OHL Flint Firebirds

Firebirds Return Home for 'Buy One, Get One' Night Tonight vs. Erie

Published on December 8, 2021 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Flint, Mich. - After winning two of three road games last week, the Firebirds return to the friendly confines of the Dort Financial Center for a four-game homestand. First up, the Erie Otters are in town for another Buy One, Get One Wednesday contest, where fans can purchase one ticket and get a second ticket of equal value for free. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ET) at the Dort Financial Center.

The Firebirds enter Wednesday's contest in second place in the West Division and fourth place in the ten-team Western Conference with a record of 11-8-0-1. The Otters sit fifth in the Midwest, with a 6-14-1-1 record. On home ice this year, the 'Birds are 5-6-0-0 compared to Erie's road record of 4-9-1-0. All-time, Flint carries a record of 11-7-2-3 against Erie, with a home record of 6-4-2-0. So far this season, Flint has won all five games against the Otters.

The last time these clubs met was November 19 in Flint. That night, the Firebirds skated away with a 6-2 victory. Brennan Othmann (New York Rangers) netted two goals and added an assist for a three-point game, earning First-Star honors in the contest. Coulson Pitre, Braeden Kressler (Toronto Maple Leafs), Sahil Panwar, and Riley Piercey each lit the lamp, as well. Owain Johnston and Cameron Lowe potted the markers for the Otters. Between the pipes, Luke Cavallin made 35 saves on 37 shots for his sixth victory of the season. Across the ice, Marshall Nicholls saved 35 of 41 shots faced. On special teams, Flint finished two-for-two on the power play and held Erie scoreless in four chances with the man advantage.

In the five games between Flint and Erie, Brennan Othmann leads all players with 10 total points, including six goals and four assists. Braeden Kressler and Zacharie Giroux have each scored three times and chipped in three helpers. Erie is led by Elias Cohen, with two tallies and two assists for four total points versus the Firebirds this year.

On special teams, the Firebirds are converting with the man-advantage at a 16.5% rate, which ranks them 15th in the OHL. Erie has scored at a success rate of 18.3%, which places them 13th. Flint is killing penalties at an OHL-best 88.0% clip. The Otters' penalty-kill ranks sixth in the OHL with an 80.3% success rate.

Players to Watch:

Flint Firebirds (11-8-0-1, 2nd West Division):

Brennan Othmann (New York Rangers) remains on top of the scoresheet for the Firebirds with 15 goals and 14 assists for 29 total points through 20 games. Othmann is tied for sixth in total goals-scored. Defenseman Tyler Deline is second in total points with 17 (3 G, 14 A) in 20 contests. Deline's 14 assists are tied for eighth-most among OHL blue-liners. His 10 power-play assists are tied for ninth overall and tied for fourth among rearguards. Amadeus Lombardi and Riley Piercey are tied for third on the club with 15 points each. Both players have seven goals and eight assists; Piercey in 15 games played and Lombardi through 20. Piercey currently ride's the team's longest point streak of the season at seven games (5 G, 5 A).

Coulson Pitre tops the freshman class for the Birds with 13 points (8 G, 5 A) in 14 games played. Pitre has five points (3 G, 2 A) in his last three games and his 0.93 point-per-game average is 3rd among OHL rookies.

In net, Luke Cavallin has appeared in 15 games thus far. He carries a goals-against average (GAA) of 3.40. His save percentage (SV%) is .900, which is in the top ten among net-minders with 10 or more appearances. Cavallin has earned eight wins, with one of them being a shutout against the Otters on opening night in Flint. Rookie netminder Ian Michelone now has three wins in five appearances, including one shutout. He carries a 3.02 GAA and a .920 SV%. The Firebirds' youngest goaltender is Nathaniel Day, who made four saves on four shots in the final 18 minutes of a road game in Saginaw.

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). Also, Gavin Hayes was named to the 2021 NHL Central Scouting November 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 (6-14-1-1, 5th Midwest Division):

Brett Bressette leads in scoring for the Otters, with nine goals and 12 assists for 21 total points in 22 games played. Third-year center Elias Cohen sits second at a point-per-game average with 21 points (8 G, 13 A) in 21 games. Connor Lockhart (Vancouver Canucks) sits third with five tallies and 10 helpers for 15 points in 20 contests.

Erie's top-scoring defenseman is Christian Kyrou, who has lit the lamp four times and pitched in 10 assists through 20 games played. The Otters' 2020 first-round draft pick (8th overall) Spencer Sova paces the freshman class on the team with 10 points (1 G, 9 A).

The Otters are backstopped by a pair of first-year netminders. Nolan Lalonde has made 18 appearances, posting a 3.63 goals-against average (GAA) and a save-percentage (SV%) of .886. He's credited with all six Erie victories. Marshall Nicholls has played in six contests and carries a 4.43 GAA with a SV% of .865.

NHL: Connor Lockhart (Vancouver Canucks) is the lone player on Erie's roster with NHL ties. Daniel D'Amato attended the Vegas Golden Knights main camp this preseason. Additionally, Spencer Sova, Artem Kulakov, and Nolan Lalonde were named to the 2021 NHL Central Scouting November Players to Watch List.

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

Broadcast Coverage:

Wednesday evening's contest against the Erie Otters 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 will call the play-by-play action on the Firebirds Hockey Network (FHN). Pregame coverage will begin prior to puck drop at 6:45 p.m. (ET) Wednesday evening.

The game will also be televised live across the province of Ontario on the OHL Action Pak on channel 466 (4466 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 Home Game: The Firebirds return to home ice this weekend for back-to-back battles with the Owen Sound Attack. Friday night is the annual Teddy Bear Toss game. Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used teddy bears to toss on the ice after Flint scores their first goal. The teddy bears will be collected and donated to the Old Newsboys of Flint, the YWCA, Hurley Medical Center, and many others. Family four-pack of tickets (includes food and drinks) are available starting at just $72. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ET). Tickets are on sale NOW here: ETIX. On Saturday, bring in a Toy (recommended minimum $10 value) and get a FREE ticket compliments of Dort Financial Credit Union. Toys will be collected leading up to the game at the Firebirds Merchandise Store, the 'Birds Nest". The Flint Firebirds will be wearing special Santa jerseys and there will be a Live Auction to follow the conclusion of the game. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. (ET) and tickets can be purchased NOW here: ETIX.

Check out the Flint Firebirds Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2021


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