Saginaw Spirit 2023-2024 Season Thread (Part 2)

[Slap Shot Rick]

There was one more interesting thing I had never seen before last night.

Saginaw was the visitor last night against Drummondville.

There was a ceremonial puck drop before the game, with just one puck, and both captains went to “win” the draw. Drummondville’s guy ended up picking up the puck.

Which is probably what should happen based on the spirit (no pun intended) of a ceremonial puck drop - the home team always “wins” the drop.

But since everyone’s favorite captain Haché also went for the puck, I don’t think much thought was given to it ahead of time. I wondered if something would come out of it but it didn’t appear to.

Drummondville was considered the "Home" team on the Zamboni end scoreboard too.

 

[EvenSteven]

The host team, in lieu of having an optimal schedule, is always the visiting team two of three games.

 

[three dog night]

I know it’s a Sunday night, but why not a full barn?!

They will be millions of excuses

 

[three dog night]

London game out drew he host games.

 

[Finster8]

They will be millions of excuses

London game out drew he host games.

No excuses cause whoever shows up wants to be there. As far as the London game that’s awesome, try and curve the energy to your own, why post to cause shit.

 

[bobber]

London game out drew he host games.

The Mem Cup is a hockey tournament as far as I know. Didn't know the winner is the team that had the best attendance.

 

[Agent 53]

With respect to attendance, how did your Plymouth Whalers fare in comparison?

Not great. Hence the reason they moved. Not enough die hard hockey fans in that area. Mainly folks who would buy Wings tickets.

Weird area for minor league hockey.

 

[Spits1963]

This attendance BS is this the only thing to bitch about, who cares how does this effect the game. Can you imagine if we lost both games. So the host team has beaten WHL+QMJHL Champions. Not bad for a team that was questioned on being good enough by many on here and a Thread about Saginaw flaws and inability to do the OHL proud, Could the Cup move? They have already and even if we lose IMHO it’s about the young men on the ice. London has a hell of a team, if not us than them. Let’s hear it

I’ll cheer for Saggy and any other OHL team. But London?? Sorry can’t do it. Just not in my DNA.
LOL!!

 

[Spits1963]

Was out at the Lake for the weekend when a couple with green T-shirts walked by, (couldn’t see what was written on them) So I asked if I missed St. Paddy’s day? All they could say was LONDON KNIGHTS. Told them to keep walking.
Lol
Go Spirit!!

 

[TcNorth]

The Memorial Cup is not inbedded in Michigan and Saginaw kids minds like, let’s say the Super Bowl. Decent crowds for Saginaw on one of the States biggest Holiday Weekends. PS: The Civic Center and surrounding area looked really super last night. So blessed to have seen my 1st Memotial Cup Game! Stayed with my nephew in Birch Run who also attended.

 

[HockeyPops]

There was one more interesting thing I had never seen before last night.

Saginaw was the visitor last night against Drummondville.

There was a ceremonial puck drop before the game, with just one puck, and both captains went to “win” the draw. Drummondville’s guy ended up picking up the puck.

Which is probably what should happen based on the spirit (no pun intended) of a ceremonial puck drop - the home team always “wins” the drop.

But since everyone’s favorite captain Haché also went for the puck, I don’t think much thought was given to it ahead of time. I wondered if something would come out of it but it didn’t appear to.

I loved the ceremonial puck drop that Lindros did this playoffs. After posing for what seemed like an eternity for all the pictures, instead of dropping the puck he just threw it over into the Oshawa captain's feet.

There was no question who was picking up that one.

 

[Buttsy]

With Saginaw beating both the WHL and QMJHL league champions, the "back door" attack can be put the rest, as they've bested Drummondville and Moose Jaw.

Saginaw lost in the Conference Final to the eventual OHL Champion. Not only that but clearly Saginaw was superior to the Eastern Conference Champion (Oshawa). IMO there NEVER was a "backdoor" entrance to the Memorial Cup, Saginaw deserved to be there and are representing the OHL just fine. Attendance is solid and from what we are being told the festivities are on par with previous hosts. Well done, however I am sorry to say we (London) will have to spoil the party and win the Memorial Cup!

