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OHL Flint Firebirds

Firebirds Come Up Short At Saginaw, 2-1

October 11, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Saginaw, Mich. - Kaden Pitre scored his team-leading third goal of the season and Nathan Day made 21 saves on 23 shots but it wasn't enough as the Flint Firebirds came up short on the road against the Saginaw Spirit, 2-1, on Wednesday night at the Dow Event Center. Zayne Parekh and Calumet, Michigan native Dean Loukus both found twine for Saginaw, who got 24 saves from Andrew Oke en route to its third consecutive victory.

The first period told a tale of special teams for both clubs in the early stages of the season, as both were given two power-play chances. Saginaw ranked first in the OHL with the extra man coming into the night, and the Firebirds were on the opposite end of the scale. Saginaw's top-ranked penalty kill prevented Flint from converting on either opportunity, while the Spirit capitalized on one of their two. Zayne Parekh grabbed a clearing attempt from the Birds at the left point and walked the line to the high slot. From there he wristed a show through traffic that found the back of the net low to the glove side for his first of the season that put the Spirit on top, 1-0.

In the second, Flint was able to tie it and finally break through on the power play. In the final minute of the period, Marko Stojkov started the play at the right point, feeding Nolan Dann along the right-wing half-boards. Dann hit Pitre between a pair of defenders in the slot where he quickly settled the puck and launched a snap shot just inside the left post below Oke's blocker for his team-leading third tally of the season at 19:11.

The tie was broken at 7:26 of the third with the first even-strength marker of the night. Matyas Sapovaliv carried between the circles before passing the puck to the left Day for the awaiting Loukus. He directed the puck behind Day for his first of the season, putting the Spirit ahead, 2-1.

With less than eight minutes remaining in regulation, Saginaw was assessed a four-minute double minor. Flint set up in the Spirit zone and maintained possession the majority of the time while creating several quality scoring chances. A few critical saves by Oke combined with the penalty-killers blocking several shots preserved the 2-1 edge for the home squad.

Day headed to the Flint bench with around 60 seconds remaining in regulation, his team still trailing by one. Despite a strong push at the opposite end, the Birds were unable to solve Oke and his defenders. The Spirit eventually held on and escaped with a 2-1 win.

Pitre netted his team-leading third goal of the season and Day made 21 saves for the Firebirds who dropped to 0-4-0-0 in the loss. Saginaw improved to 3-1-0-0 in the win and took the first game of the Coors Light I-75 Divide Cup.

COMING UP: On Friday the team heads to Sarnia for a battle with the Sting. Flint's next home game will be one week from tonight when they host the Guelph Storm on Hockey Fights Cancer Night, sponsored by the McLaren Flint Foundation. The team will be wearing specialty Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys during gameplay, with a live jersey auction following the contest. All proceeds will benefit the McLaren Flint Foundation. Tickets are available online at ETIX.com or at the Dort Financial Center Box Office.

Check out the Flint Firebirds Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 11, 2023


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