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Post by aj0512 on Oct 4, 2007 10:38:41 GMT -5
The Spirit begin a VERY difficult road trip tonight in Windsor, going up against the undefeated Spitfires (4-0 overall and ranked #7 in the CHL). Our road trip, which also includes stops in Belleville and Niagara, should be a good measurement to see how we match up against some of the top clubs in the OHL. I wonder if we'll see VanBuskirk in one of these games. Go Spirit!!!
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Post by spiritfan8 on Oct 4, 2007 11:46:28 GMT -5
Watson said last week that Van Buskirk would see action on this trip--I'm guessing in Belleville Sat. night. Nothing is make or break this early in the season, but no denying this trip's importance as a measuring stick for the Spirit. The Spouse and I, along with several other die-hards, will be on this trip cheering them on, so I'll be looking forward to reading the posts when I get back.
80 degrees this weekend.....great hockey weather!!!!
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Post by aj0512 on Oct 4, 2007 21:13:03 GMT -5
Spitfires win tonight 4-3 in a shootout. Saginaw had a 3-2 lead most of the 3rd period until the Spits tied it with 1:20 left in regulation and then won the shootout 1-0. Tough break, but hey, it's a point on the road against an undefeated team.
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Post by sagdude on Oct 5, 2007 7:52:36 GMT -5
Was anyone at the game? How did we play? For as bad as things sounded over the summer concering the strength of our team, I'm actually pretty excited about how things have turned out so far. Watson has the team working hard and for a team that was supposed to suck canal water, we've held our own against a couple of the "big boys". I know it is early, but if these guys keep working hard and responding to Watson, we might just have a decent season.
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Post by spiritfan8 on Oct 5, 2007 18:47:17 GMT -5
A few notes for you all--not only was I at the game, but I am almost embarassed to say that when I got back to the hotel, I watched it on TV. (we should be so lucky in Michigan. Not to mention the newspaper coverage the Spits get.....)
First and foremost, Ryan Daniels was absolutely sensational. He made save after save he had no business making. The third goal he was both screened and it was tipped (maybe twice). The shootout goal was just a flatout beautiful move, and props to the Spits guy. The TV announcers could not say enough good things about RD. Another terrific thing--he gave up almost no rebounds all night long.
Windsor's first two goals were identical--turnover at the blue line via a riccochet of a shot/pass
that Snetsinger took in on breakaways. Both were kind of bad breaks.
The Spits scored each of their three goals in the last 90 seconds of each period.......
Our third period goals were the first 3rd per. goals given up by the Spits this season.
After being horribly outshot in the first two periods the Spirit actually outshot Windsor (and outplayed them, I thought) in the third.
Other than RD, I had trouble coming up with the 3 "Spirit Stars", because NO ONE played poorly. I thought Comrie was beaten badly a couple of times, but neither resulted in a goal, and it was his first OHL game (along w/ J McDonough) Our best players were our best players, but the effort was outstanding (even when we were getting outshot 14-1).
And finally, for those of us concerned with attendance--There were 2600+ people at the Windsor Arena last night. I saw a little of the Soo and the Petes--two undefeated teams, in Peterborough--MANY empty seats. So it is not just us.
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Post by johnt on Oct 5, 2007 21:05:08 GMT -5
Agree with everything SF8 said, with one slight exception. Even though the guys worked very hard, they just didn't seem to "click" on a lot of their plays. Could have been the slightly narrower ice surface (80 feet) of Windsor Arena. Windsor also did not play the type of game that they are capable of.
To reiterate what SF8 said, Daniels was awesome. Without a doubt, he kept the Spirit in the game. Spits last goal in regulation (at 18:24, IIRC) was reviewed for a possible high stick infraction, but was allowed. Spirit had a couple of excellent chances to score in OT, but couldn't get the puck into the net. Jason McDonough played well on a line with his brother and Mursak. Comrie was paired with Breen. Scratches were Craig, Ogilvie and Chappell (injury).
On to Belleville tomorrow night and an Olympic-size ice surface.
JT (from Pickering, the home town of Daniels and Chappell)
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