Ewles, Firebirds Force OT But Fall to 67's, 3-2
Published on February 3, 2024 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release
Category: ArticleFebruary 3, 2024
FLINT, Mich. -Gavin Ewles scored his first goal of the season to force overtime and Nolan Dann had a goal and an assist to give him points in 15 of his past 17 games but the Luca Pinelli netted the game-winner in OT as the Ottawa 67's held off the Firebirds, 3-2, on Saturday night at the Dort Financial Center
With the Birds trailing 2-1 and less than a minute to play in regulation, Flint pulled Nathan Day for an extra attacker as it gained the zone. The Firebirds set up in the zone worked the puck around the perimeter while setting up a screen in front of Ottawa goaltender Ian Michelone. Dann eventually fed Ewles at the point for a wrist shot that sailed through the screen and went in high on the blocker side to tie the game with just 49 seconds remaining.
Ottawa made quick work of overtime though as it won the opening faceoff and brought the puck back to its own zone. Samuel Mayer sent a stretch pass to Pinelli who burst through center ice and pulled away from his defender. As he barreled in on net, he faked a backhand shot before snapping the puck on his forehand low past Nathan Day's blocker to seal Ottawa's road win just 17 seconds into the extra frame.
Ottawa scored the lone goal of the opening frame. Bradley Horner took an initial shot from a wide angle at the bottom of the left-wing circle. Day made the save but the rebound went to Chase Yanni in front of the net. He jammed it home for his first career OHL goal and Ottawa took a 1-0 lead.
The 67's extended the lead to 2-0 less than five minutes into the middle frame with a shorthanded goal. Former Firebird Braeden Kressler sped down the right wing and created a two-on-one opportunity. He drew the defender before passing to the trailing Pinelli on the far side Pinelli stepped into a one-timer that found twine on the blocker side, pushing the lead to two.
With less than three minutes on the second-period clock, Matthew Jenken made a long-range breakout pass from his defensive end to Nolan Dann who burst into the offensive zone. With a defender in tow, he wristed a low shot from the left faceoff dot that beat Ian Michelone on the far side to pull Flint within one, 2-1.
Dann now has points in 16 of his last 17 games and goals in three of the past four, Ewles goal was his first as a Firebird and his first of the season and Nathan Day posted 23 saves on 26 shots in his second of back-to-back starts this weekend.
Flint moved to 19-24-3-1 in the overtime loss while Ottawa improved to 24-17-4-1. The Birds will return to home ice on Wednesday to host the London Knights. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Dort Financial Center.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2024
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- Sapovaliv Nets OT Winner, Parekh Makes Spirit History Saturday Against Colts - Saginaw Spirit
- Romani's 40th Halts Bulldogs' Comeback in 6-4 Defeat - Brantford Bulldogs
- Ewles, Firebirds Force OT But Fall to 67's, 3-2 - Flint Firebirds
- Firebirds Seek Bounce Back Effort on Saturday against Ottawa - Flint Firebirds
- Rangers Travel to Erie for the Second Time this Season on Saturday Night - Kitchener Rangers
- Spirit Host Colts Saturday Night - Saginaw Spirit
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