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OHL Flint Firebirds

Firebirds Hit the Road Again to Face Otters Friday and Saturday Night in Erie

October 29, 2021 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Erie, Penn. - After back-to-back hard-fought defeats to the Saginaw Spirit over the past week, the Firebirds look to return to their winning ways Friday night against the Otters. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. (ET) at Erie Insurance Arena.

Flint hosted the Otters in their first two games of the regular season, winning both by final scores of 3-0 and 3-2. On opening night Luke Cavallin earned his first career shutout, blanking all 35 shots from Erie. Braeden Kressler (Toronto Maple Leafs), Brennan Othmann (New York Rangers), and Coulson Pitre all lit the lamp for the home team.

Five nights later the clubs met again in Flint, and the game was much closer. Firebirds' defenseman Tyler Deline scored his first OHL career goal before Brendan Hoffmann and Colby Saganiuk scored two unanswered goals in the second period to give the visitors the lead. Othmann tied the contest with under six minutes to play with his second marker of the season before Zacharie Giroux's breakaway goal sealed the victory. Giroux's goal was a game-winner and was featured on ESPN's Sportscenter Top 10. Cavallin made 37 saves on 39 shots that night for his second victory.

Since their two-game opening series in Flint, the Otters have played the Saginaw Spirit four times, twice home and twice on the road. Erie won one in Saginaw and one back in Erie to split the four-game series. The Firebirds have played the Spirit twice, dropping both contests to their in-state rivals. Erie enters Friday's contest with a season record of 2-4-0-0 and Flint sits at 2-2-0-0.

All-time Flint carries a record of 8-7-2-3 against Erie, with a road record of 4-3-0-3. Nine of the 20 total regular-season meetings have gone to overtime, with five of those requiring a shootout to determine the victor. Friday marks the third of 12 total meetings between these squads this season, and the first of six to be played in Erie.

On special teams, the Firebirds are scoring at a 5.9% clip, which ranks them 18th in the 20-team OHL. Erie is scoring on their power-play opportunities at a success rate of 14.3%, which has them tied for 15th. Flint is killing penalties at a success rate of 80%, which has them tied for eighth-best in the league. The Otters' penalty-kill ranks fifth at an 85.7% success rate.

Players to Watch

Flint Firebirds (2-2-0-0, 4th West Division):

Forward Brennan Othmann (New York Rangers) has two goals and two assists for four points through four games played to lead the 'Birds this season. Othmann also has the club's only power-play tally to date. First-year forward Coulson Pitre has a trio of goals to rank second on the stat sheet. Center Braeden Kressler (Toronto Maple Leafs), forward Amadeus Lombardi, and defenseman Tyler Deline are tied for the third spot with a goal and an assist each.

In net, veteran Flint netminder Luke Cavallin has played in all four regular-season games thus far and earned two victories, stopping 113 of 124 shots in total. He is one of only five goaltenders with a shutout this season. Cavallin carries a 2.97 goals-against average (GAA), and his save-percentage (SV%) is .911. First-year goaltender Nathaniel Day saw his first OHL action in Saginaw Wednesday night, playing the final 18 minutes of the game and stopping all four shots-faced.

NHL: The Firebirds have three players with NHL ties consisting of Braeden Kressler (Toronto Maple Leafs), Dmitry Kuzmin (Winnipeg Jets), and Brennan Othmann (New York Rangers). Tag Bertuzzi was invited to the recent Montreal Canadians rookie camp, and forward Sahil Panwar was an invitee at the Los Angeles Kings' camp. Additionally, Gavin Hayes was recently named to the 2021 NHL Central Scouting October Players to Watch List.

Despite Flint playing in just five OHL seasons thus far, Alex Nedeljkovic (Carolina Hurricanes / Detroit Red Wings), Kole Sherwood (Columbus Blue Jackets), and Ty Dellandrea (Dallas Stars) are three former Firebirds to play in the NHL. Brennan Othmann (New York Rangers) and Firebirds' alumni Ethan Keppen (Vancouver Canucks), Vili Saarijarvi (Detroit Red Wings) and Jalen Smereck (Arizona Coyotes) have all played in NHL pre-season contests. In total, the team has produced 21 signed or drafted players into the NHL.

Erie Otters (2-4-0-0, 5th Midwest Division):

Centerman Brett Bressette leads in scoring for the Otters, with four goals and four assists for eight total points in six games played. Third-year center Elias Cohen and winger Noah Sedore are tied for second, each with two goals and five helpers through six games.

The Otters are backstopped by a pair of first-year netminders. Nolan Lalonde has made five appearances, posting a 3.17 goals-against average (GAA) and a save-percentage (SV%) of .896. He's credited with two victories. Marshall Nicholls played in one contest and carries a 2.03 GAA with a SV% of .926.

NHL: Connor Lockhart (Vancouver Canucks) is the lone player on Erie's roster with NHL ties. Additionally, Daniel D'Amato attended the Vegas Golden Knights main camp this preseason.

Notable Otters' alumni to play in the NHL are Connor McDavid, Connor Brown, Nikita Alexeev, Brad Boyes, Tim Connoly, Mike Rupp, Steve Montador, Carlo Coliaiacovo, Chris Campoli, Jason Ward and Dylan Strome.

Broadcast Coverage:

Friday evening's contest against the Erie Otters will not have radio coverage, but the Firebirds will return to the US 103.1 airways for Saturday night's game. Most games during the season can be heard live on the radio throughout Flint & Mid-Michigan on US 103.1 FM, online at www.us103.com, or by downloading the US 103 app here. Jack Sznewajs calls the play-by-play action on the Firebirds Hockey Network (FHN).

The game will be televised live across the province of Ontario on the OHL Action Pak on channel 463 (4463 HD) for both Rogers TV and Cogeco TV cable subscribers. OHL fans with cable television in Ontario can add the OHL Action Pak to their television plan to catch the Firebirds in action, home or away all season long. Also, all Flint Firebirds' home and away games throughout the 2021-22 regular season can be watched anywhere in the world online on https://watch.chl.ca/ohl. CHL TV is the league's new and improved video streaming platform that delivers high-quality live and on-demand coverage of all regular season and playoff games annually. The cost is $6.99 for 24-hour access, $24.99 for monthly access, $109.99 for all-access to the 2021-22 Firebirds and OHL season, or $159.99 for all-access to the entire 2021-22 CHL season.

Next Up: The 'Birds and Otters will play again Saturday night at Erie Insurance Arena. Saturday's game will be broadcast throughout Flint & Mid-Michigan on US 103.1 FM, online at www.us103.com, or by downloading the US 103 app here. Jack Sznewajs will call Saturday's play-by-play action on the Firebirds Hockey Network (FHN), with pre-game coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m. (ET).

Next Home Game: The Firebirds return to home ice Wednesday, November 3 when they host the Windsor Spitfires for the first time this season. Puck drop for Buy One, Get One Wednesday is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ET). Fans can purchase one ticket and get one of equal value free. Tickets are on sale NOW here: ETIX.

Check out the Flint Firebirds Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 29, 2021


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