[ad_1]
In three video games this final week (Feb. 5-11), the Saginaw Spirit received all three contests they’d, largely thanks to a powerful exhibiting from Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Beck and a few well timed goaltending, together with a number of milestones being reached for a number of gamers as properly.
Game Results
Feb. 9 vs Owen Sound Attack: 5-4 extra time win (35-13-0-1)
Feb. 10 vs Erie Otters: 5-2 win (36-13-0-1)
Feb. 11 @ Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds: 3-0 win (37-13-0-1)
Week of Milestones
The 2023-24 season has seen the Spirit attain a number of milestones as they’ve been one of many Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) finest groups. This previous week was no completely different, as a number of completely different milestones had been reached for particular person gamers. Starting with one of many high prospects within the 2024 Draft, defenceman Zayne Parekh continued his breakout season with a strong three-game week, tallying 5 factors, to assist push him over the 70-point mark and taking on the primary spot for factors by a defenseman within the league this season.
Parekh made himself greater than noticeable within the offensive zone all through the Spirit’s final three video games and was a key contributor within the three wins. This included the game-winning aim in opposition to the Owen Sound Attack in extra time. With his stellar play persevering with, he may very simply discover himself climbing greater up the NHL Central Scouting rankings when the ultimate rankings come out (he’s at present ranked as the 10th-best North American skater).
Sign up for our NHL Prospects & Draft Substack publication
Another milestone reached was goaltender Andrew Oke recording his first OHL shutout of his profession within the 3-0 win over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He was in between the pipes for 2 of the three Spirit wins this previous week and as soon as once more was strong for the group, developing with some big-time saves when known as upon. Sticking with the goalie theme, Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Nolan Lalonde has been one in every of, if not the league’s hottest goalie during the last month of play and earlier within the month set a Spirit franchise file for consecutive wins for a netminder. His scorching play continued in his lone begin in opposition to the Erie Otters as he earned himself win quantity 50 in his OHL profession whereas pushing his win streak to 14, which is the longest within the OHL since Brett Brochu received 12 straight within the 2019-20 season for the London Knights.
With the way in which the season has gone for the Spirit, there’ll doubtless be loads of extra possibilities for extra milestones to be reached and information to be damaged earlier than the common season ends.
Beck Leads the Way Offensively
When the Spirit acquired Owen Beck back on Jan. 8, they hoped that he would assist their offence go to one other degree as they’re making a powerful push to win the 2024 Memorial Cup, which they’re internet hosting. So far in his time in a Spirit uniform, Beck has been every thing they’d hoped he can be, recording 24 factors in simply 15 video games.
Related: Saginaw Spirit Going All-In for Memorial Cup Run
Latest News & Highlight
The offensively gifted Beck led the way in which for the Spirit’s offensive output over their final three video games, making himself like Parekh, very noticeable within the offensive zone. His fixed motion within the zone combined in together with his robust playmaking potential and highly effective shot made opponents have their arms full at any time when the Montreal 2022 second-round choose was on the ice. In whole, he tallied seven factors with 4 objectives and three assists in simply the three video games the group performed during the last week.
While the offensive numbers pop off the sheet, what would possibly go unnoticed by the typical eye has been Beck’s robust face-off expertise. When in want, the Spirit have known as upon him to take some crunch time faceoffs and continued to achieve this recently once more. He had no concern answering the decision, having received 51% of all of his faceoffs taken during the last three video games (26/51), serving to lead to much more offensive zone possibilities at instances for his teammates.
Other Stats of Importance
- The Spirit’s particular groups had been on completely different ends of the spectrum within the final three video games, with the ability play solely going 3 for 15 as their penalty kill killed off eight of the 9 shorthanded conditions they’d.
- Defenceman Rodwin Dionicio continued his robust offensive season with 4 extra factors, together with Vancouver Canucks prospect Josh Bloom who had 4 factors himself as properly.
- The Spirit discover themselves sitting on the high of the West Divison and second within the Western Conference behind the red-hot London Knights. They have recorded some extent in 12 of their final 13 video games performed.
What’s Next for the Spirit
After wrapping up their seven-game homestand on Feb. 10, the Spirit hit the street this upcoming week (Feb. 12-18) for 3 video games, as they journey to Barrie to tackle the Colts (Feb. 15) earlier than heading to Sudbury (Feb. 16) and North Bay (Feb. 18) to spherical out their week of motion.
[ad_2]
Source link
