Spirit spoil Carter's performance

Not even an offensive outburst by Jeff Carter could spoil Bob Mancini's debut behind the bench.

In his first game this season as head coach, Mancini led the Saginaw Spirit to a 5-4 win over the Soo Greyhounds on Wednesday night at the Saginaw County Event Center.

Mancini, also the team's general manger, was forced to step behind the bench after head coach Doug Lidster resigned on Tuesday after being involved in an altercation with Spirit goaltender Mike Brown before practise on Sunday.

Lidster has admitted to poking Brown in the chest during the confrontation.

In regret to actions and to halt any criticism directed at the club in light of the incident, Lidster said he voluntarily stepped down from his post.

Brown made the start on Wednesday and kicked aside 36 of 40 Greyhound shots for the win.

The Spirit opened a 2-0 lead in the first period after the start of the game was delayed 27 minutes as referee Pat Smola endured trouble getting to the arena. Tom Pyatt scored for the Spirit at 4:03 before Jean-Michel Rizk added another at 10:02.

Jeff Carter (pictured) began his goal outburst at the 16:56 mark with his 12th goal of the year to close the gap to 2-1 after a period.

Carter tied the game midway through the second period before Jesse Gimblett restored the Spirit lead just 1:21 later. Carter drew the Hounds back into a tie with his third of the night late in the period.

Chris Lawrence scored his fourth of the year at 7:28 of the third period to put the Hounds ahead 4-3 but goals by Patrick McNeill and Risk shortly after lifted the Spirit to the win.

The Greyhounds held the Spirit to 22 shots on goaltender Jakub Cech and were only assessed a single minor penalty in the second period.

Lawrence also had a big night with assists on all three Carter goals. Marek Kvapil recorded three assists for Saginaw.

The victory for the Spirit was only the seventh of the season as the franchise continues to struggle since the move from North Bay to Saginaw. The Spirit have gone through four coaches and recorded season win totals of 11 and 16 the past two years.

The Soo have now lost three straight games and fall to 9-12-3 for 21 points. The club sits in third place, five points behind west division leading Windsor with two games in hand.

The Greyhounds conclude their five-game road swing on Friday in Sarnia at 7:30 p.m. before returning home to face the Guelph Storm on Sunday at 7 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.