NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



 Flint Firebirds

Firebirds Fly by CHL's Fourth-Ranked Spitfires, Win 4-1

October 22, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Firebirds Fly by CHL's Fourth-Ranked Spitfires, Win 4-1
Firebirds Fly by CHL's Fourth-Ranked Spitfires, Win 4-1
(Flint Firebirds, Credit: Amanda Ray/Flint Firebirds Hockey Club)

Flint, Mich. - Luke Kirwan scored the game-winning goal and Everett Clark and Hunter Holmes added single tallies as the Flint Firebirds beat the CHL's fourth-ranked Windsor Spitfires 4-1 for their second straight win this weekend, improving to 6-1-0-0 on home-ice this season.

Firebirds' goaltender Garrett Forrest was solid in net as he stopped all but one of the Spitfires' 24 shots. Flint out-shot Windsor 37-24.

Gabriel Vilardi, scored the lone goal for Windsor. Michael DiPietro, played well for the Spitfires in net as he turned aside 33 of 35 shots.

The Firebirds were all over the Spitfires from the get go, as they out played and out shot Windsor in the opening frame by an 11-5 margin. DiPietro, was razor sharp turning away shots from every angle to frustrate the home team. The second-year netminder came into the game with the second best goals against average at 2.13 and was third in the OHL in save percentage with a .924 mark.

Despite only three minor penalties called in the first period the Spitfires did manage to score their only goal with the man-advantage. The tally came in the final minute of play at 19:25 as Vilardi scored his seventh of the season from Jeremiah Addison and Julius Nattinen.

Flint scored twice in the second period and skated into the intermission with a 2-1 lead.

Clark tied the game, scoring his fourth of the year at 9:31. Mathieu Henderson drew the lone assist. Kirwan scored what proved to be the winning goal, as he netted a power play marker at 12:55. Ryan Moore and Kole Sherwood were credited with the assists. Flint out-shot Windsor for a second consecutive period, 16-9.

The third period saw quite a few scoring chances from Windsor as they looked to tie the game but Forrest was up to the task as he continued his fine play.

Flint put the game away late in the final stanza thanks to the Spitfires' newly acquired defensemen Sean Day, who seemed to lose control of the puck as he skated in his own end with an open net, after Windsor had pulled their goaltender with two minutes to play. As Day went to retrieve the puck it bounced off his stick and into the net. Kirwan was closest to the puck and got credit for the goal which came at 18:21.

The Firebirds added a second open net goal when Hunter Holmes scored his first OHL goal 13 seconds later as Flint celebrated a victory, winning for the second straight night following an exciting 4-3 overtime win in Sault Ste. Marie the night before.

Kirwan was selected as the first star, Forrest, the second star and Holmes made it a complete sweep as he was named the third star.

The Firebirds are home tomorrow, Sunday, Oct. 23 against the Kingston Frontenacs at 4 p.m. (ET). Spend this Sunday afternoon trick-or-treating in a fun, safe and dry environment with the Flint Firebirds Hockey Club as special Halloween festivities are slated for the contest.

There will be several fun promotions on tap for the Flint Firebirds game vs. the Frontenacs. Adults and kids are encouraged to dress up for the costume contest and on-ice costume parade, there will be trick-or-treating throughout the arena, a Scooby Doo Bounce House and other fun promotions will take place during the duration of the game. Children (12 and under) that are wearing a costume will receive free admission to the game if accompanied by a paying adult. (Limited to one child ticket per adult)

Sunday is also Dort Federal Credit Union Family Day. The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive free thunderstix in addition to a bounce house, balloon twisters and face painters.

Along with the three Firebirds that have NHL ties to come watch, Kingston has four players that have been drafted in the NHL on their roster consisting of Lawson Crouse (Arizona Coyotes), Stephen Desrocher (Toronto Maple Leafs), Warren Foegele (Carolina Hurricanes) and Jeremy Helvig (Carolina Hurricanes).





Images from this story

Firebirds Fly by CHL's Fourth-Ranked Spitfires, Win 4-1
Firebirds Fly by CHL's Fourth-Ranked Spitfires, Win 4-1

(Amanda Ray/Flint Firebirds Hockey Club)
  

• Discuss this story on the Ontario Hockey League message board...

Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 22, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Flint Firebirds Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central