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Flint Firebirds

Preview: Flint Hosts Saginaw for College Night: $2 Beers & $2 Hot Dogs

November 25, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Flint Firebirds Take a Shot on Goal
Flint Firebirds Take a Shot on Goal
(Flint Firebirds)

The Flint Firebirds (10-10-1-1) host the Saginaw Spirit (8-13-1-1) Wednesday night for the fourth of eight games in the inaugural Coors Light I-75 Divide Cup Series. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. (ET) at the Dort Federal Event Center for the first college night of the season featuring $2 beers, $2 hot dogs and $2 off admission for college students with valid I.D.

In addition, the Firebirds are teaming up with C&L Ward and Catholic Charities to support the "Stuff the Van" charity drive beginning 25 days of giving leading up to Christmas. The Firebirds will be collecting non-perishable food items, toiletries and winter wear at the Dort Federal Event Center. Sponsored by The Hamo Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, Firebirds' fans can bring in three or more of these items to receive one free bronze level ticket to Wednesday's game.

The Firebirds are in third place in the West Division and currently lead the season series against the Spirit with a 2-1 record. Flint earned back-to-back wins in the first two games of the season after capturing the season opener in Saginaw 3-0 on Thursday, Sep. 24 and recording a 3-2 shootout win in Flint on Saturday, Sep. 26. However, the Spirit edged the Firebirds in the most recent contest in Saginaw, 5-3 on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

Tickets are $12 for bronze, $15 for silver and $19 for corporate/gold seating and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, by visiting the Dort Federal Event Center Box Office Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. or by phone at (810) 744-0580.

Radio & TV Coverage

Fans unable to attend Wednesday's game can listen live in Flint and Mid-Michigan on 1330 AM WTRX Sports Radio and around the world online on the iHeartRadio app. Dominic Hennig will call the play-by-play action on the Flint Firebirds Hockey Radio Network. Pregame coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday's game against the Spirit will be televised live across the province of Ontario on the OHL Action Pak on Rogers channel 463. OHL fans with Rogers Cable in Ontario can add the OHL Action Pak to their television plan to catch the Firebirds in action, home or away all season long. Along with Saturday afternoon's game, 64 of the Firebirds' 68 games throughout the 2015-16 season are also scheduled to be televised live across the province of Ontario on the OHL Action Pack.

All Flint Firebirds home and away games throughout the 2015-16 season can be watched anywhere in the world online on OHL Live and on the OHL Live App. OHL Live is a league video streaming platform that delivers high quality live and on-demand coverage of all regular season and playoff games annually. The cost is $6.99 per game, $69.99 for Flint Firebirds away games only, $179.99 for all 68 home and away Firebirds games and $279.99 for all 1,360 OHL games throughout the 2015-16 season.

Players to Watch:

Flint:

After recording a hat-trick on Sunday vs. Erie, Will Bitten leads the Firebirds with 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points in 22 games played this season and ranks 10th among all OHL skaters in points. Both Bitten and Ryan Moore have recorded points in seven of their previous eight games played.

Vili Saarijärvi (Detroit '15) leads all Firebirds on the blue line scoring four goals and adding 14 assists for a total of 18 points in 22 games played.

Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (Carolina '14) has a 6-5-1 record with a .903 save percentage and a 3.32 goals against average. After recording 40 saves on 45 shots in the 6-5 victory over Erie Sunday, rookie goaltender Kyle Keyser now holds a 2-2 record. Keyser has a .908 save percentage including a 3.29 goals against average.

There are five players on the Flint Firebirds roster that are drafted in the National Hockey League. Alex Nedeljkovic and Josh Wesley were both selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2014 NHL Draft. In the same draft, the New Jersey Devils nabbed Connor Chatham while Alex Peters was chosen by the Dallas Stars. Most recently, Vili Saarijärvi was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings this past June in the 2015 NHL Draft.

In addition, Will Bitten, Nicholas Caamano, Jacob Collins, MatyᚠKantner, Dane Johnstone, and Håkon Nilsen are eligible to be selected in the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo in June.

Saginaw:

The Saginaw Spirit travel to Flint winless in their last six games with a 8-13-1-1 record.

