OHL Flint Firebirds

Firebirds Allow Three Late Goals, Fall in Saginaw, 5-3

Published on December 14, 2023 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


SAGINAW, Mich. - Marko Stojkov and Matthew Jenken each scored a goal and picked up an assist and Kaden Pitre had a pair of assists, but the Saginaw Spirit scored three goals in the third period and went on to beat the Flint Firebirds, 5-3, on Thursday night at the Dow Event Center. Saginaw claimed the Coors Light I-75 Divide Cup with the victory.

With the Firebirds trailing, 2-0, at the outset of the second period, they quickly tied the game thanks to a pair of power play goals. The first was scored during a 4-on-3-man advantage as Stojkov passed from the center point to Pitre to his left. Pitre returned the pass and Stojkov unleashed a howitzer that sailed high past the glove of Andrew Oke to put the Birds on the board.

Less than a minute later, with Flint skating with a 5-on-4 power play, Pitre fed Jenken along the right-wing half-boards. Jenken strode and flicked a shot that sailed through traffic and snuck through Oke. His first goal of the season evened the score at 2-2.

The Firebirds claimed their first lead of the night with under six minutes to play in period two. Stojkov launched a saucer pass from the left-wing wall to Martin at the bottom of the opposite circle. Martin settled the puck and spun with it, lifting it just over Oke's right shoulder and in for a 3-2 advantage.

Flint held that lead until there were less than four minutes to play in the third period. First, Saginaw tied the game as Dean Loukus sprinted around a defender along the left-wing wall. He carried the puck to the left side of the crease and flicked a wrist shot high over Nathan Day's blocker, evening the score. Then, 52 seconds later, Calem Mangone wristed a shot from atop the left circle that found net high on the blocker side, giving Saginaw a 4-3 lead with 3:01 to play.

The Firebirds called Day to the bench for an extra attacker in the final minutes but it was Saginaw who cashed in. Minnesota Wild prospect Hunter Haight lifted the puck out of harm's way from his defensive end and pushed it to the neutral zone. He sailed a wrist shot that hit the empty net with only five seconds remaining, pushing the score to its 5-3 final.

The Spirit took their early lead with a pair of first period goals. First, Liam Storch fed PJ Forgione for a one-timer that got through Day. Then, Alex Christopoulos cashed in on a breakaway to make it 2-0.

Flint scored twice on four power-play chances against the league's number-one ranked penalty kill while holding the league's best power-play unit scoreless on four opportunities. With the win, Saginaw secured the I-75 Divide Cup for the fifth time while improving to 18-9-0-1 on the season. The Firebirds dropped to 13-14-2-1 in the loss.

The Firebirds are home for a pair of games on Friday and Saturday this weekend. First up are the Sudbury Wolves on Friday before the Sarnia Sting invade on Saturday. Puck drop for both games is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Dort Financial Center.

Check out the Flint Firebirds Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 14, 2023


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