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Flint Firebirds

Firebirds' Comeback Falls Short, Greyhounds Take Game One Thursday

March 23, 2017 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. - Firebirds' defenseman Mathieu Henderson and Alex Peters scored the lone goals for the Flint Firebirds 22 seconds apart from each other in the final minute of the second period but the Greyhounds pulled out a 5-2 victory before more than 3,300 fans at the Essar Centre on Thursday night.

Flint's Connor Hicks started the contest denying Zach Senyshyn (Boston Bruins) on a breakaway. However, Hayden Verbeek opened the scoring for the Greyhounds after he redirected Anthony DeMeo's shot from the left-circle, beating Hicks glove-side for his first tally of the playoffs at 10:34 of the first frame.

Sault Ste. Marie doubled their lead when Jack Kopacka (Anaheim Ducks) rifled a wrist-shot from the left-circle that beat Hicks over his right shoulder, earning the Greyhounds a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.

Verbeek added the third goal for the Greyhounds after his centering attempt caromed off Jalen Smereck (Arizona Coyotes) in front of the net. The puck slid between the pads of Hicks for his second goal of the night at 8:25.

The Firebirds cut the deficit to two goals after Mathieu Henderson tallied his first goal of the playoffs on the power-play. Henderson one-timed Kole Sherwood's (Columbus Blue Jackets) pass from the point, beating Matthew Villalta blocker-side with 49 seconds left in the middle period.

Alex Peters brought the game within one after he scored 22 seconds later from the slot. Peters rifled a wrist-shot that bounced off the glove of Villalta and into the net with 27 seconds remaining in the second period. The Greyhounds led 3-2 after two periods of play.

Sault Ste. Marie regained their two-goal lead after Boris Katchouk (Tampa Bay Lightning) fed a pass to Colton White (New Jersey Devils) at the left-circle. White returned the pass back to Katchouk backdoor who fired the puck into the open net at 7:29 of the third period.

Blake Speers (New Jersey Devils) sealed the game for the Greyhounds scoring an empty net goal with 1:52 remaining in the contest. Sault Ste. Marie won the contest 5-2 to earn a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven playoff series.

The Greyhounds outshot the Firebirds 37-21. Flint scored once on three power-play chances and were a perfect four-for-four on the penalty kill. Hicks made 32 saves on 36 shots.

Game two of the best-of-seven series will take place this Saturday night, Mar. 25. Puck drop is set for 7:07 p.m. at the Essar Centre in Sault Ste. Marie. Saturday evening's contest against the Greyhounds can be heard live on 1330 AM WTRX Sports Radio in Flint & Mid-Michigan and around the world online on the Sports Xtra 1330 Radio app here. Pregame coverage with Dominic Hennig will begin 37 minutes prior to puck drop at 6:30 p.m. Additionally, the game will be televised live in Sault Ste. Marie on channel 10 for Shaw TV cable subscribers and province-wide throughout Ontario on the OHL Action Pak on channel 444 for Rogers TV and Cogeco TV cable subscribers. Fans can also watch the game live online at www.ohllive.com or on the OHL Live App.

Upcoming Home Playoff Games:

The Firebirds will host game three on Monday, Mar. 27 and game four on Wednesday, Mar. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Dort Federal Event Center. If necessary, game six will be played on Sunday Apr. 2 at 4 p.m. (Buy Tickets Online Here)

Flint Firebirds 2017 'Three-Game Playoff Packages' and individual game tickets are on sale now! Come #CatchTheFire as the Flint Firebirds make their first run in the OHL Playoffs. Flint Firebirds home playoff games will feature $2 beers and $2 hot dogs for all fans in attendance. Season ticket holders that purchase a three-game playoff package will receive free parking and a complimentary limited edition playoff t-shirt. Three game playoff packages start as low as $42.

Check out the Flint Firebirds Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 23, 2017


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