Meijer Eagles Nest Notes: Spirit Ride Three Game Win Streak into Intense Weekend Action
(Saginaw, MI) Another three games in three days test is on tap for the Spirit as the pursuit of playoff positioning in the OHL is in full swing. The week will begin Thursday, February 18 as the Spirit welcome the Owen Sound Attack to the Dow Event Center for a 7:11 PM start. Friday, February 19 is the only road game of the week for Saginaw as they will take the ice at the John Labatt Centre in London against the Knights at 7:30 PM. The team then returns to the Dow for a contest on Saturday, February 20 as they play their final game of the regular season against Eastern Conference competition, hosting the Mississauga Majors at 7:11 PM.
The Spirit (28-22-4-2 62 points) enter the week holding down fourth place in the OHL’s West Division, and sixth in the conference after going three for three last week with wins against Plymouth, Windsor, and Sault Ste. Marie. Saginaw sits one point back of the fifth place Sault Ste. Marie, with a one point edge on seventh place Erie. Saginaw currently sits six points ahead of Owen Sound, owners of the final playoff seed in the West.
On the ice, last week’s victories were spearheaded by outstanding goaltending by both Eddie Pasquale, and rookie Tad Galansky; who were co-recipients of the Spirit’s State Farm Player of the Week honors. Pasquale’s work included wins over Plymouth and a 61 save effort against Windsor before Galansky recorded the shutout in a win in Sault Ste. Marie on Sunday. Jordan Skellett (23-55-78) remains the top assist producer in the OHL despite missing some time last week, and he ranks fourth in league points. Josh Shalla (29-28-57) is knocking on the door of a 30 goal season and remains the team’s leader in that category, while defenseman Ryan O’Connor (12-22-34) should be back in the lineup after missing last weekend’s games due to illness. The draft eligible O’Connor enters the week 17th in points by an OHL defenseman.
Toronto Maple Leafs pick Jesse Blacker. Photo: Terry Wilson, CHL
Owen Sound Attack at Saginaw Spirit - The Attack (25-27-4-2 56 points) continue to hold down the eighth and final playoff seed in the Western Conference but that stature has been challenged of late due a recent surge by the Guelph Storm, who are directly behind them in the standings. The Storm have two games in hand on the Attack which could say a lot before the playoff landscape is settled in the Conference. Owen Sound features four players that have cracked the 20 goal plateau and another in highly touted draft prospect Joey Hishon (13-20-33) who would likely be in that club but injuries have been a major factor in his season. Hishon has played in only 29 games due primarily to a broken foot sustained early in the season. Bobby Mignardi (29-30-59) and Florida Panthers prospect Garrett Wilson (29-23-52) both checked into the game with 29 goals while veteran Marcus Carroll (24-26-50) and draft eligible Steven Shipley (21-32-53) are also in the 20 goal club. The Attack are also getting solid mileage out of first year defenseman Geoffrey Schemitsch (4-31-35), who ranks fifth in rookie points and leads all freshman in assists. Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Jesse Blacker (4-25-29), who represented the Attack at this year’s OHL All-Star Classic, also helps anchor the blueline. New York Rangers pick Scott Stajcer and promising rookie Jordan Binnington form the Attack’s goaltending tandem.
Toronto Maples Leafs pick Nazem Kadri. Photo: Aaron Bell, CHL
Saginaw Spirit at London Knights - The John Labatt Centre in London has been the setting for just four wins by visiting teams this year, but the Spirit are in position to go two for two on the road against a team they could conceivably meet in the first round of the playoffs. If that did occur it would mark the second time in as many years the Spirit and the Knights (41-14-0-2 84 points) would have faced each other in the post season. The scoring for the Knights is spread out quite well and is led by Toronto Maple Leafs first round Pick Nazem Kadri (27-50-77), who suited up for his first NHL game a few days ago as an emergency call up. Kadri owns a great pair of hands and is seventh in league points after a bit of a slow start to the season. Draft prospect Jared Knight (31-21-52) is also having a big year for London with 31 goals, but his availability for the game is in question as he is nursing a bad ankle. Justin Taylor (29-23-52) provides points and leadership and former IceDog Chris DeSousa (17-27-44) is also counted upon for offense. One of the big surprises around the OHL has been the offensive contribution of veteran Steve Tarasuk (16-42-58), always a reliable defenseman in the league, who currently leads all league defenseman in goals and is tied in points with Jake Muzzin of Sault Ste. Marie. First year man Scott Harrington (0-12-12) has been steady on the Knights blueline as well as his plus-29 mark is tops for a first year player. London is also strong in goal as well as Michael Hutchinson is the number one man after a long stint with the Barrie Colts, and goaltender of the future Michael Houser shows a lot of promise.
Atlanta Thrashers prospect Chris Carrozzi. Photo: Aaron Bell, CHL
Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors at Saginaw Spirit - The Majors (37-13-4-2 80 points) come to Saginaw as arguably the best defensive team in the OHL as Mississauga has given up an OHL low 136 goals. The Majors remain twelve points behind the Barrie Colts, the top team in the Eastern Conference, and will in all likelihood be the third seed in the East come playoff time. On the ice, the Majors are anchored by one of the best one two punches in goal in Atlanta Thrashers pick Chris Carrozzi and NHL Draft Prospect JP Anderson. Carrozzi’s 2.19 goals against average is the best in the league, and Anderson is not far behind ranking third in the category. On the blueline, the unit is led by Colorado Avalanche draft pick Cameron Gaunce (6-31-37), a finalist for the OHL’s Defenceman of the Year last season, but his status for the game is uncertain due to a shoulder injury. Up front, second year man Devante Smith-Pelly (27-30-57) is having a terrific year leading the Majors in goals and he is tied in points. Smith-Pelly was one of four Majors to suit up in this year’s OHL All-Star Classic, and is eligible for this year’s NHL Draft. New York Islanders pick Casey Cizikas (23-34-57) and Jordan Mayer (24-14-38) are also key offensive cogs for the Majors.
Get your tickets! The Saginaw Spirit will host the Owen Sound Attack on Thursday, February 18 and the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors on Saturday, February 20; both games will take place at The Dow Event Center at 7:11 PM. The team also visits the London Knights at the John Labatt Centre of London Friday, February 19 at 7:30 PM. For ticket information, please contact the Spirit at 989-497-7747 or visit the Official Saginaw Spirit Ticket and Merchandise Store at 5789 State Street in Saginaw.