|
|
Post by donjohnson on Feb 23, 2023 11:05:25 GMT -5
Do they still do a beer tent for Ice Blast? That always used to be fun to go outside into the tent and listen to a band and have a beer in the cold...just felt like hockey to me.
Anyway, the team is riding high after a FANTASTIC 4-game road trip where the offense was clicking and the goaltending was really strong. This weekend, however, is another big test and all 3 games are going to be a big challenge. The good part is the boys should be feeling really positive and we're welcoming back two good friends to town in Bloom and Hislop. I don't think either of them wanted to leave Saginaw but they are on a very good team and North Bay has the best goalie in the league in Dom Divincentiis. Hopefully we'll see the backup goalie but I'm guessing they'll throw Dom at us and Sarnia and the backup will get Flint on Saturday. Regardless, we'll have to find some goals and continue to get solid goaltending.
We know what we're getting from Sarnia on Saturday night and hopefully we have the beer tent because I may need some to watch that game. I'm guessing Oke will get the start on Saturday because they seem to throw him to the wolves but that's OK because he's played well against Sarnia before and had a great game on Monday in Missy. Sarnia's goalies can be beat (that's their weakest part) but we have to get quality chances or it will be an easy day for them.
Finally we head down to Flint to see our friends for the last time this season. Feels a little strange not seeing them as much because of how much we played them last year but we've already clinched the cup but I'm sure they'll want to finish the season strong against us. I would imagine we'll run Lennox against them and both of their goalies haven't been playing well so if we can steal one against North Bay or Sarnia, I like our chances against Flint to win the weekend. If we lay 2 eggs at Ice Blast, I'm a little scared we'll get run out of the building in Flint even though we're the better team.
Finally, I don't know what Misa's timetable to return is but whenever he is able to return to the lineup, he'll provide a big spark for the team. Hopefully they don't change the line of McNamara, Sima and Stewart...those guys are flying around the ice and I love that Stewart is finding his place in the lineup. Nothing against guys like Storch, Phillips and Moore but Stewart should be in the lineup ahead of all of those guys and it's showing on the scoresheet.
|
|
|
|
Post by MidlandSpiritFan on Feb 23, 2023 18:24:47 GMT -5
No outside tents. It’s been several years since they have done that.
|
|
|
|
Post by MidlandSpiritFan on Feb 23, 2023 22:00:09 GMT -5
Do they still do a beer tent for Ice Blast? That always used to be fun to go outside into the tent and listen to a band and have a beer in the cold...just felt like hockey to me. Anyway, the team is riding high after a FANTASTIC 4-game road trip where the offense was clicking and the goaltending was really strong. This weekend, however, is another big test and all 3 games are going to be a big challenge. The good part is the boys should be feeling really positive and we're welcoming back two good friends to town in Bloom and Hislop. I don't think either of them wanted to leave Saginaw but they are on a very good team and North Bay has the best goalie in the league in Dom Divincentiis. Hopefully we'll see the backup goalie but I'm guessing they'll throw Dom at us and Sarnia and the backup will get Flint on Saturday. Regardless, we'll have to find some goals and continue to get solid goaltending. We know what we're getting from Sarnia on Saturday night and hopefully we have the beer tent because I may need some to watch that game. I'm guessing Oke will get the start on Saturday because they seem to throw him to the wolves but that's OK because he's played well against Sarnia before and had a great game on Monday in Missy. Sarnia's goalies can be beat (that's their weakest part) but we have to get quality chances or it will be an easy day for them. Finally we head down to Flint to see our friends for the last time this season. Feels a little strange not seeing them as much because of how much we played them last year but we've already clinched the cup but I'm sure they'll want to finish the season strong against us. I would imagine we'll run Lennox against them and both of their goalies haven't been playing well so if we can steal one against North Bay or Sarnia, I like our chances against Flint to win the weekend. If we lay 2 eggs at Ice Blast, I'm a little scared we'll get run out of the building in Flint even though we're the better team. Finally, I don't know what Misa's timetable to return is but whenever he is able to return to the lineup, he'll provide a big spark for the team. Hopefully they don't change the line of McNamara, Sima and Stewart...those guys are flying around the ice and I love that Stewart is finding his place in the lineup. Nothing against guys like Storch, Phillips and Moore but Stewart should be in the lineup ahead of all of those guys and it's showing on the scoresheet. Have really enjoyed your pre-weekend write ups. Keep up the great work. |
|
|
|
Post by aj0512 on Feb 23, 2023 22:32:27 GMT -5
Looks like we won't have to deal with Artem Guryev on Sunday in Flint, who is suspended (again) for checking a Sarnia player after a goal on Monday.
