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OHL Flint Firebirds

Firebirds and Knights Set for Game 2 on Easter Sunday

March 31, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


LONDON, Ont. - On Friday, the Firebirds suffered a 3-0 defeat in front of more than 9,000 fans in Game 1 at Budweiser Gardens. Now, they set their sites on leaving Ontario with the series evened at one. Then, they'll return to Flint for a pair of games Tuesday and Thursday at the Dort Financial Center. But first, these clubs have a matinee battle on Easter Sunday, with puck drop set for 2:00 p.m.

GAME 1 WOES: The Firebirds came out with an in-your-face style of play to start the first playoff game, with the Knights on their heels for the first few minutes. London was quickly able to match Flint's pace though and found the back of the net in the fourth minute. From there, it was a high-tempo physical battle that saw even shot and scoring opportunities for both sides. The Knights, however, showed why they allowed the fewest goals against (197) during the regular season, and Michael Simpson showed why he was the OHL's top netminder with a 23-save shutout. Kaleb Lawrence scored twice, and Easton Cowan sealed the victory with an empty-netter. Nathan Day had a strong outing in Flint's net, turning aside 17 of the 19 shots he faced.

SEASON SERIES: The Firebirds and Knights played four times during the regular season, and London won three of the four. Flint took the first game of the series, 7-4, on November 17 in London. Coulson Pitre had a hat trick during that win and led the Firebirds with four goals and three assists in the four games against the Knights. The Firebirds and Knights last played on March 2 at the Dort Financial Center. Flint is 9-20-1-2 all-time against London, including a 5-10-0-1 mark at Budweiser Gardens. This is the first time the Firebirds and Knights have met in the postseason.

NHL TALENT ROSTER: London's roster features ten players, seven forwards, and three defensemen, who have been drafted or signed by NHL teams. Two players were taken in the first round of the NHL Draft; Easton Cowan (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Oliver Bonk (Philadelphia Flyers) were each drafted in the first round in 2023. Flint has three NHL drafted players on its roster; Coulson Pitre (Anaheim Ducks), Tristan Bertucci (Dallas Stars) and Nathan Day (Edmonton Oilers).

PLAYOFF HISTORY: The Firebirds have made the playoffs three straight seasons and four total times. They made it to Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals in 2022 before falling to the Saginaw Spirit in the seventh game of the opening round in 2023. London won the J. Ross Robertson Cup as the OHL Champions in 2005, 2012, 2013, and 2016 and went on to win the Memorial Cup in both 2005 and 2016.

REGULAR SEASON CHAMPS: London won the Hamilton Spectator Trophy this year by finishing with the OHL's best regular season record, the seventh time in franchise history they have done so. Goaltenders Michael Simpson and Owen Willmore also received the Dave Pinkney Trophy for allowing the lowest number of goals against.

ODDS AND ENDS: The Knights had the second-highest goals for (4.74) and lowest goals against (2.90) per game in the OHL in the regular season...Michael Simpson led the league in GAA (2.61) and was tied for third in save percentage (.905)...Nathan Day was fourth in the OHL in minutes played (3,124)...including the regular season, Flint has now been shut out in three of its last four games. The Firebirds were shut out only once in their first 65 games.

BROADCAST COVERAGE: Sunday's game 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 1:45 p.m.

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

UP NEXT: The Firebirds will return to Flint for back-to-back home games next week. Game 3 is Tuesday, and Game 4 is Thursday, both at the Dort Financial Center. Puck drop for both contests is set for 7:00 p.m.

Check out the Flint Firebirds Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 31, 2024


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