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Soo Greyhounds

Firebirds Stop Hounds in Home-And-Home Opener

February 24, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Soo Greyhounds News Release


When looking at the numbers, the Soo Greyhounds were twenty-two points ahead of Flint Firebirds in the Western Conference standings heading into Wednesday Night. But when you look deeper, you don't have to go far to find how close the season series has been so far this season.

On a night when the Soo Greyhounds had the opportunity to mathematically clinch a post-season berth, it was Flint who would outscore the Hounds including three goals in the third period to skate out of Sault Ste. Marie with two very valuable points.

"Obviously when you lose a hockey game like that, and the way the opportunities and chances we gave up away from the puck are disappointing. As a group, as a whole, we didn't come to play and the effort wasn't there from the goaltending all the way out" started Hounds Head Coach Drew Bannister when asked his thoughts post-game.

"The first three goals we left our goalie out to hang, the 4th goal I'm sure Joseph would like back but there were a lot of issues before that goal ended up in the net" he added.

While both teams traded chances in the first period, JOSEPH RAAYMAKERS was tested significantly in close on Firebird attempts by Nicholas Caamano early and Ryan Moore later in the period as part of the twelve opposition shots.

Both teams skated scoreless through the opening twenty minutes.

Under five minutes into the second period Will Bitten was sent a slick feed up ice that sent the Firebirds leading scorer in alone and his shot to the glove hand side would open the scoring at 4:10.

Seconds later (4:52) the Hounds pulled even as TIM GETTINGER got a stick on a MEDRIC MERCIER low point shot and redirected it high over Kyle Keyser to tie the game at one.

MERCIER and fellow rearguard, COLTON WHITE, picked up the assists.

Quickly thereafter BOBBY MACINTYRE created a turnover inside the Hounds end of the ice, sped up ice gaining a step on the Flint defence but would be denied on the chance at puling the Hounds ahead.

Then on the second of their three powerplay chances in the period, the Hounds would take their first and only lead of the game.

ZACH SENYSHYN's diving effort kept the puck inside the Flint zone and depper to MORGAN FROST who moved the puck from the right to left of the goal where BORIS KATCHOUK wasted little time netting his 22nd of the season and giving the Hounds the 2-1 lead.

Will Bitten failed on a breakaway with less than five minutes to play before Cullen Mercer connected on a 3-on-1 to send the two teams into the second intermission tied at two (2-2).

Unable to take advantage on the 1:09 of a powerplay that carried over to the third period, left the Hounds unable to pull ahead for the second time of the night.

Flint would cash in on their third goal when Stephan Seeger was alone at the left of the goal and backhanded home the 3-2 Flint lead at the 6:13 mark.

JACK KOPACKA pulled the home side even again, this time at 12:04 by finishing off a three-way passing play with MORGAN FROST and BOBBY MACINTYRE to tie the game again, now 3-3.

But in the final six minutes of the game, the Firebirds would score twice more before skating to their first win of the season against the Hounds.

Mathieu Henderson showed patience in front before sliding the puck past RAAYMAKERS at 13:11 and then with under a minute to play Luke Kirwan's shot off the left wing went low and through for the two goal victory.

"I thought he made a lot of great saves. He kept us in" said Bannister of his netminder.

Flint bettered the Hounds by a score of 5 to 3.

The loss dropped the Hounds to 27-22-7-1 on the season.

"No, we came into a game and our focus where it needed to be, our awareness wasn't where it needed to be. As for taking them too lightly, they've been warned, that's a good hockey club. They beat Sarnia, they play hard, all the games are close. You'd have to ask them (Hounds players) if they took them lightly, I didn't" said Bannister when asked if the Hounds took the Firebirds lightly.

ATTENDANCE - 4,286

RED STAR THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1-Morgan Frost, SSM

2-Mathieu Henderson, FL

3-Vili Saarijarvi, FL

UP NEXT;

These same two teams (Hounds/Firebirds) conclude their home-and-home series this coming FRIDAY NIGHT - February 26th at the Dort Federal Event Center in Flint, Michigan.

Opening face-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

Fans can hear all the action beginning with the Bay Mills Resort & Casino's pre-game show on Rock 101 (101.3 FM, www.rock101.net) beginning at 7;00 p.m.

This game will also be simulcast on Oldies 93 (93.9 FM)

Check out the Soo Greyhounds Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 24, 2016


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