Blue-White game sets up Spirit for OHL pre-season

SAGINAW, Mich. (Courtesy Saginaw Spirit) – The Saginaw Spirit training camp invitees took part in the annual Blue vs. White Game on Wednesday (Aug. 30, 2017) at The Dow Event Center.

Team White struck first as 2017 third round pick Ryan Stepien found himself alone on the door step of Evan Cormier’s net at 6:26 of the first period. Team White won a faceoff in the offensive zone and Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Keaton Middleton hurried a shot toward the net. Stepien drove hard to the net to pot the rebound opportunity.

Team White continued the pressure throughout the period, but New Jersey Devils’ prospect, Cormier stood tall in goal, stopping 18 shots in the opening frame. Brendan Bonello was only tested five times by Team Blue and was flawless, making the slim lead hold up into the middle stanza.

Team Blue battled back, tying the game a little over midway through the middle period. Gianluca Fuoco slid a rebound past Cameron Lamour, who relived Brendan Bonello. Team Blue came in on a give-and-go play with D.J. Busdeker. Fuoco tapped in his own rebound to tie the game.

At 13:56, Detroit Red Wings prospect Brady Gilmour gave Team Blue their first lead of the game. Gilmour accepted a pass on the left wing and snapped a shot over the left shoulder of Lamour. Assisting on Gilmour’s tally was 2017 first round pick Nicholas Porco and second-year forward Damien Giroux. Team Blue padded their lead late in the period when 2017 third-rounder Camaryn Baber found daylight on the right side of Lamour to give them a 3-1 advantage.

Team White outshot Team Blue in the second, 19-17, but the tandem of Cormier and Tyler Masternak shut the door to preserve a 3-1 lead.

Stepien’s second of the night started the Team While third period rally and Danny Katic notched the equalizer with 4:04 to play.

Max Grondin collected the overtime winner for White, with a wrister that eluded the glove of Masternak.

Final shots favored Team White 54-33.

Spirit opens the Exhibition season on Saturday (Sept. 2) when they take on the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds at The Dow Event Center. For tickets and more information, log on to www.saginawspirit.com.

Season Tickets for the 2017-18 season are on sale NOW! Reserve your seat at The Dow Event Center by calling (989) 497-7747 or visit www.saginawspirit.com for more information.