 

[nelli27]

Saginaw lost in the Conference Final to the eventual OHL Champion. Not only that but clearly Saginaw was superior to the Eastern Conference Champion (Oshawa). IMO there NEVER was a "backdoor" entrance to the Memorial Cup, Saginaw deserved to be there and are representing the OHL just fine. Attendance is solid and from what we are being told the festivities are on par with previous hosts. Well done, however I am sorry to say we (London) will have to spoil the party and win the Memorial Cup!

"Backdoor" by definition in the junior hockey world simply means that a team has advanced (e.g. to the Memorial Cup) without having won their league title (the preferred means of advancing). In that case, Saginaw has advanced through the "backdoor". We can also discuss how this backdoor entry has fared in the tournament, and it's easy to see that the Spirit have been impressive, have beaten league champions, and are every bit as good as the other entries.

 

[BThumme]

I just have one request for the Spirit tonight. They will no doubt end up shorthanded today. Just please have someone stay on Halttunen and do not let him shoot. Turn it into a 4 on 3, I don't care, just don't let him shoot.

 

[nelli27]

I just have one request for the Spirit tonight. They will no doubt end up shorthanded today. Just please have someone stay on Halttunen and do not let him shoot. Turn it into a 4 on 3, I don't care, just don't let him shoot.

Ovechkin watches game type of Halttunen on the PP to learn the art of the one-timer.

 

[Fergus31]

Enjoy tonight. Very rare two OHL teams are 2-0 and it’s in your local building to watch. Your fans have been so welcoming!

 

[OHLTG]

FYI - looks like tonight is SRO.

 

[ohloutsider]

Enjoy tonight. Very rare two OHL teams are 2-0 and it’s in your local building to watch. Your fans have been so welcoming!

It is playing out the same way it did in 2017. That could change tonight.

 

[Mr Puck]

The Spirit D absolutely gassed in the third period. That's what happens when you only play four D the entire game. What was Lazary thinking.

 

[Otto]

The Spirit D absolutely gassed in the third period. That's what happens when you only play four D the entire game. What was Lazary thinking.

Games are on TSN. More breaks and longer too. Most teams do this

 

[Knights Watcher]

The Spirit D absolutely gassed in the third period. That's what happens when you only play four D the entire game. What was Lazary thinking.

The whole team looked gassed in the third after that tremendous push in the 2nd. Tired legs and minds tend to make more mental errors and sometimes that's all it takes. I was worried about London using only 4D the entire tournament and it showed in the second period. The 4 days of rest will be welcomed. Good luck the rest of the way.

 

[ottawarenegader613]

The whole team looked gassed in the third after that tremendous push in the 2nd. Tired legs and minds tend to make more mental errors and sometimes that's all it takes. I was worried about London using only 4D the entire tournament and it showed in the second period. The 4 days of rest will be welcomed. Good luck the rest of the way.

How the heck could Saginaw be gassed in the third period after they had a huge push in the 2nd period, and haven't played in two days until last night's game?? I don't know if Lazary was overplaying his top lines and thinking that the lengthy TV timeouts since the game was nationally broadcast on TSN would give them a bit of breather and boost in the third period. Unfortunately, it didn't work. We will see how Saginaw responds in the Semifinals against Moose Jaw tomorrow.

 

[Knights Watcher]

How the heck could Saginaw be gassed in the third period after they had a huge push in the 2nd period, and haven't played in two days until last night's game?? I don't know if Lazary was overplaying his top lines and thinking that the lengthy TV timeouts since the game was nationally broadcast on TSN would give them a bit of breather and boost in the third period. Unfortunately, it didn't work. We will see how Saginaw responds in the Semifinals against Moose Jaw tomorrow.

To me, live, they looked gassed. Could be the style London played in the 3rd that didn't allow the Spirit to free-wheel in the O-Zone.

 

[swoopster]

looking at some M Cup player stats for Saginaw
Dionicio 1assist
Mangone 1 assist -2
Sapovaliv 1 assist -3

some surprises there, all 3 have been missing.

 

[Hardcore Techno]

Unless you win your league, being a mem cup participant is not an accomplishment.

I was a Greyhound fan. I'm so done ! 32 years of nothing !