Firebirds Capture I-75 Divide Cup for Second-Straight Year, Win 4-1 Sunday
Published on February 26, 2017 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release
Firebirds Capture I-75 Divide Cup for Second-Straight Year, Win 4-1 Sunday
(Flint Firebirds, Credit: Amanda Ray / Flint Firebirds Hockey Club)
Saginaw, Mich. - For the second consecutive season, the Flint Firebirds captured the Coors Light I-75 Divide Cup. Kole Sherwood scored twice and collected an assist, Maurizio Colella tallied two points and Connor Hicks made 21 saves on 22 shots as the Flint Firebirds earned a 4-1 victory over in-state rival Saginaw Spirit before more than 3,000 fans at the Dow Event Center Sunday afternoon. Flint improved their record to 5-2 over Saginaw this season and have won 10 of the 14 games played between the two clubs since the rivalry renewed in September 2015.
Ryan Moore opened the scoring for the Firebirds when he buried his 35th goal of the season after the puck caromed off his body in the slot and into the net. Kole Sherwood (Columbus Blue Jackets) fired a shot from the right face-off dot that Evan Cormier (New Jersey Devils) saved with his right-pad, but the puck banked-off Moore and into the goal at 6:54. Moore's goal earned him 16 lamp-lighters in the past 20 games.
Flint doubled its lead with 1:05 remaining in the first frame after Sherwood collected a pass from Nicholas Caamano (Dallas Stars) in the slot. Sherwood fired the puck past a sprawling Cormier while off-balance for his 30th goal of the season to put the Firebirds up 2-0. After scoring on the play, Sherwood has racked-up 40 points (17G, 23A) in his previous 20 contests.
Flint led 2-0 after the first period and were ahead in shots 15-11.
Cole Coskey scored the lone-goal for the Spirit 57 seconds into the second period after he redirected a point-shot from C.J. Garcia in the slot that beat Connor Hicks on the power-play.
The Firebirds responded 42 seconds later when Sherwood netted his second goal of the afternoon after he gloved-down a rebound in the slot and rifled a shot over the right shoulder of Cormier to earn Flint a 3-1 lead. Sherwood's goal was his third point of the afternoon and has now scored 10 times in six games against the Spirit this season.
Maurizio Colella increased Flint's lead when he netted his 15th goal of the season on the power-play after he cleaned-up C.J. Clarke's rebound in the slot at 14:05.
The Firebirds led 4-1 after 40 minutes of play, outshooting the Spirit 27-16. Neither team converted in the final frame of regulation leading to the Firebirds clinching the best-of-eight Coors Light I-75 Divide cup after defeating the Spirit five times in the first seven meetings. The final game between the two clubs is slated for Wednesday, Mar. 8 at the Dort Federal Event Center, where the the ceremonial presentation will be held prior to the game.
The Firebirds outshot the Spirit 44-22. Flint was one-for-nine on the power-play, while Saginaw scored once on five chances. Sherwood collected the first star after scoring twice and nothcing an assist. Colella earned second star honors after tallying two points. Hicks picked up his 17th victory, making 21 saves on 22 shots.
Next up for Flint, The Firebirds will travel to Sarnia to battle with the Sting this Wednesday, Mar. 1. Puck drop is slated for 7:05 p.m. at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena. Sarnia is holding on to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference standing's. The Firebirds have a three-point lead in 7th place and have played one less game than Sarnia.
Wednesday night's contest against the Sting can be heard live on 1330 AM WTRX Sports Radio in Flint & Mid-Michigan and around the world online on the Sports Xtra 1330 Radio app here. Pregame coverage with Dominic Hennig will begin 35 minutes prior to puck drop at 6:30 p.m. Additionally, the game will be televised live in Sarnia on channel 6 / 700 (HD) for Cogeco cable subscribers and province-wide throughout Ontario on the OHL Action Pak on channel 457 for Rogers TV cable subscribers and channel 488 for Cogeco TV subscribers (Broadcast Information). Fans can also watch the game live online at www.ohllive.com or on the OHL Live App.
Upcoming Home Games:
The Flint Firebirds return to the Dort Federal Event Center this Friday, Mar. 3 against the Sudbury Wolves and Saturday Mar. 4 against the Oshawa Generals. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. both nights.
Single game tickets for the Flint Firebirds 2016-17 season are $12 for Bronze, $15 for Silver, $19 for Gold and $25 for VIP seating. All seats are reserved / assigned seating. Parking has been reduced to $5 dollars which is new this season. Fans can purchase tickets at the Dort Federal Event Center Box Office or online by clicking ticketmaster.com.
Images from this story
 Firebirds Capture I-75 Divide Cup for Second-Straight Year, Win 4-1 Sunday (Amanda Ray / Flint Firebirds Hockey Club) |
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