Spirit News: November 2022

 

     The Saginaw Spirit are currently in 1st place in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) Western Conference standings with 35 points, and an overall record of 17-6-1 (1 overtime loss).  The Saginaw Spirit roster currently features three players that have already been selected by NHL (National Hockey League) teams including Goaltender #30 Tristan Lennox (New York Islanders), Defenseman #10 Pavel Mintyukov (Anaheim Ducks), and Center #24 Matyas Sapovaliv (Vegas Golden Knights). 

     The Saginaw Spirit roster currently features six players from the state of Michigan including Right Winger #43 Davis Codd (Brighton), Defenseman #27 P.J. Forgione (Novi), Right Winger #12 Dean Loukus (Calumet), Goaltender #29 Andrew Oke (Shelby Township), Defenseman #22 Mitchell Smith (Saginaw). and Right Winger #21 Liam Storch (Rochester Hills).

     Saginaw Spirit Defenseman #10 Pavel Mintyukov is currently 2nd in the OHL in points with 35.  Mintyukov has accumulated 12 goals, and 23 assists in 24 games played this season.  Spirit Goaltender #30 Tristan Lennox is currently 2nd in the OHL in wins with 12.  

     Leave a comment or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com  Click on the links below for more information about the Saginaw Spirit, or the Ontario Hockey League.  Click on past months to see all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.  Check out Game Notes.  

                                                                                    Game Notes  

-  Left Winger #77 Michael Misa currently leads the Saginaw Spirit in goals with 14.

-  Chris Lazary is the Head Coach of the Saginaw Spirit.

-  Dave Drinkill is the General Manager of the Saginaw Spirit.

-  The Saginaw Spirit play their home games at the Dow Event Center located at 303 Johnson Street, in Saginaw.

For more information about the Saginaw Spirit click on  https://saginawspirit.com  

For OHL stats, and standings click on  https://ontariohockeyleague.com 

Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com 

Click on the arrow next to previous months to see the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material. 

Spirit News: February 2022

 

     The Saginaw Spirit are currently in 10th place in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) Western Conference standings with 35 points, and an overall record of 17-30-1 (1 overtime loss).  The Spirit are currently 7 points out of the final spot of the 2021-2022 OHL Western Conference Playoffs with 20 regular games left on their schedule.  The Kitchener Rangers, and the Sarnia Sting currently sit ahead of the Spirit in the OHL Western Conference standings with 42 points each.  

     The Saginaw Spirit roster currently features two players that have already been selected by NHL (National Hockey League) teams including Left Winger #17 Josh Bloom (Buffalo Sabres), and Goaltender #30 Tristan Lennox (New York Islanders).  Josh Bloom currently leads the team in goals, and in points.  Bloom has accumulated 23 goals, 24 assists, and 47 points in 48 games played this season.

     The Saginaw Spirit roster currently features six players from the state of Michigan including Right Winger #43 Davis Codd (Brighton), Left Winger #19 Dalton Duhart (Grand Blanc), Defenseman #27 P.J. Forgione (Novi), Right Winger #12 Dean Loukus (Calumet), Defenseman #22 Mitchell Smith (Saginaw), and Goaltender #29 Andrew Oke (Shelby Township). 

     Windsor Spitfires Center #55 Wyatt Johnston currently leads the OHL in points this season with 85.  Johnston has already accumulated 29 goals, and 56 assists in 46 games played this season.  London Knights Right Winger #14 Luke Evangelista currently leads the OHL in goals this season with 41.  Evangelista has also accumulated 39 assists, and 80 points in 41 games played this season.  Kingston Frontenacs Right Winger #27 Lucas Edmonds currently leads the OHL in assists this season with 57.  Edmonds also has 26 goals, and 83 points in 47 games played this season.  London Knights Goaltender #30 Brett Brochu currently leads the OHL in wins this season with 27. 

     Leave a comment or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com  Click on the links below for more information about the Saginaw Spirit, or the Ontario Hockey League.  Click on past months to see all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.  Check out Game Notes.  

                                                                                          Game Notes 

-  The Saginaw Spirit played their inaugural OHL season in 2002-2003.  

-  The Saginaw Spirit play their home games at the Dow Event Center located at 303 Johnson Street, in Saginaw. 

-  Chris Lazary is the Head Coach of the Saginaw Spirit.  

-  Dave Drinkill is the General Manager of the Saginaw Spirit.  

