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OHL Flint Firebirds

Cranley Shuts the Door as Firebirds Defeat Bulldogs 5-1

January 26, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Hamilton, Ont. - The Firebirds faced the Bulldogs in Hamilton for the first time in nearly three years on Thursday. Will Cranley backstopped the Birds, posting 25 saves on 26 shots to earn his 15th win of the season and 50th win of his OHL career. Amadeus Lombardi scored twice plus added an assist for a three-point night. The Mississauga-natives Riley Piercey (1 G, 1 A) and Marko Stojkov (2 A) contributed two points each, and Braeden Kressler extended his point streak to six games (2 G, 6 A) with a helper. Matteo Drobac defended the Bulldogs' goal, making 32 saves on 37 shots faced.

The Bulldogs came out with physicality and energy as though they were seeking retribution for a recent loss to the Firebirds. With momentum quickly tilting in their favor, Hamilton lit the lamp less than one minute into the contest. Jorian Donovan fed former Firebirds' forward Sahil Panwar in the neutral zone, and he carried up the left-wing side to the half-wall. From there Panwar fed the slot, where linemate Patrick Thomas had to spin backward to receive the pass before spinning forward again and lifting the puck over Cranley's outstretched right pad. The goal was Thomas' 14th of the campaign, logged 0:55 into the first period.

The Firebirds potted the equalizer off an offensive zone faceoff win with 1:32 remaining in the first period. Amadeus Lombardi won the draw in the right circle, where Riley Piercey attempted a quick shot on goal. Drobac made the save, kicking the rebound back toward the right circle. Zacharie Giroux grabbed the rebound and carried it across the top of the goal crease before slipping the puck back to Lombardi for the back-door tap-in. The goal was Lombardi's 26th of the season, with assists going to both Giroux and Piercey.

Neither club took a penalty in the opening 20 minutes. Flint outshot the Bulldogs 12-11 while outdrawing them 10-5 in the first.

The second period was all Firebirds, with the visitors netting three unanswered in the frame. First, it was Simon Slavicek blocking a shot at the point while shorthanded. He skated right up the center of the zone on a breakaway. He roofed the puck blocker-side for his sixth of the year at 7:45. Next, it was Riley Piercy scoring his 13th in front of his hometown fans at 8:52 after we picked up a puck at the top of the circle and sent home a seeing-eye goal glove side. Marko Stojkov and Lombardi combined for the assists on the play. Finally, Nolan Dann unleashed a howitzer from the faceoff dot that not only beat the netminder but also carried through the goal netting and out. The officials reviewed the goal but confirmed that it was valid, resulting in the Birds leading 4-1 through 40 minutes. Gavin Hayes and Braeden Kressler picked up the helpers on Dann's tally.

Shots in the middle stanza ended at 14-10 in favor of Flint. Hamilton won nine of 15 faceoffs in period two. Both clubs finished 0-for-1 with the man advantage in the frame.

The third period featured plenty of scoring opportunities but only one score change, which happened at 14:21. Marko Stojkov rifled a cross-ice pass from the right side to Lombardi in the left circle. From a wide angle, Lombardi slapped a shot off the back of the goaltender and in for his second of the night, assisted by Stojkov and Dmitry Kuzmin.

The Birds outshot the Dogs 37-26 in the contest while outdrawing them by one, 25-24. Flint went scoreless on three power-play opportunities while holding Hamilton scoreless on one chance.

Up Next: The Firebirds will visit the Steelheads in Mississauga on Friday before returning home Saturday evening to host the Barrie Colts. More than 3,000 fans have attended each of the last four Saturday-night home games. Puck drop for this Saturday's contest is set for 7:00 p.m.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 26, 2023


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