Dylan Sadowy (San Jose '14) leads the Spirit with 11 goals and 10 assists in 19 games this season. Artem Artemov has 7 goals and 10 assists in 22 games played this season with Saginaw.

In net, Saginaw's Evan Cormier holds a 6-8-1-1 record, a .886 save percentage and a 3.86 goals against average through 17 games this season.

NHL Central Scouting has identified Evan Cormier, Tye Felhaber, Keaton Middleton, and Markus Niemelainen as players to watching heading into the 2016 NHL Draft.

The Saginaw Spirit also saw five players attend NHL training camps this fall: Artem Artemov (New York Rangers), Marcus Crawford (Ottawa), Dylan Sadowy (San Jose), Mitchell Stephens (Tampa) and Chase Stewart (Arizona).

Special Teams

The Firebirds' power-play is 12th out of 20 teams in the OHL converting at a 17.2% success-rate scoring 15 goals on 87 opportunities. On the penalty kill, the Firebirds are currently 13th in the OHL, operating at 77.9%. Flint has scored two shorthanded goals and has successfully killed 74 of 95 penalties this season. Flint is ranked 11th in the league for penalty minutes per game with a 12.8 PIM/GM average.

Next Home Game

Following a three game road trip, the Firebirds return back to Flint on Dec. 4th for a Friday night game against the Saginaw Spirit. It's Teddy Bear Toss Night! Fans are encouraged to bring a teddy bear to the game or purchase one at the Dort Federal Event Center and when the Firebirds score their first goal, launch them onto the ice! The bears and their proceeds will benefit various local charities throughout Flint and Genesee County. In addition, compliments of Hap Insurance, all fans in attendance will also receive a free orange Flint Firebirds rally towel and there will be one Fitbit given away to a lucky fan in attendance each period.

Saarijärvi Tabbed as OHL Defenseman of the Month

Flint Firebirds 18 year-old blueliner Vili Saarijärvi was named the OHL Defenseman of the Month in November. The Detroit Red Wings prospect put together an outstanding first full month in the OHL, scoring two goals along with 9 assists for 11 points in 11 contests to go with a plus/minus rating of plus-9.

The Finnish rearguard registered points in seven of his 11 October appearances, scoring his first OHL goal as part of a two-goal effort against the Ottawa 67's on October 16th. Saarijärvi had three multi-point performances, including three assists against the Peterborough Petes on October 11th. Saarijärvi is currently tied for the lead in scoring among OHL defensemen with two goals, 14 assists and 16 points in 14 games.

Group Ticket Packages

Whether you're entertaining corporate clients, celebrating a special occasion, having a fun night out with the family and friends or rewarding employees...we have a fun, easy and affordable plan for you. It's more than a ticket, it's an experience! Contact Shane Stout to book your group outing today: (810) 742-2004 or via email at shane@flintfirebirds.com.

Flint Firebirds Hockey Radio Coach's Show

Join the Voice of the Firebirds Dominic Hennig and Head Coach John Gruden from 6-7 p.m. every Tuesday night on 1330 WTRX Sports Radio and around the world online on the iHeartRadio App here. Hennig and Gruden recap the previous week of events, preview the upcoming games on the ice and take your phone calls, emails and tweets! Tune in each Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. on 1330 AM WTRX Sports Radio.

Firebirds Gear

Stop by the Flint Firebirds Merchandise Store at the Dort Federal Event Center, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. to stock up on the best Firebirds' gear around. Jerseys, shirts, hats, hoodies, game pucks, mouse pads and other accessories and collectables are available at the Flint Firebirds Merchandise Store.

Social Media

Stay connected with the Flint Firebirds 24-7-365. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Vine, YouTube, etc. Find all of the Firebirds social media handles online at www.flintfirebirds.com/socialmedia.

Tweet Your Seat!

Follow the Flint Firebirds on Twitter @FlintFirebirds, take a selfie in your seat then "Tweet Your Seat" at each of this weekend's home games for a chance to win four NCG movie tickets, courtesy of Dort Federal Credit Union.

Check out the Flint Firebirds Statistics




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Flint Firebirds Take a Shot on Goal
Flint Firebirds Take a Shot on Goal
   

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