-  Spirit Left Winger #17 Josh Bloom was selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the 31st pick (95th overall) in the 3rd Round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.  Josh Bloom is from Oakville, Ontario. 

For more information about the Saginaw Spirit click on  https://saginawspirit.com 

For OHL stats, and standings click on  https://ontariohockeyleague.com 

Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com 

Click on the arrow next to previous months to see the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.  

     

CHL On CBC

 

     Live broadcasts of CHL (Canadian Hockey League) games can be seen on Saturday afternoons throughout the season on CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Company).  The CHL includes the OHL (Ontario Hockey League), the QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League), and the WHL (Western Hockey League).  The next live broadcast on CBC is scheduled for Saturday at 3:00 p.m. when the Kingston Frontenacs host the Mississauga Steelheads.  Both teams compete against each other in the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League.  

     The Flint Firebirds, and the Saginaw Spirit both compete against each other in the Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League.  The Flint Firebirds are currently in 4th place in the OHL Western Conference standings with 12 points, and an overall record of 6-3.  The Saginaw Spirit are currently in 7th place in the OHL Western Conference standings with 11 points and an overall record of 5-3-1 (1 overtime loss).

     Leave a comment, or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com  Click on the links below for more information about the Canadian Hockey League, Canadian Broadcasting Company, or the Ontario Hockey League.  Click on past months to see all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.  Check out Game Notes. 

                                                                                        Game Notes 

-  The Kingston Frontenacs are currently in 5th place in the OHL Eastern Conference standings with 14 points, and an overall record of  6-3-2 (2 overtime losses).  

-  The Mississauga Steelheads are currently in 7th place in the OHL Eastern Conference standings with 13 points, and an overall record of 6-4-1 (1 overtime loss). 

-  CBC broadcasts Hockey Night In Canada live on Saturday nights throughout the NHL season. 

-  This Saturday night's broadcast of Hockey Night In Canada features the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Buffalo Sabres at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Vancouver Canucks at the Vegas Golden Nights at 10:00 p.m.

For more information about the Canadian Hockey League click on  https://chl.ca 

For more information about Canadian Broadcasting Company click on  https://www.cbc.ca 

For OHL stats, and standings click on  https://ontariohockeyleague.com 

Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com 

Click on the arrow next to previous months to see the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.       

Whalers & Spirit Eliminated!

#21 Ryan Hartman (in white) is a Chicago Blackhawks draft pick!  Hartman has a promising future in the NHL.

     The Plymouth Whalers, and the Saginaw Spirit each ran into buzz saws in their respective series, and both teams have been eliminated from the 2014 OHL (Ontario Hockey League) Playoffs.  The Guelph Storm eliminated the Plymouth Whalers, and the Erie Otters finished off the Saginaw Spirit.  The best of seven series ended in 5 games for both the Whalers, and the Spirit, and both teams won game 3 of their respective series.
     The Plymouth Whalers were a young team this year, and weren't expected to be a top team in the OHL.  The Whalers finished the regular season with 63 points, and an overall record of 28-40 (7 shootout losses).  The Whalers earned the final spot in this years OHL Playoffs, but were outscored 7-2 in game 4, and 8-3 in game 5. The Whalers will miss the contributions next season of players like #4 Nick Malysa, #9 Zach Lorentz, and #25 Carter Sandlak.  It is expected that #21 Ryan Hartman will be on a NHL (National Hockey League) roster next season, and #32 Gianluca Curcuruto has a chance to make it as well.  Hartman is a Chicago Blackhawks draft pick, and Curcuruto is a Columbus Bluejackets draft pick.  The Whalers will be lead next season by #39 Alex Nedeljkovic, #22 Matt Mistele, #16 Victor Crus Rydberg (VCR), and #23 Connor Sills.  Click on the link below for more information about the Plymouth Whalers.
     The Saginaw Spirit were a scrappy bunch, and were lead by their goaltender #57 Jake Paterson.  Paterson is a Detroit Red Wings draft pick, and certainly has a future in the NHL.  The Spirit finished the season with 71 points, and an overall record of 33-35 (4 overtime losses, and 1 shootout loss).  Saginaw earned a #3 seed in this years OHL Playoffs, but lost 3 games to the Erie Otters by 1 goal.  The Spirit will miss the contributions of #15 Eric Locke next season, but Saginaw will have several players returning to the team.  Click on the link below for more information about the Saginaw Spirit.
     Do you think that either Ryan Hartman, or Jake Paterson will have a successful career in the NHL?  You can always leave a comment, and you can email the Mitten State Sports Report directly at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com   Click on the links below for more information about the Ontario Hockey League, or the National Hockey League.  Click on past months to check out exclusive photos from several OHL games.

