Firebirds Seek Bounce Back Effort on Saturday against Ottawa
February 3, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release
FLINT, Mich. - The Firebirds entered Friday night's game against the Barrie Colts having won back-to-back road games but ultimately fell on home ice, 4-2. Now they look to get back in the win column against an Ottawa team who has points in each of its last five games. Puck drop for the Firebirds and the 67's is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Dort Financial Center.
LAST TIME OUT: Oliver Peer scored twice before the Colts netted two in the final two minutes to escape with a 4-2 win over the Birds on Friday. Nathan Day posted 21 saves on 24 shots in the losing effort. Peer's second marker was netted on a power play where the club finished 1-for-2. The Firebirds dropped to 0-7-0-0 in franchise history on home ice against the Colts.
SERIES HISTORY: Saturday's contest is the second of two meetings between these clubs this season and is the lone tilt to be played at the Dort Financial Center. Back on December 2, the Birds defeated the 67's in overtime at the TD Place by a final score of 4-3. Marko Stojkov was the game's first star with a goal and an assist. Flint's all-time record against Ottawa is 5-5-2-1 with a mark of 3-2-1-0 in home games.
SCOUTING THE 67's: (23-17-4-1, 3rd East Division) -
Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Luca Pinelli has scored the third-most goals (30) in the OHL and tops Ottawa with 51 points in 45 games. His 12 power-play goals are tied for second in the league. Braeden Kressler, a former Firebirds center and a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, sits second with 20 tallies and 28 helpers for 48 points through 42 games. Sophomore defenseman Henry Mews has 40 points from combining eight goals with 32 assists and has also played in 42 games this season.
In goal, former Firebirds netminder Ian Michelone has nine wins in 21 appearances for Ottawa. His goals-against average is 4.26 and his save percentage sits at .870. Collin MacKenzie is in his third year in the OHL and has appeared in 20 contests. He carries a 3.14 GAA with a .902 SV% and is also credited with nine victories.
The 67's rank eighth on the power play with a 22.4% success rate. Their penalty kill is getting the job done at a rate of 76.3% which ranks 15th.
SCOUTING THE FIREBIRDS: (19-24-2-1, 3rd West Division) -
Oliver Peer remains atop the scoresheet in goals (28), assists (30), and points (58). He's tied for the eighth-most goals in the OHL, and he's scored the first goal of the game (8) more times than anyone in the league. Anaheim Ducks prospect Coulson Pitre is second with 22 goals and 23 assists. Nolan Dann has 17 tallies and 24 helpers to rank third with 41 points.
Nathan Day has played in 39 games for the Firebirds this year. He has 17 wins and carries a goals-against average of 3.82 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 17.3% clip. The penalty kill is operating at 78.5% which ranks 12th.
PROMOTIONS: Saturday's contest is Family Night, sponsored by Flint Walk to End Alzheimer's. A Family 4-Pack of silver level tickets is available for only $56 on etix.com and at the Dort Financial Center Box Office. Seniors 55 and up can purchase silver level tickets for only $12 (at the box office only).
BROADCAST COVERAGE: This evening's game against the Ottawa 67's 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 return to home ice Wednesday to host the London Knights on another 'Buy one, Get one FREE Wednesday.' More details are available on flintfirebirds.com and tickets are available from ETIX.COM.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2024
- Petes Hit $1,000,000 Total Over 15 Years of Pink in the Rink - Peterborough Petes
- Rangers' Win Streak Against Erie Ends - Kitchener Rangers
- Gibbons Shines in First Win with 25 Saves, Terrance Nets Pair in 6-1 Crush of Kitchener - Erie Otters
- Sapovaliv Nets OT Winner, Parekh Makes Spirit History Saturday Against Colts - Saginaw Spirit
- Romani's 40th Halts Bulldogs' Comeback in 6-4 Defeat - Brantford Bulldogs
- Ewles, Firebirds Force OT But Fall to 67's, 3-2 - Flint Firebirds
- Firebirds Seek Bounce Back Effort on Saturday against Ottawa - Flint Firebirds
- Rangers Travel to Erie for the Second Time this Season on Saturday Night - Kitchener Rangers
- Spirit Host Colts Saturday Night - Saginaw Spirit
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