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OHL Flint Firebirds

Firebirds Best Sting in a Shootout, 4-3

February 14, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


FLINT, Mich. - Tristan Bertucci scored in his return from a seven-game absence and Marko Stojkov netted the game-tying goal in his 100th OHL game as the Flint Firebirds erased a two-goal deficit and came from behind to beat the Sarnia Sting in a shootout, 4-3, on Wednesday night at the Dort Financial Center.

With the Firebirds trailing 3-2 in the third period and operating on the tail end of a power play opportunity, Stojkov took a pass at the right wing and skated toward the point. He found a shooting lane and flicked a wrist shot that darted through traffic toward a screened Nick Surzycia. Stojkov's shot sailed through and found twine over Surzycia's right shoulder to tie the game at three and eventually force overtime.

Following a scoreless overtime that featured several high-quality scoring chances, the game transitioned to a shootout to decide the winner. Nathan Day stopped Sarnia's first two attempts which summoned Nolan Dann in the second round for Flint. Dann carried the puck in, waited for Surzycia to commit and fired a wrist shot between his legs to give the Firebirds the edge through two rounds.

That brought up Kai Schwindt who needed to score to keep the Sting alive. He weaved wide down the left wing, cut towards the net and deked to his backhand but Day tracked it the entire way. He made his third save on as many attempts and cemented Flint's 4-3 shootout win.

Flint improved to 1-1 in shootouts for the season and extended its winning streak to three games, its longest of the season.

The Sting opened the scoring with two quick goals in the first ten minutes of the contest. First, the Firebirds turned the puck over in their own zone and Sarnia's quick passing led to Zach Filak finishing in front of the net. Five minutes later, the puck trickled free from a scrum behind Day's right shoulder and made its way toward the left faceoff dot. Carson Hall gathered the loose puck, spun and wristed it off the inside of Day's pad and in to make it 2-0.

Bertucci put the Birds on the board just over a minute later. He skated with the puck at the blue line and snapped a wrist shot through heavy traffic. It navigated that traffic and beat Surzycia low on the blocker side to put the Firebirds on the board.

Flint then tied the game in the second period when Gavin Ewles raced across the top of the zone and held a puck in at the right point. He wound and fired on net, and Dann deflected it through Surzycia's five-hole to tie the game at two.

The Sting took their 3-2 lead when Nathan Omeri sent a wrist shot on goal from the right point. Day stopped that shot but it caromed to Daylen Moses who pounced on the loose puck in front of the net. He snapped it into the waiting net and Sarnia was back on top.

Day finished with 25 saves on 28 shots and went 3-for-3 in the shootout, Dann's goal means he has points in 20 of his last 21 games and Ewles finished with two assists.

Flint improved to 22-25-3-1 in the shootout win while the Sting moved to 22-27-3-1. The two teams will meet again on Friday night in Sarnia. Puck drop at Progressive Auto Sales Arena is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Story: Brandon Mills // flintfirebirds.com

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