Firebirds Drop Game 6 in OT on Home Ice, Travel to Windsor for Game 7 Wednesday
Published on May 31, 2022 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release
Flint, Mich. - The Firebirds watched a 2 - 1 lead slip away in the third period, before falling 3 - 2 in overtime to the Spitfires Tuesday. Detroit, Mich. native Xavier Medina got his first start between the pipes for Windsor in the 2022 OHL Playoffs and made 31 saves on 33 shots for the victory. Luke Cavallin backstopped on a busy night in goal, facing 57 shots and posting 54 saves. Cavallin was named the 'Third Star' for his efforts in net. Daniel D'Amico was named 'Second Star' after scoring both of the Spits goals in regulation. In overtime, Andrew Perrot netted the eventual game-winner and was granted 'First Star' accolades. On special teams, the Firebirds scored both goals on the power play, with those coming from the sticks of Ethan Keppen (Vancouver Canucks) and Riley Piercey.
The Firebirds were first to light the lamp, doing so on a power play just 3:44 into the contest. Dmitry Kuzmin (Winnipeg Jets) quarterbacked the power-play unit from his perch high between the circles. He fed Brennan Othmann (New York Rangers) at the right half-wall, and the captain hit Ethan Keppen (Vancouver Canucks) to Medina's left. In one quick motion, Keppen received the pass and lifted the puck mid-height on Medina's side. It deflected off the goaltender's equipment and into the back of the net for his seventh of the playoffs and third on the man-advantage.
The Spitfires only needed 12 seconds to erase Flint's lead. Michael Renwick made the breakout pass to spring Jacob Maillet free on a breakaway up the right side. The Firebirds' defender lifted his stick at the last minute, thwarting the shot attempt. Maillet regained possession behind the goal line and flipped the puck back to the high slot, where Daniel D'Amico one-timed it glove-side past Cavallin for his fifth of the postseason at even strength.
Windsor outshot the Birds 13-9 and outdrew them 14-12 through the first 20 minutes of play. Flint scored on their lone power-play chance while holding the Spits scoreless in two man-advantage opportunities.
Shortly after the midway point of the second period, Flint faced nearly a full minute of 5-on-3 power-play time. Bench Boss Ted Dent utilized his timeout early to ensure the troops knew the plan of attack. It worked, as Zacharie Giroux set up Riley Piercey at the top of the left-wing circle. Piercey's cannon beat Medina near-side for his third of the playoffs, logged at 11:06 and assisted by Giroux and Gavin Hayes.
Piercey's power-play marker was the lone goal scored in the middle frame. Shots ended at 13-10 to Windsor's advantage. Faceoffs also were a slight edge for the Spits 10-9. The Birds scored once on two power plays while keeping the visiting Spitfires off the scoreboard with two opportunities.
Just shy of the midway point of the third, Alex Christopoulos snapped a short-range shot from the right faceoff circle. Cavallin was at the top of the goal crease to make the save, but a diving D'Amico grabbed the rebound and tucked it behind Flint's goalie for his second of the night at 9:22.
The game remained knotted at a pair through 60 minutes. The Spitfires led on the shot clock 44-28. Faceoffs were dead even at 32 at the end of regulation. Flint had scored twice on five power-play chances and held Windsor scoreless in four tries.
The overtime was nonstop action, with both teams getting plenty of chances. The Spitfires put 12 shots on Cavallin before Andrew Perrott potted the game-winner from the left faceoff circle with 1:18 remaining. Will Cuylle (New York Rangers) drew the assist.
The final shots were 57-33 for Windsor. Flint won one more faceoff than the Spits, ending at 42-41. Neither team took a penalty in the extra frame.
Next Up: Game 7 will be played in Windsor Wednesday evening, with puck drop set for 7:05 p.m. (ET). Fans in Flint and mid-Michigan can follow along with all the action on US 103.1 FM, online at www.us103.com, or by downloading the US 103 app here. Jack Sznewajs will call the play-by-play action on the Firebirds Hockey Network (FHN). Pregame coverage will begin prior to puck drop at 6:45 p.m. (ET) Wednesday evening.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from May 31, 2022
- OHL Play of the Night: Andrew Perrott in Overtime - Windsor Spitfires
- Firebirds Drop Game 6 in OT on Home Ice, Travel to Windsor for Game 7 Wednesday - Flint Firebirds
- Firebirds' Brennan Othmann Named OHL Player of the Week - Flint Firebirds
- Bulldogs' Nathan Staios Named OHL Defenceman of the Year - OHL
- Firebirds Target Wayne Gretzky Trophy in Game 6 on Home Ice Tuesday - Flint Firebirds
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