Spirit players Evan Breckles, Odaro Ewere, Danny Thomakos, Stephen Toltl, David Paglia and Cam Kosurko toured the Ontario SPCA York Region Animal Centre in Stouffville Monday. That’s Riley, 7, in the centre – she’s up for adoption. The team is hosting its annual OSPCA game Feb. 8.
The Stouffville Spirit are one victory out of a playoff spot in the East Conference of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
The Spirit won two of its three games during the past week to improve to 22-16-1-4. They are two points behind the Lindsay Muskies who have played two more games.
Third through ninth place are divided by eight points. The ninth place Spirit has games in hand on every other team in the conference. The top eight teams make the playoffs.
The Spirit is home to the Niagara Falls Canucks tonight at the Stouffville Arena. Lindsay, which is off Saturday, visits Collingwood Sunday afternoon.
“We had a rough streak post-Christmas but we had a 14-day break and managed to get much healthier,” Spirit Assistant General Manager Thayne Hallyburton told the OJHL this week. “Since then we have been rolling but this playoff race is incredibly close. The fact that a .500 team will miss the playoffs proves how tough this conference is.
“We respect all the teams we are battling. They are all very good teams and it seems every club has fantastic goaltending so it will all come down to buy in and effort for us. The little things matter down the stretch and I have confidence in our guys and we believe they will get it done.”
The Spirit’s final game of the regular season is on Sunday, March 5, at the Stouffville Arena.
THE SCORES
Spirit 4, Aurora 3 2OT, Feb. 1
Captain Odaro Ewere scored his 18th goal of the season 1:12 into the second overtime at the Aurora Community Centre. Charlie Vanhaverbeke sent the game into overtime with his first goal of the season 13:02 of the third period. The defenceman, who returned from the injured list this week, was named player of the week. Two other blueliners, Nathan Twohey and Andoni Fimis, had the other Spirit goals. Stephen Toltl earned the win to improve to 12-4-0-1. His 2.00 GAA is second lowest in the 24-team league.
Cobourg 4, Spirit 2, Jan. 29
The Spirit held a 2-1 lead late in the second period but couldn’t hang on. Cobourg sealed the win with an empty-netter. Julian Demiglio and Ewere scored. David Paglia assisted on both goals.
Spirit 5, Toronto Jr. Canadiens 2. Jan. 27
The Spirit bounced back from a 2-0 deficit with five unanswered goals, including four in the third period. Scorers were Riley Clark, Alex Pasternak, Demiglio, Lachlan Wells and Danny Thomakos. Tolt picked up the win.
THE SKED
Niagara Falls at Stouffville, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m.
Stouffville at Toronto Jr. Canadiens, Feb. 4, 7:15 p.m.
St. Michael’s at Stouffville, Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m.
Trenton at Stouffville, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m.
All Spirit games are broadcast on FloHockey. Go to: https://www.flohockey.tv/
NOTEBOOK
Donating blood at Saturday’s (Feb. 3) Canadian Blood Services clinic in Stouffville?
Look for Spirit players, including Nolan Jackson, Ryan Harvey, Evan Breckles and Odaro Ewere, thanking you with tickets for an upcoming Spirit game.
The Spirit was the first OJHL team to register with the Hockey Gives Blood organization.
Spirit players Evan Breckles, Odaro Ewere, Danny Thomakos, Stephen Toltl, David Paglia and Cam Kosurko toured the Ontario SPCA York Region Animal Centre in Stouffville Monday.
The Spirit will host its second annual OSPCA Day game on Feb. 8 with all proceeds from the 50/50 draw going to the Woodbine Ave. centre. OSPCA staff will be at the game to answer any questions.
Spirit This Week is sponsored by Farmer Jack’s in Stouffville and Sharon
