OHL Flint Firebirds

Firebirds Roll in Peterborough, 4-1

December 1, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


PETERBOROUGH, Ont. - Zacharie Giroux scored twice and three more Firebirds had two-point nights as Flint cruised to a 4-1 victory over the Eastern Conference-leading Peterborough Petes on Thursday night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

It took Flint just 67 seconds to find the back of the net in the first period. Marko Stojkov fed Simon Slavicek who ripped a slap shot from the high slot. Coulson Pitre took a swing at the rebound but Liam Sztuska made two quick saves. Pitre's second attempt at his own rebound sent the puck under the right pad for the 1-0 lead.

In an eerily similar fashion, the Birds scored exactly one minute into the middle frame to double their lead. This time Matthew Jenken took the initial slap shot from the right point. The puck deflected off a defender's equipment in the slot and bounced directly to Slavicek waiting at the bottom of the right circle. Slavicek sent the loose puck past Sztuska, extending the Flint lead to 2-0.

Just past the midway point of the contest, Gavin Hayes spun in the right-wing circle and wristed a shot on goal. Sztuska made the save but it deflected off the far post and onto the stick of Giroux on the back door. Giroux flipped the puck into the net and the score was 3-0.

The Petes found their way onto the scoreboard late in the second period when Montreal Canadians prospect Owen Beck danced around a defender along the right wall. He worked himself loose and lasered a snapshot into the top corner inside the far post. Beck's sixth goal in the past five games cut the home club's deficit to 3-1 with five minutes to go until the second intermission.

Peterborough called Sztuska to the bench with less than three minutes to play and Flint on a power play. It didn't take long for the Firebirds to cash in as Hayes snapped a cross-ice pass to Giroux. He flicked a wrist shot into the empty net, pushing the score to its 4-1 final.

Giroux and Hayes extended their point streaks to five games each, with Giroux logging his 49th and 50th career OHL goals. Hayes also earned career point 161, moving him into a tie for second all-time in franchise scoring. Nathan Day picked up his 10th win of the season with 29 saves on 30 shots.

The Firebirds improved to 12-11-1-1 on the season and 9-5-0-0 in road games with the win. Peterborough fell to 13-6-3-1 in the loss. Flint will continue its road swing on Saturday afternoon in Ottawa with a meeting with the 67's. Puck drop at TD Place Arena is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Story: Brandon Mills // flintfirebirds.com

Check out the Flint Firebirds Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 1, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central