Firebirds Return Home to Face Barrie on Friday Night
February 2, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release
FLINT, Mich. - The Firebirds arrive back home for a pair of games over the weekend off of back-to-back overtime wins on the road. Flint has won two-straight for the sixth time this season and is seeking to extend the streak to three for the first time this season. It is also seeking its first-ever win on home ice against Barrie, a team it has clashed with six times on Dort Financial Center ice. Puck drop for the Firebirds and the Colts is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Dort Financial Center.
WINNING WEEKEND: The Birds picked up all four available points last weekend with back-to-back overtime wins. Nolan Dann scored the winning tally in extra time both nights. On Friday, Flint rallied from behind to defeat the Mississauga Steelheads 3-2. Roberto Mancini scored his first goal as a Firebird and finished with two points while Nathan Day made 22 saves on 24 shots. Saturday, the Firebirds moved on to Owen Sound and erased a deficit twice to defeat the Attack 4-3 in overtime. In addition to the game-winning goal for the second-straight night, Dann picked up a pair of helpers for three points and Coulson Pitre scored twice while Day made 31 saves on 34 shots.
SERIES HISTORY: The Firebirds have been a member of the OHL since the 2015-2016 season. They've played the cross-conference series with the Colts 13 times and earned but three total wins, all of which came on the road. Friday marks the second of only two annual meetings with these clubs and is the lone game to be played at the Dort Financial Center. Back in mid-October, the Firebirds topped the Colts 5-3 in Barrie backstopped by a 39-save performance that earned Nathan Day first star honors in the contest. Nolan Dann powered the offense with a two-point game, scoring once and assisting once. Flint's all-time record stands at 3-10-0-0 but is 0-for-6 on home ice.
SCOUTING THE COLTS: (18-24-2-0, 4th Central Division) -
Third-year forward Beau Jelsma leads the Colts in assists (30) and total points (48) for the season. Sophomore Cole Beaudoin has the most goals (20) plus 19 helpers for 39 points. He rides a seven game point streak, having acculated four goals and four assists in that span. Rookie Riley Patterson has the most goals of any first-year player in the OHL with 16 plus 22 assists to rank third for Barrie. He was named the OHL's 'Rookie of the Month' for his 15-point (5 G, 10 A) performance in January.
Overage netminder Ben West has seven wins in 24 appearances. His goals-against average is 4.11 and he carries an .882 save percentage. Sam Hildebrandt is in his first full OHL season and has 11 victories in 23 games. He has a GAA of 3.46 and a .905 SV% and was named OHL Goaltender of the Week for a second time last week.
The Colts have struggled on special teams this season, ranking at or near the bottom in league. Their power play is 18th with a success rate of 16.1%. The penalty kill is clicking at a 68.3% which ranks 20th.
SCOUTING THE FIREBIRDS: (19-23-2-1, 3rd West Division) -
Oliver Peer remains atop the scoresheet in goals (26), assists (30), and points (56). Anaheim Ducks prospect Coulson Pitre is second with 22 goals and 23 assists. Dann has 17 tallies and 24 helpers to rank third with 41 points.
Nathan Day, an Edmonton Oilers prospect, has played in 38 games for the Firebirds this year. He has 17 wins and carries a goals-against average of 3.84 with an .863 save percentage. Rookie Jacob Brown has two wins in ten appearances and holds a GAA of 4.82 and a SV% of .836.
The Firebirds have the OHL's 16th-best power play, scoring at a 17.0% clip. The penalty kill is operating at 78.6% which ranks 12th
ODDS & ENDS: Flint holds a record of 6-2-0-0 against foes from the Central Division this season, which is the best mark they hold against any of the OHL's four groupings... Nolan Dann has points in 14 of his last 15 games, including six multi-point contests. He's scored nine times and assisted on 12 markers in that span... Rookie Jimmy Lombardi snapped an 11-game scoreless streak with his goal in Owen Sound Friday. He finished the weekend with two points in two games... Blake Smith holds a +/- rating of +6 for the season, which is the highest on the team for Flint.
PROMOTIONS: Friday night's game is Flint's annual Girls and Women in Sports Night. There will be a pregame speaking panel from 5:30-6:15 p.m. The featured speakers are:
Amanda Cain: Team Photographer for the Detroit Pistons
Lacey Senuk: OHL Referee and IIHF Referee for 10+ years
Kara Hillstead: 20+ years of working in sports marketing, game operations, and community relations
Abigail Niehaus: Membership Services Account Executive for the Detroit Red Wings
BROADCAST COVERAGE: This evening's game against the Barrie Colts 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 pregame show at 6:45 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.
COMING UP: The Birds are back on home ice Saturday to host the Ottawa 67's on Family Night. More details on the event is available on flintfirebirds.com and tickets are available from ETIX.COM.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2024
- Oh Captain' Our Captain Sherk's Pair Leads Dogs Back to Top Spot - Brantford Bulldogs
- Sop Lifts Rangers to OT Victory - Kitchener Rangers
- Firebirds Surrender Lead Late, Fall to Colts, 4-2 - Flint Firebirds
- Spence Scores Pair in Hard-Fought Battle in London - Erie Otters
- Bloom Thrilled to be Back in Saginaw to Chase OHL Championship and Memorial Cup - Saginaw Spirit
- Firebirds Return Home to Face Barrie on Friday Night - Flint Firebirds
- Rangers Look to Get Back into Win Column against Guelph - Kitchener Rangers
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