2/10/2012

 Spirit Defeat Erie 5-2

Tonight at The Dow Event Center was the Jet’s pizza player magnet giveaway and Spirit of Commerce night! After the pre-game festivities, the Spirit defeated the Erie Otters by a score of 5-2.  Scoring for Spirit was spread out amongst three players: Josh Shalla, Garret Ross and Jimmy Lodge.

The first period was an even battle between the two teams. The scoreless first half was finally broken at the 14:34 mark when Josh Shalla fired a shot past Saginaw native Devin Williams to put the Spirit up 1-0. Michael Fine and Brandon Saad assisted Shalla’s goal.  The Spirit would remain one up on the Erie at the end of the first period.

The first twenty seconds of the second period, Erie’s Luke Cairns scored a short-handed goal.  Nathan Glass assisted Cairns goal.  The Spirit would answer back however.  At the 6:00 mark, Garret Ross took control of the puck and scored on Erie!  Vincent Trocheck and Eric Locke assisted Ross’s tic-tac-toe goal.  Saginaw’s goal would not be enough to keep Erie away.  19:29 Erie’s Nick Betz fires a long shot that sneaks past Spirit’s goaltender, Jake Paterson.  Stephen Harper and Kris Grant assisted Betz’s goal.  The score would remain tied 2-2 heading into the third period.

5:14 in the third period Jimmy Lodge drove towards the net and fired a shot past Williams for Saginaw’s third goal of the game!  Justin Kea assisted Trocheck’s goal.  With the adrenaline rushing, the Spirit kept the scoring going.  18:35 in the period, Garret Ross hung around the net and scored off a rebound to make the score 4-2.  Frank Schumacher and Jacob Ringuette assisted Ross’s goal.  Moments later, Shalla landed himself his second goal of the night.  Saad and Fine assisted Shalla’s goal to remain three goals ahead of Erie.  Saginaw would go on to win over Erie by a score of 5-2!

For a complete game sheet, please visit www.ontariohockeyleague.com

Rescue Ministries Night!  The Spirit return home tomorrow night, February 11^th 2012 to take on Sault Ste. Marie.  It is also the Rescue Ministries night and again the Jet’s pizza player magnet giveaway!  You won’t want to miss out on the fun!  Puck drops at 7:11 pm!  For all 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.  Tickets can also be purchased at SaginawSpirit.com or any TicketMaster Outlet.