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OHL Flint Firebirds

Firebirds Fight Back, Drop Steelheads in OT, 3-2

January 26, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - Roberto Mancini scored his first goal as a Firebird to tie the game and force overtime and Nolan Dann buried the game-winning goal as the Flint Firebirds came from behind and beat the Mississauga Steelheads in overtime, 3-2, on Friday night at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre.

With the Firebirds trailing 2-1 late in the game, Mancini took the puck at the blue line, teed up and slapped a shot into traffic. It redirected off a defender in the slot and past rookie netminder Jack Ivankovic for Mancini's first goal of the season, tying the game at two and forcing overtime.

Just over two minutes into overtime, Simon Slavicek broke free with the puck and carried into the attacking zone ahead of the play. As a defender closed in, he hit the brakes and curled into the right circle. From there he found Dann entering the zone, creating a 2-on-1 opportunity. The overage forward carried to the bottom of the left hash marks and lifted a short wrister over the left pad and just inside the near post to seal the 3-2 victory.

Flint showcased its improved depth and the third line scored the first goal of the contest. At the tail end of a long shift where the Birds maintained control in their offensive zone, Connor Clattenburg carried up the right side of the slot and tried to lift a short-range shot over Ivankovic's left pad. The save was made, but the rebound fell at the top of the crease where Jimmy Lombardi attacked it. His effort paid off and Lombardi eventually tapped it under the rookie netminder for a 1-0 lead.

Dean Loukus tied the game at one five minutes later. Lucas Karmiris fed him in the left circle from the near corner and Loukus stickhandled around a defender to get loose. He faked a shot to the near side, waited for the commitment from Nathan Day and tucked a shot inside the far post to tie the game at one.

The Steelheads claimed their lead with seven minutes remaining in the second period. Kieran Witkowski lasered a pass through traffic from the right-wing half-boards to the top of the crease where Jack Van Volsen had inside position on the back door. He redirected the pass past Day and gave Mississauga the lead, 2-1.

Mancini recorded a goal and an assist in the contest and Lombardi snapped an 11-game pointless streak with his second goal of the season and Day made 22 saves on 24 shots to earn the victory in net. With the win, the Firebirds improved to 18-23-2-1 while the Steelheads dropped to 22-20-3-1.

The Firebirds will continue their road swing on Saturday night in Owen Sound against the Attack. Puck drop at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Story: Brandon Mills // flintfirebirds.com

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