Whalers and Spirit celebrate HDIM

An event that started in Canada has moved to Michigan in a big way this Saturday as hockey organizations from all levels throughout the state celebrate Hockey Day in Michigan.

The Ontario Hockey League’s Plymouth Whalers and Saginaw Spirit will contribute to the fun, excitement and celebration of hockey as they face-off Saturday night at 7:30 pm at the Compuware Sports Arena.

Fans looking for the Whalers-Spirit rivalry to start heating up will get their wish, as the two teams will meet six times over the final two months of the season in meaningful games. Plymouth – in first place in the OHL’s West Division with a 23-18-1-3 record, good for 50 points – comes into the weekend two points ahead of Saginaw (24-20-0-0).

Plymouth and Saginaw start the weekend by playing Thursday in Saginaw at the Dow Event Center at Wendler Arena. After Plymouth hosts Sault Ste. Marie Friday, the Whalers and Spirit meet again Saturday at the Compuware Sports Arena.

In addition to playing Saturday, the Whalers and Spirit have teamed up for the following:

As part of the celebration, one lucky Whalers fan - as well as one fortunate Saginaw Spirit fan - will each win a Whalers/Spirit Prize Pack including home and home tickets for two, overnight hotel accommodations to an upcoming Whalers/Spirit game, food and restaurant gift certificates and signed team memorabilia from each squad.

Two youth hockey players (one from Saginaw County and another from Metro Detroit) will be introduced as the Hockey Day Kids of the Game and treated to an-on ice introduction at the start of the game. Kids can sign up at any Whalers home game at the Kids Club table or register on-line at www.plymouthwhalers.com.

All fans in attendance will be treated to Michigan Hockey Trivia - announcements and an in-game contest focused on Michigan Hockey Heroes.

All Fans sporting a hockey jersey from any Michigan based squad (at any/all levels) will be given a discounted ticket voucher valid for select Whalers home hockey games.

The Whalers will continue a season-long celebration of playing their tenth season at the Compuware Sports Arena by honoring Whaler alumni Randy Fitzgerald (who played for the Whalers in 1996-97 when the building opened) and Jamie Lalonde.