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OHL Flint Firebirds

Firebirds Rally in a Thrilling 3rd Period, Take Down Erie 2-1

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


Erie, Pa. - The Firebirds' three-game road trip hit leg two in Erie tonight, for the first of two vs. the Otters, and saw another thriller commence between the two teams. Ian Michelone received the start in net for the Firebirds, making his OHL debut. Marshall Nicholls countered in the blue paint for Erie.

Otters forward Daniel D'Amato took a penalty 1:32 into the game. After an official review, a 5-minute major was assessed to D'Amato for slew-footing. The Firebirds proceeded to put up five shots on the non-releasable PP but were unsuccessful at finding the back of the net.

The 1st Period rolled along with the teams exchanging chances before James Petrovski took a slashing penalty sending the Otters to their first man-advantage of the game at the 8:24 mark of the 1st Period. The Firebirds killed it with ease, allowing just one shot in the process. The opening frame ended with shots dead even at nine apiece and the Firebirds leading 9-5 in the face-off department.

Whistles were rare to come by throughout the 2nd Period, but the Firebirds drew a penalty, their first power play since the five-minute man-advantage early in the 1st, with 3:33 remaining in the frame as Lucas Ross sat for tripping. Sahil Panwar went wide before wrapping it back to the point for Tyler Deline who let one fly. The rebound off Nichols hit three different Firebirds but they were unable to put it home. During the play, Marshall Nicholls sustained an injury and goaltender Nolan LaLonde replaced him with 2:15 remaining in the 2nd.

The final seconds of both the power-play and 2nd period ticked away as the teams headed to the locker room still scoreless. The Firebirds led in the shot department 24-19 and 16-11 in the face-off circle.

Zacharie Giroux was taken down hard earlier in the 3rd Period by Spencer Sova and the Firebirds returned to the man advantage. Chances came aplenty once again, but the game remained scoreless as Sova stepped back onto the ice.

30 seconds after Sova was released, Tyler Deline got called for tripping sending the Otters to their second PP of the game. The Otters had a great chance of a deflected puck from a point shot that landed at the side of the net but was sent past a wide-open net by Colby Saganiuk. Frustration set in with the Otters forward as he took a cross-checking penalty to even things up at four-aside soon after.

The linesmen inadvertently dropped the puck before the Firebirds were set on the ensuing face-off, and it resulted in them being called for too many men on the play giving Erie a rare 4-on-3 for 51 seconds. Flint did a great job killing off the 51 seconds and all other subsequent penalties were killed off as well returning play to 5-on-5 with 12:18 remaining in a 0-0 game.

Noah Sedore finally broke the tie, as the Otters forward hopped over the boards, received the puck and let a shot go that deflected off a Firebirds stick past Michelone making it 1-0 with 12:06 left in the 3rd frame. The tally was assisted by Brett Bressette.

The Firebirds answered right back. Brennan Othmann, Braeden Kressler and Zacharie Giroux started a rush up ice that resulted in a big rebound in front for Zack Terry who came crashing in from the point. His first goal as a Firebird, and first goal since his rookie year, with 11:05 remaining tied things up at one. The assists were credited to Braeden Kressler and Brennan Othmann.

The Firebirds found paydirt once more in the final minute of the game. After a great blocked shot in the defensive end by Tyler Deline, Ethan Hay took a hit to advance the puck up ice for a 2-on-1 between Othmann and Giroux. Brennan Othmann patiently skated into the Otters zone before ripping a wrister low-glove side past LaLonde giving the Firebirds a 2-1 lead with 30.5 seconds remaining which they would ultimately hang on to.

Final shots read 39-33 in favor of Flint as Ian Michelone stopped 32 of 33 shots in his first career OHL game. Face-offs went the way of the 'Birds as well, 26-21. Flint was 0/4 on the PP and Erie finished the game 0/3. The Firebirds move to 3-0 vs. the Otters this season, with two game-winning goals being scored in the final minute of regulation.

Next up: The Firebirds wrap up their three-game road trip Saturday night in Erie. Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm with Jack Sznewajs and the Firebirds Hockey Network (FHN) returning to the airwaves at 6:45 pm for the FHN pre-game show, which 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.

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.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 29, 2021


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