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Post by spiritfan8 on Sept 6, 2008 13:23:39 GMT -5
Just a mention for those attending this evening: Contrary to what the ever-vigilant Saginaw News reportd today, the game is NOT at the Dow. It's at the Saginaw Bay Ice Arena.
Pretty sure everyone here knows that, but woe to the casual fan who might decide to attend and ends up at the Dow.
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Post by mievl on Sept 6, 2008 14:17:50 GMT -5
oh i am there!!!!!!! last nights game sounded like a fun one, so i cannot wait to see this!!!
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Post by eaglei12 on Sept 6, 2008 15:07:43 GMT -5
Will anyone be able to post on the forum during the game for us who can't make it tonight?
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Post by spiritfan8 on Sept 6, 2008 22:18:08 GMT -5
OK, Spirit fans, here we go. Having walked the dog, and having gotten about half the kinks out of my back (the Dow seats look mighty good after those benches at the SBIA). For those of you who might want to see all the stats, here they are: www.thenoof.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26969(attention johnt: this is the part I wrote down!!!) Not playing for the Spirit tonight: Oglivie, Sol (2 nights in a row--what's up with that? I've liked this kid), Tront, Allicock, Chappell, Brodie. In goal for the entire game was Ed Pasquale. The Spirit jumped on the board first, scoring on the PP when Tyler Murovich made a nice move to the net and put it in. Assisst from Sanderson and Szwarz. They went up 2-0 on a Joe Pleckaitis deflection, also on the PP, with assists from Walsh and Combs. They first period had a lot of penalties and included 2 fights, Jason McDonough v Jake Carrick (edge to Carrick), and in what could have been a truly frightening matchup, Pleckaitis v Anthony Peluso. Fortunately for Joe, the linesmen dragged them apart quickly. Peluso ended up with an unusual 2-2-5-10 and a game misconduct. The Spirit did not score on the ensuing 4 minute PP, and indeed, their scoring for the evening was over. Second period included a potentially interesting tilt between Breen and Jordan Nolan. Not a lot of punches landed, but watch for this one during the season. Breen has the wingspan of a California condor, and was holding Nolan off to get in one good punch. Both were tossed from the game (a double instigator?  ? No explanation given). The Soo scored late in the period on a breakaway from the penalty box when the Spirit failed to hold the puck in at the blue line. Third period was very tame until there were 3 1/2 minutes to go, when the Soo scored on a goalmouth scramble to make it 2-2, and that's how it ended. Impressions and Opinions: Unlike last season (when Szwarz did) no one new really leaped off the page and impressed me. The good part of that is that I had no one impress me negatively, either. I just continue to be amazed at Murovich. So many times tonight, he would be up against 2 or 3 guys along the wall and come up with the puck. He manages to get right in front of the net and nobody ever seems to notice him. Heart of a lion. Scratch that--I do not want to insult him by using the word "Lion" in the same sentence........ Svoboda reminds me of Michael Birner, and I wasn't the only one. Same build, same long blonde-streaked hair, same skating style. He wasn't above giving guys shots here and there, which Birner also enjoyed. (Micheal was so happy after he had his first fight--remember??) Not real fast, but he seems to get to where he needs to be. Jarusek is bigger and rawer, to be expected since he is 16. They aren't as polished as Jan Mursak was upon his arrival, but they will definitely help as they continue to learn plays and personnel. Jason McDonough stepped right up, after missing a large share of last season with a serious concussion. He went with Jake Carrick, a genuine tough guy, early in the game and held his own. More importantly, he showed no fear. We may have the smallest PK unit in the league (I stole that line from the gentleman sitting behind me, who I know is reading this--you know who you are!!!) All in all, a pretty basic pre-season game. The Spirit had some nice setups in the third period that were either just inches off or stopped by St. Jacque. The refs showed that they were in mid-season form by quick-whistling off a Spirit goal, and failing to blow the whistle to stop play on the second, tying Soo goal. The first Sean Reid discussion of the season was held (even though he was not in attendance....) I understand my buds in Section 21 (who I'm sure are also reading this) thought I was moving when I mentioned having 2 more season tickets. No way!!!!!! I'll never leave!! No matter how hard you beg me to!! I believe I saw bpfox snag a t-shirt after the first period. I actually had one hit me while my head was turned--a first. I grabbed it--but there was this real cute guy behind me with big brown eyes, and I gave it to him. His dad and cousin made him say thank you before he fell asleep on his dad's lap.......... Great to see a lot of familiar faces. And great to see the puck drop. Bring on hockey season!! |
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Post by thepuckman on Sept 6, 2008 22:43:38 GMT -5
Good job on the rundown sf8. And thanks for the mention about the PK unit. I must echo pretty much the same sentiments, but I will expound slightly.
As with sf8, nobody jumped off the page negatively. Obviously Todd has some work to do, but I think most fans will enjoy watching this team play. But, I don't think the lineup we saw tonight will be the opening night lineup. Just a guess.
I had one person really impress me tonight and that was Sanderson. He worked his tail off, not afraid to mix things up, and is a spitting image of Ty Murovich (same type of player). I don't get impressed with Murovich anymore because his game is consistent, as he gives it his all every shift.
