Firebirds Fall in Saginaw, 6-2
November 8, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release
SAGINAW, Mich. - Braeden Kressler scored twice and Gavin Hayes had a pair of assists but the Flint Firebirds were beaten by the Saginaw Spirit, 6-2, on Wednesday night at the Dow Event Center. Zayne Parekh recorded a hat trick for the Spirit and the Firebirds had their six-game point streak snapped in the loss.
Flint opened the scoring in the first period while skating with a power play. Hayes hit Simon Slavicek with a stretch pass that he carried into the attacking zone. Slavicek fed a crashing Kressler on the back side and he tucked the puck home, putting the Firebirds on top, 1-0.
Saginaw answered though with their first of five goals in the opening period. Joey Willis forced a turnover and hit Parekh for a one-timer that he cranked past Nathan Day, evening the score at one.
The Spirit then took the lead when Calem Mangone gathered a rebound and fed Matyas Sapovaliv at the top of the crease for a shot that got through Day. Parekh then netted his second when he looked off the defense and snapped a wrist shot through Day's short side, pushing the lead to 3-1.
Braden Hache was fed for a one-timer low in the slot that pushed the Saginaw lead to three. The Spirit struck again after Sebastien Gervais flipped a pass to the back door where Liam Storch was crashing. He stuck his stick out and redirected it past Day to make the score 5-1.
Jacob Brown entered to start the second period, replacing Day who stopped nine of the 14 shots he faced in the first. Early in the second, Parekh skated his way to the high slot and ripped a shot high on the blocker side, extending the lead to 6-1.
Flint got one back late in the third period when Hayes hit Kressler along the right-wing boards. He turned the corner on the defense, dragged the puck from his forehand to his backhand and slid it between the legs of Andrew Oke, cutting the deficit to 6-2.
Brown made 14 saves on 15 shots in relief, Kressler recorded multiple points for the seventh consecutive game and Hayes extended his point streak to 12 games. The Firebirds fell to 7-7-1-1 while Saginaw improved to 7-7-0-1.
Flint will continue its road swing on Friday night on the road in Guelph against the Storm. Puck drop at the Sleeman Centre is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 8, 2023
- Jackson Parsons and Rangers Shut Out Owen Sound - Kitchener Rangers
- Firebirds Fall in Saginaw, 6-2 - Flint Firebirds
- Parekh Notches First Career Hat Trick in 6-2 Win Over Flint - Saginaw Spirit
- Niagara IceDogs Week Recap - Niagara IceDogs
- Firebirds Visit Spirit Wednesday Night for Game 3 of I-75 Divide Cup - Flint Firebirds
- OHL and Fat Bastard Burrito Announce Multi-Year Partnership - OHL
- Kitchener Heads to Owen Sound for Fourth Matchup of the Season - Kitchener Rangers
- Spirit Seek Season Series Lead against Flint Wednesday Night - Saginaw Spirit
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