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OHL Flint Firebirds

Birds Fly into Sarnia Seeking Fourth Straight Win

February 16, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


FLINT, Mich. - The playoff push is in full swing and the Firebirds appear to be heating up at just the right time. They've won three consecutive games for the first time all season, moving them back into the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference just one position ahead of the ninth-place Sarnia Sting. The Birds defeated the Sting in a shootout on home ice on Wednesday. The rivalry continues on Friday night in Sarnia to conclude the home-and-home series. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena.

LAST TIME OUT: On Wednesday night at the Dort Financial Center, the visiting Sarnia Sting jumped out to an early 2-0 lead through the first 20 minutes. Tristan Bertucci then scored in his return from a seven-game absence and Nolan Dann extended his point streak to eight games (6 G, 7 A) and tied the battle at two through 40 minutes. The Sting went ahead again 3-2 before Marko Stojkov netted the game-tying goal in his 100th OHL game, forcing overtime and an eventual shootout. Dann buried the puck five-hole in the second round, the only shooter to score, and Nathan Day stopped all three Sarnia attempts, elevating Flint to a 4-3 win and allowing them to leapfrog the Bees in the Western Conference and West Division standings. Day finished with 25 saves on 28 shots in addition to his three shootout saves.

SERIES HISTORY: Friday's game is the sixth of eight meetings between these clubs and the third of four to be played in Sarnia. Flint now holds a 3-2-0-0 record in the series this season and has won both road games thus far. Nolan Dann (2 G, 2 A) and Simon Slavicek (4 A) lead the Birds through the four meetings while the Bees are paced by Zach Filak (3 G, 4 A) and Daylen Moses (3 G, 2 A). The Birds' all-time record versus Sarnia stands at 34-25-2-0 and is 15-14-1-0 on the road in the series.

SCOUTING THE STING: (22-27-3-1, 4th West Division) -

Overage forward Marco Sikic leads the Sting in total points (44) and has the most assists (31) on the squad. Sophomore Tyson Doucette leads in goals with 18 and ranks second in total points with 32. Easton Wainwright sits third with nine tallies and 22 helpers.

Nick Surzycia has donned the pads in 40 games this season, picking up 13 wins. His goals-against average sits at 3.74 and he has an .879 save percentage. Rookie netminder Karsen Chartier has seven victories across 19 appearances and sports an .858 SV% with a GAA of 4.04.

The Sting rank 18th on the power play, scoring at a 16.3% clip with the man advantage. They're killing off 74.7% of their penalties which ranks 17th.

SCOUTING THE FIREBIRDS: (22-25-3-1, 3rd West Division) -

Oliver Peer paces the Firebirds in scoring with the most goals (30), assists (33), and total points (63) this season. Fellow overager Nolan Dann has jumped into the second spot with 21 tallies and 29 helpers for 50 points. He also now has points in 20 of his last 21 games. Coulson Pitre is third with 22 goals and 23 assists for 45 points, followed by Slavicek with 33 points (10 G, 23 A).

Nathan Day is credited with 19 wins through 43 appearances between the pipes. His goals-against average is 3.86 and his save percentage is .862. Jacob Brown now has a 4.43 GAA and an .846 SV% with three wins in 11 games.

The Firebirds rank 16th on the power play with a 17.6% rate of success, but that number improves to tenth at 19.8% in road games. Their penalty kill ranks 14th overall at 77.8% but is ranked fourth-best on the road at 84.2%.

ODDS & ENDS: The Firebirds have won three in a row for the first time this season and have four consecutive road victories... Of the remaining 17 regular-season games, the Firebirds will play 11 home and six on the road. Three of the remaining contests are against the Sting and another four are against Windsor, who currently sit ten points behind the Birds in the West Division... The Firebirds are 16-11-1-0 in away games this year while Sarnia's gone 11-15-1-0 at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena.

BROADCAST COVERAGE: This evening's game against the Sarnia Sting can be heard live on the radio throughout Flint & Mid Michigan on US 103.1 FM, online at www.us103.com, or by downloading the US 103 app. Brian Gardner will call the play-by-play action on the Firebirds Hockey Network starting with the pregame show at 6:45 p.m.

All of the Flint Firebirds home and away games throughout the 2023-24 season can be watched anywhere in the world online at https://watch.chl.ca/ohl.

COMING UP: Flint returns to the Dort Financial Center on Saturday for Nickelodeon Spongebob Squarepants Night, sponsored by Shea Automotive. The Firebirds will wear specialty Spongebob Squarepants inspired jerseys during the game, which will be auctioned off immediately following the game to benefit the Flint Firebirds Foundation. More details are available on flintfirebirds.com and tickets are available from ETIX.COM.

Check out the Flint Firebirds Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2024


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