Crucial Points on the Line in Kitchener on Friday Night
Published on March 8, 2024 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release
KITCHENER, Ont. - The Firebirds continue their postseason push on the road in Kitchener on Friday night. They've won eight of their last 12 and held the opposition to three or fewer goals ten times in that span. Flint has also won six of its last seven road games and currently holds the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Rangers are winners of three straight and rank fourth in the Western Conference. Puck drop for is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.
LAST TIME OUT: On Wednesday the Firebirds defeated the in-state rivals the Saginaw Spirit, 3-2 at the Dort Financial Center. While Saginaw moved into a tie for first place in the Western Conference with the single point earned, Flint pulled itself within four points of Guelph in fifth, three points of Erie in sixth, and just two points back of Owen Sound in seventh. Former Spirit defenseman Roberto Mancini scored twice in regulation, the second of which forced the overtime. Simon Slavicek danced his way to the slot for the overtime winner, leaving a defender in the dust with only 26 seconds left. Nathan Day made 41 saves on 43 shots between the pipes, the most saves a Firebirds goaltender has made in a game this season.
SERIES HISTORY: Friday is the final meeting between these clubs in the regular season and is the second of two at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. The Birds have gone 1-2-0-0 in the first three games, having won 5-3 in Kitchener on December 29. Coulson Pitre was the game's first star with a goal and two assists, Nolan Dann was named the second star with a pair of goals, and Tristan Bertucci picked up two helpers while Nathan Day made 23 saves on 26 shots in the win. The Firebirds are 10-4-1-0 all-time on the road against the Rangers and hve an overall mark of 16-14-2-0 in the series.
SCOUTING THE RANGERS: (39-20-2-0, 2nd Midwest Division) -
Seattle Kraken prospect Carson Rehkopf leads the Rangers and the entire OHL in several offensive categories. His 50 goals rank first, as do his 15 power-play tallies and his ten game-winners. With 88 total points, he sits fourth in the league. Defenseman Hunter Brzustewicz hails from nearby Washington, Mich., and is a Calgary Flames prospect. He leads the OHL with 74 assists this season and is tied for the sixth-most points with 86. Kitchener native and overage forward Matthew Sop is second on the team in goals (39) and third in points (83).
Third-year netminder Jackson Parsons has 26 wins including four shutouts through 46 appearances this season. His goals-against average is 2.94 and he holds an .898 save percentage. Sophomore Tristan Malboeuf carries a 3.40 GAA and an .871 SV% with 13 victories through 20 appearances.
On special teams, Kitchener ranks in the top six in both categories. Their power play is ranked sixth with a 23.0% conversion rate. When shorthanded, the Rangers are finding success 82.4% of the time which is good for fourth.
SCOUTING THE FIREBIRDS: (27-29-3-1, 3rd West Division):
Oliver Peer leads the Birds in goals (32), assists (37), and point total (69). Nolan Dann sits second with 24 goals and 33 helpers for 57 points. Anaheim Ducks prospect Coulson Pitre is third on the scoresheet with 26 tallies and 24 helpers for an even 50 points. Ranking fourth and riding a four-game point streak (3 G, 3 A) is Wednesday's overtime winner Simon Slavicek with 42 points (14 G, 28 A).
Edmonton Oilers prospect Nathan Day leads the tandem of goaltenders with 23 wins in 49 appearances. His goals-against average is 3.72 and his save percentage sits at .868. Rookie Jacob Brown has four wins through 14 appearances and carries a 4.10 GAA with a save percentage of .861.
On special teams, Flint has the OHL's tenth-ranked road power play (20.3%) and sixth-best penalty kill (83.5%) in away contests.
ODDS & ENDS: Flint has put together the fourth-best win percentage on the road in the Western Conference with a .597... Connor Clattenburg and Simon Slavicek are each on a four-game point streak with three goals and three assists apiece in that span... Kitchener defenseman Matthew Andonovski leads the OHL in plus/minus rating at +54 and paces the league in penalty minutes with 111 to date.
BROADCAST COVERAGE: This evening's game against the Kitchener Rangers 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: The Firebirds return home on Saturday to host Kingston at the Dort Financial Center. The contest is Flint's annual S.T.E.A.M. Night, with relevant activities around the concourse focused on the S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) initiative. With their most recent report card, all students who've received an 'A' in Art, Math, or Science are eligible to receive a FREE ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket at the Box Office window. Puck drop for Saturday's game is set for 7:00 p.m. and tickets are available now from ETIX.com.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 8, 2024
- Luke Ellinas Dominates in 9-5 Win Over Flint - Kitchener Rangers
- Christopoulos Nets Hatty as Spirit Defeat Frontenacs, 7-2 - Saginaw Spirit
- Dann's Hat Trick Overshadowed in 9-5 Loss to Rangers - Flint Firebirds
- Spitfires Fall in OT in Sudbury 9-8 After Wild Affair - Windsor Spitfires
- Crucial Points on the Line in Kitchener on Friday Night - Flint Firebirds
- Spirit Begin March Home Schedule with Kingston Friday Night - Saginaw Spirit
- Rangers Host Firebirds for International Women's Day Game on Friday - Kitchener Rangers
- Celebrating the Women Who Drive the Bulldogs Forward - Brantford Bulldogs
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