The Plymouth Whalers will be back next season!  Click on the links below!

 







For more information about the Plymouth Whalers click on  plymouthwhalers.com



For more information about the Saginaw Spirit click on  http://www.saginawspirit.com



For OHL stats, and standings click on  http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com



For NHL stats, and standings click on  http://www.nhl.com



Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com 



Click on past months to check out all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material!  

OHL Playoffs: Local Preview

The Ontario Hockey League Playoffs kick off tonight for the Plymouth Whalers, and the Saginaw Spirit!

     The OHL (Ontario Hockey League) Postseason begins tonight for several teams throughout the Ontario area, and for two teams from the state of Michigan.  The Plymouth Whalers have qualified for the OHL Playoffs for the 23 consecutive season, and the Saginaw Spirit also find themselves eligible for postseason play.  Both teams will be underdogs in their respective series, but both teams are well coached, and each squad has the talent to compete against anyone in the Ontario Hockey League.
     The Saginaw Spirit have earned themselves a #6 seed in the Western Conference Playoffs, and will matchup against the #3 Erie Otters in a seven game series. Saginaw finished the regular season with 71 points, and an overall record of 33-35 (4 overtime losses, 1 shootout loss).  The Erie Otters finished the regular season with 106 points, and an overall record of 52-16 (2 overtime losses).  The Erie Otters are lead by a trio of talented players that lead the Ontario Hockey League in goals, points, and assists.  #74 Dane Fox lead the OHL in goals this season with 64, and was 2nd overall in points with 107.  #28 Connor Brown lead the OHL in points with 128, and assists with 83.  #97 Connor McDavid was 4th overall in points with 99, and 2nd overall in assists with 71.  If the Spirit are going to advance past Erie, they'll have to contain the trio of scorers that the Otters feature.
     The Plymouth Whalers have earned themselves an #8 seed in the Western Conference Playoffs, and will matchup against the #1 Guelph Storm in a seven game series.  Plymouth finished the regular season with 63 points, and an overall record of 28-40 (7 shootout losses).  The Guelph Storm finished the regular season with 108 points, and an overall record of 52-16 (2 overtime losses, 2 shootout losses).  The Storm are anchored by #17 Tyler Bertuzzi (nephew of Todd Bertuzzi), and lead by #24 Scott Kosmachuk.  #24 Kosmachuk was third overall in the OHL this season in points with 101. The Whalers must contain #17 Bertuzzi, and #24 Kosmachuk if they hope to advance into the second round of the Western Conference Playoffs.
     Do you think either the Plymouth Whalers, or the Saginaw Spirit will advance in the Ontario Hockey League Playoffs?  Leave a comment or email the Mitten State Sports Report directly at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com  Click on the links below for more information about the Saginaw Spirit, the Plymouth Whalers, or the Ontario Hockey League.  Scroll down to see when the Whalers, and Spirit are playing!  Click on past months to check out exclusive photos from several Ontario Hockey League games.











                                              Plymouth Whalers vs. Guelph Storm
                                                     Games 5-7 only if necessary




Game 1 - Plymouth at Guelph - Tonight - 7:30 p.m.  

Game 2 - Plymouth at Guelph - Tomorrow - 7:00 p.m.

Game 3 - Guelph at Plymouth - Tuesday - 7:00 p.m.

Game 4 - Guelph at Plymouth - Wednesday - 7:00 p.m.

Game 5 - Plymouth at Guelph - Friday, March 28th - 7:30 p.m.

Game 6 - Guelph at Plymouth -  Sunday, March 30th - 4:00 p.m.

Game 7 - Plymouth at Guelph - Tuesday, April 1st - 7:00 p.m.










                                                   Saginaw Spirit vs. Erie Otters
                                                    Games 5-7 only if necessary





Game 1 - Saginaw at Erie - Tonight - 7:00 p.m.

Game 2 - Saginaw at Erie - Tomorrow - 7:00 p.m.

Game 3 - Erie at Saginaw - Monday - 7:11 p.m.

Game 4 - Erie at Saginaw - Wednesday - 7:11 p.m.

Game 5 - Erie at Saginaw - Thursday - 7:11 p.m.

Game 6 - Saginaw at Erie - Sunday, March 30th - 6:00 p.m.

