The Spirit took to home ice again for three league games this past weekend. Rival Affton came to town for two games and Meramec #2 came in for one. The Spirit split their season series with Affton and blanked Meramec in route to a 2-1 weekend.

In game 1 the Spirit took on the Affton Americans in their first of two games on the weekend. Springfield came out firing in the first period with a goal from Wyatt Wirth, assists going to Gage Robb and Crystal Gettman. Later in the first it was Zahn Werner on an individual effort that put the Spirit up 2-0 to round out the period. In the second period Gavin Loven took the puck down the side, cut across and beat the Affton netminder to make it 3-0. Affton would respond with a goal of their own to cut the deficit to 2. From a near impossible angle off the half wall, Loven struck again over the glove of the Affton goalie to make it 4-1 Spirit. Again Affton would respond to cut the lead to 4-2. Near the end of the period, Zahn Werner picked up the puck in his own zone and went end to end to deke out the goalie and make it 5-2 with 4 seconds left in the 2nd period. The third period belonged to Affton as the Spirit turned over the puck countless times in their own zone, resulting in 4 third period Affton goals to eventually win the game 6-5. A game to remember for Affton, and game to forget for the Spirit as they would look to regroup against Meramec. In a losing effort the player of the game belt went to Zahn Werner.

In game 2 Springfield’s passing game, which was absent in game 1 came to life. Off a nice play behind the net, Gage Robb found Crystal Gettman, who found an open Wyatt Wirth in the slot. Wirth made no mistake as he fired a shot over the glove for a 1-0 lead. Less than a minute later Aidan Pallohusky found Gavin Loven for a breakaway and he shot blocker side to increase the lead to 2. In the second period Loven and Wirth connected to put a shot on goal and Gettman found the rebound to make it 3-0. It wasn’t until the 3rd period when another goal was scored. This goal came off a scramble out front, started by Wirth and Gettman. Cleaning up the trash was Gage Robb to make it 4-0 Spirit. This was all that was needed as Cooper Pumphrey shut the door when needed making 10 saves and yet another shutout for the first year peewee. Crystal Gettman won player of the game honors as she picked up a goal and 2 assists.

It didn’t take long for the Spirit to get a chance to redeem this 6-5 loss to Affton. They would play again Sunday morning. In the first period Gavin Loven found Wyatt Wirth on the half wall and Wirth put the puck in the back of the net to make it 1-0. Affton would answer less than 20 seconds later to tie the game at 1. The first period came to a close seeing both teams trade chances but to no avail. In the second period Cal Bussen and Crystal Gettman got the puck to Gavin Loven who cut across and put the puck on goal. It slowly squeaked through the pads of the Affton netminder to make it 2-1 Spirit. 2 minutes later a seeing eye shot from the blue line from Brooks Kettering found the back of the net off a pass from Zahn Werner. 12 seconds later it was Wirth again off an individual effort making it 4-1 Spirit. The 3rd period was a chess match as Affton got some good chance but Cooper Pumphrey was equal to the task in stopping 14 of 15 shots including a couple one timers where Pumphrey had to come across the crease to deny the Americans. The Spirit would hang on to win this one 4-1. Pumphrey earned Player of the Game honors for the second time this season with his great play throughout the game.

With the win the Spirit is now 5-1 in league play and 15-2-2 overall on the year. Next up, Meramec #2 comes to town on 12/10. The Spirit blanked Meramec in the Big Bear Tournament 3-0 and are looking to improve their defensive game this week in practice. The Spirit will also play a friendly game against the Bantam B Spirit on 12/11.

Notes:

Affton snapped Springfield’s 8 game winning streak.
Gavin Loven has 30 goals on the year.
Cooper Pumphrey has 7 shutouts in 19 games.

Season Leaders

Goals: Loven-9, Wirth-8, Werner-4
Assists: Wirth-6, Bussen-5, Loven-4
Points: Wirth-14, Loven-13, Bussen/Werner/Gettman/Robb-5
+/- : Loven-12, Wirth-10, Bussen/Brown-9