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OHL Flint Firebirds

Firebirds Drop a Tough One 6-2 to the Windsor Spitfires

November 3, 2021 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Flint, Mich. - The Flint Firebirds dropped a hard-fought contest versus the Windsor Spitfires by a final score of 6-2 at the Dort Financial Center Wednesday evening. Windsor was led by a hat trick from Matthew Maggio, who earned first-star honors in the contest for his four-point performance (3 G, 1 A). Kyle McDonald scored twice for the visitors and Ethan Miedema recorded a goal and assist. For the Firebirds, Brennan Othmann (New York Rangers) scored his fifth goal and ninth point of the season and Luca D'Amato potted his first OHL goal along with an assist. Between the pipes, Xavier Medina stood tall with 36 saves on 38 shots from Flint. Across the ice, Luke Cavallin made 28 saves on 34 shots.

The Spitfires opened the scoring on a power play just 3:15 into the game. Daniil Sobolev (Montreal Canadians) made a pass from just inside the blue line to Matthew Maggio atop the right circle. Maggio turned and fired a high wrist shot on net. Cavallin made the initial save, but Ethan Miedema was perched on the doorstep to redirect the rebound under Cavallin for his third of the season.

Then, at 12:34 of the opening frame, defenseman Bronson Ride made a backhand pass across the slot from the left circle. Christopher O'Flaherty received the pass and launched a high wrister on Cavallin. Again, the initial save was made. This time the rebound was buried by Maggio for his third of the campaign.

The 'Birds cut the deficit in half at 11:37. Luca D'Amato passed from the top of the left-wing circle to Brennan Othmann (New York Rangers). Othmann was wound back and ready to one-time a cannon on goal, finding twine near side for his team-leading fifth marker of the season.

Maggio logged his second goal and third point of the period at 18:29 from just outside the blue paint. Wyatt Johnston (Dallas Stars) made the setup pass from behind the Flint net, and Maggio one-timed it far-side past Cavallin.

After 20 minutes of play, the Spits held the advantage in shots-on-goal 15-8. Faceoffs favored Flint 13-7.

Maggio completed his hat trick near the middle point of the middle frame. He took control of a loose puck in the neutral zone and skated directly toward the Flint net. He split both Flint defenders and fired the puck five-hole with enough force that it trickled through the pads and into the back of the net. Maggio's third goal was logged at 9:15 of the second period, assisted by Bronson Ride.

Flint topped the Spitfires in shots during the middle twenty minutes 14-7, bringing the two-period total to 23 for the Firebirds and 22 for Windsor. Flint won the majority of second-period faceoffs by a 14-9 margin.

In the third, a defensive turnover resulted in a partial breakaway for Daniel D'Amico. Although his initial shot was stopped by Cavallin, the rebound was loose in the crease. Kyle McDonald slipped the puck behind the netminder for his third of the campaign at 4:13 of period three.

The Firebirds continued to fight and potted their second of the night. Luca D'Amato corralled a loose puck in the neutral zone and flashed his speed up-ice. From the inner edge of the left-wing circle, he launched a snapshot high, far-side. The puck found twine over Medina's shoulder at 7:36, for D'Amato's first OHL goal.

Deep in the Firebirds' defensive end, Miedema picked a defender's pocket and skated along the end boards with the puck. He found Kyle McDonald open in the slot and set up the one-timer. The goal was McDonald's second of the night and fourth of the season logged at 13:33 of the final stanza. Wyatt Johnston picked up the second assist.

At the conclusion of the Spits' 6-2 victory, shots were 38-34, advantage Firebirds. Faceoffs ended at 35 for Flint to 23 for Windsor. On special teams, the 'Birds were unable to convert on four power-play chances, while allowing one goal on two penalties taken.

Next Home Game: The Firebirds return to home ice Saturday, November 6 when they host the first-place London Knights for the first time this season. Puck drop for Flint's annual Military Appreciation Night is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ET). All active-duty military members and veterans can receive one free ticket to the game. Single-game tickets for all Firebirds games are $15 Bronze, $18 Silver, $21 Gold and $26 VIP seating (Seating Chart). All seats are reserved/assigned seating. Fans can purchase tickets by calling (810) 744-0580, in-person at the Dort Financial Center Box Office or online at etix.com.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 3, 2021


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