Game 7 - Saginaw at Erie - Monday, March 31st - 7:00 p.m.

The Saginaw Spirit will have to contain the trio of talented players from Erie including #97 Connor McDavid. 

For more information about the Ontario Hockey League click on  http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com



For more information about the Plymouth Whalers click on  plymouthwhalers.com



For more information about the Saginaw Spirit click on  http://www.saginawspirit.com



Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com



Scroll down and vote in the monthly Poll Question!  UofM or MSU?  A&W or IBC?



Click on past months to check out all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material!

Whalers vs Spirit Photo Album

On March 10th, 2013, the Plymouth Whalers hosted the Saginaw Spirit

The Saginaw Spirit celebrated an early goal!

Vincent Trocheck was the Spirit's captain before being traded to Plymouth earlier this season!

In the end the Whalers celebrated the 7-5 victory!

Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com



   

Spirit Eliminated From Playoffs!

The Saginaw Spirit have been eliminated from the Ontario Hockey League Playoffs!

    The 2011-2012 campaign came to end for the Saginaw Spirit on Saturday.  The London Knights were the top overall seed in the Western Conference, and they eliminated Saginaw from the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) Playoffs. The Spirit lead the series 2 games to 1, but Saginaw lost games 4 through 6.
    The Spirit may have entered the Postseason with a bit of a controversy in net.  Clint Windsor, and Jake Paterson split the goaltending duties during the regular season, but Jake Paterson became the "go to guy" once the OHL Playoffs began.
     The 2011-2012 Spirit featured four players from our local area including defenseman Brad Walch who resides in Saginaw.  Six NHL (National Hockey League) clubs have already drafted seven Saginaw players including Center Vincent Trocheck (Florida Panthers) who lead the Spirit in points during the regular season with 85. Spirit Left Wingers John Shalla, (Nashville Predators) and Brandon Saad (Chicago Blackhawks) both contributed 76 points during the regular season, and both players are expected to achieve success at the next level.
     The Spirit season got off to a rough start, and as a result Head Coach Todd Watson was fired.  Greg Gilbert took over the roll, and really got the team rolling.  The future looks bright for the Saginaw Spirit as Greg Gilbert has installed a winning attitude to go along with much support from the Tri-Cities.
     The London Knights will face the winner of a game 7 Conference semifinals matchup between Kitchener and Plymouth.  In the Eastern Conference, the Niagara Ice Dogs have already advanced to the Conference finals, and await the winner of a game 7 Conference semifinals matchup between the Ottawa 67's and the Barrie Colts.








Click on the link below for more information about the Saginaw Spirit!

For more information about the Saginaw Spirit click on  http://www.saginawspirit.com/



For OHL stats, and standings click on  http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com



Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com

Whalers Shut Out Rangers!

Several banners proudly hang above Compuware Arena!

 








     The Plymouth Whalers entered last nights game against the Kitchener Rangers trailing 1-0 in a best of seven series that will decide which team advances to play in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) Western Conference finals.  The game was scoreless until early in the third period when Mitchell Heard found Matt Mistele who flipped the light switch for his first playoff goal to give the Whalers a 1-0 lead.  Just over a minute later, sloppy puck handling by the Rangers resulted in a turnover, followed by an Andy Bathgate goal to give the Whalers a 2-0 lead that would eventually hold up as the final score.  Whalers goalie and New Jersey Devils prospect Scott Wedgewood recorded 26 saves while posting his first career playoff shutout, while Tom Wilson left Ben Thomson's nose bloody during a late second period scuffle that only proves that the intensity level is increasing as we move deeper into the playoffs.
     The Saginaw Spirit are tied 1-1 with the London Knights in the other Western Conference semifinal matchup.  In the Eastern Conference, the Niagra IceDogs hold a 2-0 lead over the Brampton Battallion, and the Barrie Colts are even 1-1 with the Ottawa 67's (all series are best of seven).
     The Whalers will host the Kitchener Rangers in game 3 tomorrow night at Compuware Arena in Plymouth.  Click on the links below for more information about the Plymouth Whalers, the Saginaw Spirit, Compuware Arena, or the Ontario Hockey League!


Click on the link below for more information about the Plymouth Whalers!






For more information about the Plymouth Whalers click on plymouthwhalers.com



For more information about Compuware Arena click on  http://www.compuwarearena.com



For more information about the Saginaw Spirit click on  www.saginawspirit.com



For more info about the Ontario Hockey League click on  http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com 



Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com