As Svoboda and Jarusek get going here and more comfortable, they are both going to be players. Both are quick and not afraid to mix it up. Svoboda, being older, probably has a little more upside this year, but Jarusek should compliment the team nicely.
It was good to see familiar faces tonight, and I cannot wait for the season to start. Too bad we don't get to see the Spirit again prior to opening night, assuming most are not going to the away series with Niagara. If you are going, drive safely and have fun.
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Post by mievl on Sept 7, 2008 1:17:23 GMT -5
all i can say is thank god hockey is back!!!!!!! both reviews are great, and dont need anything added. players whom i thought stuck out as players to watch were svoboda, sanderson (whom is like a hitting machine out there) and i thought pasquele and paton looked good as well. watch especially for this paton kid to sho wwhat he can do. he looks exactly like a smaller version of szwarz, and seems to play the same style, and that is a compliment.
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Post by bpfox on Sept 7, 2008 7:51:19 GMT -5
A couple of additional points;
Yes, I did catch a tee shirt and I gave it way to a girl in the front row. (my wife and daughter can use only so many night shirts) In fact, I almost got another one after the second period, but I just don't jump as good as I used to. ;D
As far as the rule for kicking guys out of the game if they fight during the pre-season goes it depends on the fight. If the ref feels like both guys just threw down, then they both get 5 and a game. If the ref feels that one of the guys instigated the fight, then that guys gets 2-5-10 and game and the other guy just gets 5 for fighting and gets to return to the bench when the penalty is over. That's why Carrick returned and McDonough didn't . The basic thinking here is that a guy should not be thrown out of the game for defending himself against an attack. So it there is no instigator both guys are gone, if there is an instigator only the instigator gets tossed. Hope this helps.
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Post by IGive1 on Sept 7, 2008 8:29:10 GMT -5
I did not see DE at the game, but Erie's GM was there.
Spirit played hard, but should be clear to anyone, they are going to struggle big time to score goals.
Chris Breen, as one of the more experienced players with now a more defined role, has to do better in that fight than he did.
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Post by sensspiritfan on Sept 7, 2008 8:48:14 GMT -5
I made it out to the game last night and was glad to see some somewhat meaningful hockey finally.
It was an entertaining game with a couple of scraps along the way.
I thought that Sanderson was impressive - he works hard and is not afraid to stick his nose where it doesn't belong.
Soo has a serious hate on for Murovich.
Adam Comrie LOVES to shoot the puck.
I really liked Fillman, he is very quick and does not back away from the corners.
Paton played well and he has plays with a little bit of an edge.
I am impressed with the imports play away from the puck, both are responsible backchecking and in our own end.
Saginaw players did not back down from the tough guys from the Soo ( Carrick, Peluso and Nolan ).
There was a lot of physical play early in the game.
Can't wait for the 17th.
GO Spirit!!!!!!!!!! It will be nice to prove everyone wrong again this year ( how's that for positive ).
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Post by jrp0629 on Sept 7, 2008 8:58:36 GMT -5
Did anybody else notice that Tomas Zaborsky and Jan Mursak were roaming around the arena last night? Kind of odd to see them at the pre season game eh. Cant wait for the season to start and GO SPIRIT.
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Post by bpfox on Sept 7, 2008 10:39:11 GMT -5
Did anybody else notice that Tomas Zaborsky and Jan Mursak were roaming around the arena last night? Kind of odd to see them at the pre season game eh. Cant wait for the season to start and GO SPIRIT. Mursak was also at the Blue and White game. Also, it's not unusual to have former players come to pre-season games. Even those who have been traded in the prior seasons. Many times they still have girlfriends in the area, or they come to visit their billet families. In Mursak's case he was with his girlfriend both games and will soon be heading to Traverse City for the rookie tournament up there next week. Two years ago I sat with Paul Bissonnette for awhile at a pre-season game here. I have a tradition of wearing my North Bay Jersey to pre-season games and he noticed it and we had a nice little chat about his Carree. Common theme, girlfriend from Saginaw. |
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Post by Guesswho on Sept 7, 2008 10:59:07 GMT -5
Anyone know the status of Tront he has yet to play an exhibition game or in the Blue-White game. Thanks
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Post by spiritfan8 on Sept 7, 2008 11:48:56 GMT -5
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Post by thepuckman on Sept 7, 2008 11:55:40 GMT -5
I saw both Mursak and Zaborsky last night. As BP said, Mursak is playing in Traverse City, and I think Zaborsky is as well. I was also told that Tyler Haskins was/is in town to work out with the club prior to going to training camp (Islanders I think).
I saw Tront at the game in the stands. Not sure what that means, but I did not see Ogilvie. I would say that bodes very badly for Ogilvie. But for the record, I did not see Pachis there either, but he is hurt so I did not expect to see him.
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Post by spiritgirl04 on Sept 7, 2008 12:09:50 GMT -5
Mursak, Zaborsky, Pyatt, Torquato, and Daniels will all be attending the Prospect Tourney in Traverse City this upcoming weekend/week. Should be a good tourney to watch and see quite a few past spirit play.
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? No explanation given). The Soo scored late in the period on a breakaway from the penalty box when the Spirit failed to hold the puck in at the blue line.
