Spirit lives on for 15 years
Boasting continuity in ownership and the upper chamber dating back to 2002 when it first became members of the Ontario Hockey League, Saginaw Spirit will celebrate its 15th anniversary this 2016-2017 season.
Auto dealer Dick Garber brought the OHL to mid Michigan in 2002 and through the ups and downs of operating a major junior team separated from mainstream northern and southern Ontario by international border, the Spirit has established firm roots in Saginaw and carries a reputation as a solid franchise.
With Garber’s right-hand man Craig Goslin overseeing the day-to-day business operations of the Spirit as president and managing partner, Saginaw sets up for its 15th anniversary season with a hockey department led by second-year general manager Dave Drinkill and recently-hired, first-year OHL coach Spencer Carbery.
And as the Spirit has lifted its ’16-17 schedule for public viewing, Goslin likes the spread of the slate that focuses on Saturday night.
“This is a very good schedule for the Spirit in many ways.” Goslin pointed out. “First, we tried to do our best to make the schedule as player and fan friendly as possible. Second, we were successful in reducing our three-game in three-night scenarios down to four while at the same time, presenting to our fans 18 Saturday night home games.”
From a nearby Michigan rivalry, the Spirit opens the ’16-17 season on the road on Wednesday, September 21 against the Flint Firebirds.
Saginaw’s Dow Event Center doors will open to the Spirit for its home opener on Saturday, September 24 against the Guelph Storm.
The Spirit finished in eighth place in the Western Conference in 2015-2016 before losing to the Erie Otters in four straight games in the first round of the playoffs.
SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN
Saginaw plays 30 games within the West Division with eight matches against each of the Soo Greyhounds, Windsor Spitfires and the Spirit arch-rivals from Flint. The Spirit will play six games against the Sarnia Sting.
As for Midwest Division opponents, the Spirit will play 18 games in total. Saginaw will play four games against Erie, Guelph, Kitchener Rangers and London Knights and will face the Owen Sound Attack twice.
Saginaw will play 20 games within the Eastern Conference, playing each opponent once at home and once on the road.
COORS LIGHT CUP
The Spirit won’t have to wait long to seek a head start in the 2017 edition of the Coors Light I-75 Divide Cup series.
The Spirit opens the season against the Firebirds in Flint on Wednesday, September 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Home dates against the Firebirds include Wednesday, December 14, Tuesday, January 10, Friday, February 17, and Sunday, February 26.
KNIGHT SHIFT
The Spirit plays the reigning Memorial Cup champion London Knights four times during the ’16-17 season beginning at Budweiser Gardens on Friday, October 21.
Home dates against the Knights include Saturday, January 14 and Saturday, February 4.
ERIE FEELING
The Spirit reconnects with the team that ousted it from last spring’s playoffs on Saturday, October 29 at Erie Insurance Arena when Saginaw take on the Otters in the first of four regular-season meetings.
Home dates against Erie are Friday, November 18 and Saturday, January 7.
PUCK DROPS
All Spirit home dates start at 7:05 p.m. aside from three Sunday contests beginning at 4:00 p.m. and the team’s annual Education Day match on Wednesday, November 16 against the Soo with a morning game starting at 10:45 a.m. against the Greyhounds.
Good Article RR. The Dow is a nice place to watch a game which I make it to 2 or 3 home games every year since the OHL have had a team in Saggy.