattle), Djibril Toure (Ottawa, FA), Nolan Collins (Pittsburgh), Matthew Mania (Los Angeles), and Jakub Vondras (Carolina).