The next two weekends are really tough. I think I'd be satisfied taking 3 out of 6 points honestly. But Owen Sound lost again last night to Erie, so Saginaw is really in the driver's seat now for that 4-seed.
|
|
|
|
Post by MidlandSpiritFan on Feb 25, 2023 16:21:58 GMT -5
The Spirit ran into a wall in the form of Dom DiVincentiis last night as North Bay shut out Saginaw 4-0. The Batallion goaltender stymied the Spirit earning 1st star honors with a 33 save shutout. This was the best goaltending performance I have seen all season. DiVincentiis was square to the shooter on just about every save he made. His counterpart Tristan Lennox also played well making 20 saves on 22 shots. North Bay added 2 empty net goals late in the 3rd period. Saginaw was 0 for 5 on the power play against the top penalty killing team in the league. That included a nearly 2 minute 5 on 3 opportunity. North Bay was also shut out on the power play going 0 for 3. Saginaw had a 1 minute brain fart in the 1st period that led to 2 North Bay goals. A horrendous turnover out of the corner to the right of Lennox led to the 1st goal. About a minute later Saginaw fell asleep allowing an odd man rush leading to the 2nd goal.
It’s a short turnaround with Sarnia coming to town tonight for the 6th and final game of the regular season series. Sarnia is coming off a 4-3 shootout loss at London last night. Saginaw won all 3 games in Sarnia before the holidays. Sarnia has spanked Saginaw twice at Wendler Arena since the trade deadline. Sarnia currently is 3 points ahead of Saginaw in the standings. Hoping to see a nice bounce back win on chili cook off night in the Red Room prior to tonight’s game.
|
|
|
|
Post by spiritfan8 on Feb 25, 2023 18:56:53 GMT -5
Looks like we won't have to deal with Artem Guryev on Sunday in Flint, who is suspended (again) for checking a Sarnia player after a goal on Monday. Firebird Nation site is up in arms about the Guryev suspension because (wait for it) THE COACH NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAD HIM ON THE ICE LATE IN THE GAME DOWN 3 OR 4 GOALS BECAUSE HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WOULD HAPPEN. There are literally posters calling for the coach to be fired over this. And, of course, they’re mad that the goalie was pulled. Again. |
|
|
|
Post by ricardo on Feb 26, 2023 0:20:58 GMT -5
Well, the Ice Blast Weekend was a disaster on the ice. I thought going into this weekend the Spirit would at least take two of three games, but they fell back into their old habits. This team lacks toughness, except for Smith getting in a fight tonight. Too often the opposing team takes liberties with the Spirit players with little, or no push back. The other issue I saw tonight was skating around looking for the perfect pass or shot. I think it was Loukas that skated a circle around the whole offensive zone without making a pass or taking a shot. All that confidence they gained on the road trip just went out the window.
|
|
|
|
Post by donjohnson on Feb 27, 2023 8:24:53 GMT -5
Well, the only positive thing out of the weekend was Smith sticking up for a teammate and then being named a captain. Other than that, it was a total S*#! Sandwich.
I hope that these players understand that the scouts don't care if Mintyukov got traded or that the Sarnia bus was delayed...they are playing themselves down the draft board with their lack of effort. These kids are supposed to be fighting for their future and there is just no fight in them. You are down 4-0 at HOME and yet they just play the rinky-dink, ticky-tack game like they're in an all-star game with no hitting. If we're going to give up odd man rushes, let it be because our defenseman lit someone up on the boards or open ice. If there's going to be a fight, let it be because they instigated with us because we were taking the hitting to them. This might be the softest team I've ever seen. With the exception of Sima and sometimes Haight, there's not a single person on this team who looks like they can throw a competent body check.
|
|
|
|
Post by MidlandSpiritFan on Feb 27, 2023 14:41:49 GMT -5
I can’t add anything to what ricardo and donjohnson already said. Very disappointing weekend.
|
|
|
|
Post by aj0512 on Feb 27, 2023 15:36:50 GMT -5
I thought we played a decent game against North Bay. But when DiVincentiis is on his A-game he is hard to beat. Sarnia, I think, is the real deal. They just get no attention because everyone is always talking about London and Windsor. I think they could beat both teams in a seven game series. Flint, on the other hand, yeah...that was disappointing all around.
Next weekend isn't going to be much easier. Kingston might be a must-win game (currently 9th in the East). Points in Peterborough and Ottawa will be hard to come by.
|
|
|
|
Post by MidlandSpiritFan on Feb 27, 2023 16:59:27 GMT -5
I thought we played a decent game against North Bay. But when DiVincentiis is on his A-game he is hard to beat. Sarnia, I think, is the real deal. They just get no attention because everyone is always talking about London and Windsor. I think they could beat both teams in a seven game series. Flint, on the other hand, yeah...that was disappointing all around. Next weekend isn't going to be much easier. Kingston might be a must-win game (currently 9th in the East). Points in Peterborough and Ottawa will be hard to come by. Sarnia sure lit up Divincentiis on Sunday! |
|
|
|
Post by swoopster on Feb 27, 2023 17:36:00 GMT -5
Sarnia is big, strong in the corners,and plays a physical game with talent...
|
|
