Spirit fall to the Brampton Battalion 4-1 at the Dow Event Center Saturday night:

The Brampton Battalion took advantage of a strong second period to defeat the Saginaw Spirit 4-1 in front of 3,348 fans at the Dow Event Center in downtown Saginaw Saturday evening.  The Spirit outshot the Battalion in the first and third periods respectively, but the young Spirit team gave up two goals in the second period; which tilted the game decisively in favor of Brampton in shots-on-goal, and quality scoring opportunities.

The Spirit played great early on -outshooting Brampton 10-6 in the opening period- but, the two teams exchanged goals and skated to the locker room tied at one goal apiece through one period. 

After Brampton’s big left wing, (6’-3” 200 lb) Brandon Robinson scored his second goal of the season to give the Battalion a 1-0 lead just 5:38 into the game, it was Saginaw rookie, Jeremiah Addison’s time to shine.  Addison –Saginaw’s number-one pick in the 2012 OHL priority draft- sniped home a one-timer from fellow rookie, Brandon Lindberg at 17:08 of the first period to tie the game at one goal apiece.  The goal was Addison’s first of his career in the OHL. “It feels good to get that first one out of the way,” said Addison of his monumental goal.  “It took awhile, but hopefully I can build from this and continue to do well.”

Saginaw came out flat in the second period and Brampton took full advantage, scoring a power play goal at 5:49 after Spirit defenseman, Ramon Lopez was whistled for boarding at the 5:34 mark of the second period.  Brampton would add another goal at 15:12 of the second period, as they outshot Saginaw 15-8 in the middle frame.  The young Spirit team seemed to be trying to force opportunities after falling behind in the second period; which resulted in some quality scoring opportunities for Brampton.  

“I’m not so sure it was a lack of discipline (in the second period), as it was guys overextending shift’s,” Spirit head coach Greg Gilbert said.  “We’ve played a lot of hockey and some of the guys were tired; and they just made themselves even more tired instead of keeping their shifts short-&-hard and staying fresh, and I’m also sure there were a couple of goals that Pat’er (Jake Paterson) would like to have had back, but that’s just the way it is sometimes.”

The Spirit will head north on I75 Wednesday November, 21 (the night before Thanksgiving) for a road game against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.  The Spirit will then head south on I75 Friday November, 23 (the night after Thanksgiving) for a road game against the Windsor Spitfires; before making yet another trip north up I75 back home to Saginaw on Saturday November, 24 for a 7:11 p.m. faceoff, as they host the Kingston Frontenac’s.  Until then, have a happy Thanksgiving.  We will be looking forward to seeing you down at the Dow….