Firebirds Earn 3-1 Victory in Sudbury
December 9, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL) - Flint Firebirds News Release
Sudbury, Ont. - Cullen Mercer scored his second game-winning goal of the season, Everett Clark and Hunter Holmes tallied lamp-lighters and Connor Hicks made 27 saves as the Firebirds beat the Wolves 3-1 before more than 3,200 fans at the Sudbury Community Arena Friday.
The Firebirds got on the board first at the 13:28 mark of the opening frame after Hunter Holmes scored his fourth goal of the season off a rebound. Dennis Busby collected the puck in the Firebirds' zone and fed a pass to Holmes at center-ice who quickly fed it to Jack Phibbs. Phibbs took a shot from the top of the left-circle that was initially saved by Zack Bowman but Holmes promptly fired-in the rebound from the slot to earn Flint a 1-0 lead. Flint led in shots 12-4 after the first period.
After a scoreless second period, Cullen Mercer doubled the Firebirds lead with his fifth goal of the season, converting on a three-on-two opportunity. Busby deflected a pass deep in the Firebirds' zone from a Wolves' forward and Nicholas Caamano (Dallas Stars) found the loose pick, skating up the right-wing-side on a three-on-two. Caamano dropped a pass to the late man Mercer who cranked a one-timer that beat Bowman high-glove to make the score 2-0 with 10:42 remaining in the third period. Everett Clark sealed the game with his ninth goal of the season on an empty net with 1:06 remaining in the final frame, increasing Flint's lead to three goals.
Sudbury's Owen Gilhula scored his first OHL goal with 38 seconds remaining in the game off a redirection in the slot. A Firebird defender tried to clear the puck out of the zone but Conor Ali stopped the puck at the left-point and fired a shot that was deflected in the slot to Gilhula. Gilhula scored to put Sudbury on the goal but Flint would eventually win the contest 3-1.
The Firebirds outshot the Wolves 35-28. Flint was a perfect four-for-four on the penalty-kill and did not have a power-play opportunity in the game. Alex Peters earned first star honors after recording an assist and Busby collected third star after tallying two assists. Hicks stopped 27-of-28 shots.
The Firebirds play their fourth consecutive road game and third game in three nights Saturday in Barrie, Ont. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Barrie Molson Centre (capacity 4,195).
Saturday night's contest against the Colts 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 04f045a&mc_eid[UNIQID]) . Pregame coverage with Dominic Hennig will begin 35 minutes prior to puck drop at 7 p.m. Additionally, the game will be televised live in Barrie on channel 10 for Rogers TV cable subscribers and throughout the province of Ontario on the OHL Action Pak on channel 461 for Rogers TV cable subscribers and channel 492 for Cogeco TV subscribers. (Broadcast Information ]) ). Fans can also watch the game live online at www.ohllive.com (http://ohl.neulion.com/ohl/?mc_cidacf04f045a&mc_eid[UNIQID]) or on the OHL Live App.
Upcoming Home Games: The Firebirds next home game is Wednesday Dec. 28th at 7 p.m. against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Wednesday's game is College Night featuring $2 beers & $2 hot dogs for all fans in attendance. In addition, college student's with valid I.D. receive $2 off their tickets. Flint is then home again on Friday, Dec. 30th against the Saginaw Spirit for Star Wars Night also at 7 p.m.. Star Wars Night will feature a live jersey auction immediately following the game.
Single game tickets for the Flint Firebirds 2016-17 season are $12 for Bronze, $15 for Silver, $19 for Gold and $25 for VIP seating. Prices are unchanged from last season and all seats are reserved / assigned seating. Parking has been reduced to $5 dollars which is new this season. Fans can purchase tickets at the Dort Federal Event Center Box Office or online by clicking ticketmaster.com
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Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 9, 2016
- Firebirds Earn 3-1 Victory in Sudbury - Flint Firebirds
- Bracco's OT Winner Extends Streak, Seals 3-2 Victory over Frontenacs - Kitchener Rangers
- Prospects Hunter Jones and Nate McDonald Piling up Accomplishments - Peterborough Petes
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