Firebirds Host Rival Saginaw on Sunday Afternoon
October 29, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release
FLINT, Mich. - The Firebirds face their in-state rivals the Saginaw Spirit on Sunday Family Funday at the Dort Financial Center. The contest is the second of the annual eight-game series between the OHL's two Michigan-based franchises, with the winner earning rights to the coveted I-75 Divide Cup, presented by Coors Light. Puck drop is set for 4:00 p.m. at the Dort Financial Center.
HEATING UP: After dropping their first four contests to start the season, the Firebirds have turned up the heat. They now have points in five of their last seven, including picking up three of the possible four points in back-to-back tilts with the Soo Greyhounds in the past week. Rookie forward Jeremy Martin scored twice last night and both Zacharie Giroux and Chicago Blackhawks prospect Gavin Hayes enter Sunday's game on seven-game point streaks.
SERIES HISTORY: Flint holds a mark of 26-33-1-3 all-time against the Spirit, including one road loss this year. At home, the Birds are 12-15-1-3 versus Saginaw. Last season the Spirit claimed the I-75 Divide Cup for the fourth time in its seventh season of existence.
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING: The scouts from the National Hockey League have released their October Players to Watch List, naming OHL players to keep an eye on for next year's NHL Draft. Two Firebirds made the cut; forward Kaden Pitre and defenseman Matthew Jenken.
SCOUTING THE SPIRIT: (4-5-0-1, 3rd West Division) -
Minnesota Wild prospect Hunter Haight leads Saginaw with five goals and eight assists through ten games played. Sophomore defender Zayne Parekh ranks second on the squad with two goals and a team-leading ten helpers. Winger Valentin Zhugin is third with nine total points (6 G, 3 A).
Shelby Township, Mich. native Andrew Oke has appeared in six contests this season, earning three victories along with a 2.68 goals-against average (GAA) and an .894 save percentage (SV%). Former Erie Otters netminder Nolan Lalonde has one win in nine appearances and carries a 3.97 GAA with an .858 SV%.
The Spirit rank in the top-two in the league in both facets of special teams. On the power play, they've converted on 34.5% of their chances, which is tops in the OHL currently. When shorthanded, they're finding success at the league's second-best clip of 92.1%.
SCOUTING THE FIREBIRDS: (4-6-0-1, 4th West Division) -
Zacharie Giroux continues to lead the club at a point-per-game pace. He's scored six times and picked up five helpers across 11 contests. Three players are tied for second in scoring on the team, each with eight points. Braeden Kressler and Gavin Hayes each have four goals and four assists while Coulson Pitre has netted three and assisted on five markers this season.
Rookie forward Jeremy Martin is tied for the most goals among OHL rookies with five and he has an assist for six total points. He remains one of only three first-year players to record a shorthanded tally this season.
Nathan Day has appeared in nine contests, posting a 4.77 goals-against average and an .850 save percentage with three victories. Rookie Jacob Brown has one win in three appearances and sports a 5.76 GAA and an .810 SV%.
The Firebirds are killing penalties at a 75.6% rate and have logged three shorthanded markers in the campaign. The power play sits a 6.5%, the lowest mark in the league.
BROADCAST COVERAGE: This afternoon's game against the Saginaw Spirit 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. Brian Gardner will call the play-by-play action on the Firebirds Hockey Network starting with the pre-game show at 3:45 p.m.
All of the Flint Firebirds home and away games throughout the 2023-24 season can be watched anywhere in the world online at https://watch.chl.ca/ohl.
PROMOTIONS: Saturday's game is another Sunday Family Funday, where fans can buy one adult silver or bronze level ticket at the box office and get TWO FREE silver or bronze level kids tickets. *Please note, this offer is only available at the box office window.*
All fans are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes to the game because we have pregame trick-or-treating from 3:00-4:00 p.m. while supplies last. Game time is 4:00 p.m., for more information, contact the Dort Financial Center Box Office at (810)-744-0580.
COMING UP: The Firebirds hit the road for a Wednesday tilt with the Owen Sound Attack before returning home on Friday to host the Erie Otters for the first time this season. Friday's home game is the club's annual Pucks Four Paws night, benefitting the Humane Society of Genesee County. Fans are encouraged to bring their dog to the game. A donation of puppy/dog food, kitten/cat food, cleaning supplies, and/or dog & cat toys with a minimum value of $5.00 will earn you a FREE dog ticket. Otherwise, a dog ticket can be purchased at the box office for $5.00. It is required that you provide paperwork for the dog being licensed & up to date on their rabies, parvovirus, and bordatella vaccination. Dog tags are not accepted as proof of vaccinations. One dog per adult is allowed, and pets must be on a 6-foot non-retractable leash.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 29, 2023
- Firebirds Drop Spirit, 4-2 - Flint Firebirds
- Spirit Unable to Overcome Early Deficit, Fall in Flint - Saginaw Spirit
- Firebirds Host Rival Saginaw on Sunday Afternoon - Flint Firebirds
- Spirit Close Three-Game Weekend in Flint - Saginaw Spirit
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