OHL Flint Firebirds

Firebirds Clobber IceDogs, 7-3

November 25, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


FLINT, Mich. - Gavin Hayes scored twice and both Zacharie Giroux and Braeden Kressler recorded a goal and two assists and the Flint Firebirds cruised to a 7-3 triumph over the visiting Niagara IceDogs on Saturday night at the Dort Financial Center.

The IceDogs logged the game's first goal early in the first while shorthanded. Kevin He poke-checked the puck lose to Zakary Lavoie, who was sprung free on a breakaway from the center line in. Lavoie lifted a wrist shot over Nathan Day's left shoulder and in to give Niagara an early 1-0 lead.

Flint answered about five minutes later when Dallas Stars prospect Tristan Bertucci slipped between two defenders and he gained the zone. He left a drop-pass for Nathan Aspinall at the top of the right circle. The left-handed sophomore forward ripped it top corner to the far side for his fifth goal of the season. On Teddy Bear Toss night in Flint, Aspinall's goal brought the stuffed animals to the ice and tied the game at one.

With four minutes left in the first, Giroux intercepted a Niagara pass at his defensive blue line and was off to the races. He outpaced three defenders through the neutral to create a breakaway on Owen Flores, who came way out of his goal crease to challenge. Giroux put a forehand-to-backhand move on Flores and tucked it home to put the Firebirds on top, 2-1.

Flint needed only 32 seconds to extend its lead during a carryover power play in the second period. Kressler carried the puck along the right wing and held until he was below the right circle. From the corner, he turned and sent the puck into the slot, where Hayes cut in front of the defender and one-timed the pass home to make it 3-1.

At the halfway point of the second, Coulson Pitre wound and fired from the left point. Flores made the pad save, but the rebound escaped him and trickled toward the right circle. Nolan Dann grabbed it and buried the rebound on the near side of the cage. Dann's seventh goal of the season extended the lead to 4-1.

The Firebirds continued to pour it on at the end of the second period. First Kaden Pitre hit the afterburners to beat out an icing and passed back to Blake Smith at the left point. Smith's shot was stopped but Markas Samenas tucked home the rebound. Then Hayes netted his second of the night by deflecting a Giroux shot past Flores to push the score to 6-1.

With under 15 seconds remaining in period two, Mike Levin took a shot from the right circle that Day stopped but the rebound bounced to Ryan Vannetten. His rebound shot glanced off a stick and past Day to make it 6-2.

In the third, with the teams skating at four-on-four, Kressler skated into the zone and sent a snap shot high past the glove of Flores for his third point of the night. Then, with the IceDogs skating shorthanded, William Stewart knocked a rebound free of a diving Day to Ryan Roobroeck who was trailing the play. Roobroeck slid the puck home, pushing the score to its 7-3 final.

Hayes' goals were his club-leading 16th and 17th of the season, Simon Slavicek recorded an assist to extend his point streak to 12 games, and Day made 35 saves on 38 shots to earn his ninth victory of the season. Flint improved to 11-10-1-1 in the win while the IceDogs fell to 4-13-4-1.

The Firebirds will be back in action Sunday afternoon for a matinee battle with the OHL-leading Kitchener Rangers. It's Princesses and Superheroes night and all fans are encouraged to dress up as their favorite princess or superhero. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Dort Financial Center.

Story: Brandon Mills // flintfirebirds.com

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