OHL Flint Firebirds

Firebirds Suffer First Loss in Flint to Windsor on "Teddy Bear Toss Night"

Published on December 3, 2016 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Firebirds Suffer First Loss in Flint to Windsor on
Firebirds Suffer First Loss in Flint to Windsor on "Teddy Bear Toss Night"
(Flint Firebirds, Credit: Amanda Ray/Flint Firebirds Hockey Club)

Flint, Mich. - Ryan Moore scored his 16th goal of the season, Everett Clark extended his point streak to nine games and Connor Hicks made 23 saves as the Firebirds fell to the Spitfires 2-1 before more than 3,000 fans on "Teddy Bear Toss Night" at the Dort Federal Event Center Saturday. Over 1,000 stuffed animals were collected for the Ennis Center for Children, Hurley Medical Center, Michigan State Police and the Whaley Childrens Center, more than doubling last year's collection of stuffed animals.

The Spitfires got on the board first when Aaron Luchuk scored his 11th goal of the season on a five-on-three power-play. From the top of the left circle, Mikhail Sergachev (Montreal Canadiens) fed the puck below the left circle to Graham Knott (Chicago Blackhawks). Knott quickly dished the puck to Aaron Luchuk in the slot who fired the puck past Connor Hicks to earn Windsor a 1-0 lead 3:08 into the first frame.

Moore tied-up the game when he scored his 16th goal of the season with six seconds remaining in the first period on the power-play. The tally was Flint's ninth on the man-advantage in the past five games. Ty Dellandrea skated behind the Spitfires' goal and fed a pass to Mathieu Henderson along the left-wing boards. Henderson then found Everett Clark on the left-side of the net who backhanded it to Moore backdoor. Moore buried, tying the score 1-1 and unleashing the stuffed animals for the Firebirds second annual "Teddy Bear Toss Night." Clarks assist increased his point-streak to nine consecutive games.

Cristiano DiGiacinto scored his fifth goal of the season 13 seconds into the second period after the Spitfires converted on a two-on-one. Sergachev passed the puck to DiGiacinto at center-ice before one-touching a pass to a streaking Luchuk who skated into the Firebird's zone on a two-on-one. Luchuk dished the puck through a Flint defender and onto the tape of DiGiacinto in the slot who went backhand, forehand to beat Hicks and earnning Windsor a 2-1 lead. Despite trailing 2-1, the Firebirds outshot the Spitfires 29-15 through 40 minutes of play. Windsor held on for the 2-1 victory, their first in Flint in three games this season.

Flint outshot Windsor 37-25. Both teams were one-for-three on the power-play. Hicks made 23 saves on 25 shots.

The Firebirds finish their three game weekend Sunday afternoon in London. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. against the London Knights at the Budweiser Gardens (capacity 9,046). Sunday afternoon's game will be televised live in London on channel 13 for Rogers TV cable subscribers and throughout the province of Ontario on channel 454 for Rogers TV cable subscribers and channel 484 for Cogeco TV cable subscribers. The contest can also be heard live around the world online on the Sports Xtra 1330 Radio app here. Pregame coverage with Dominic Hennig will begin 30 minutes prior to puck drop at 1:30 p.m.

Next Home Game:

The Firebirds next home game is Wednesday December 28th against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Wednesday's game is College Night featuring $2 beers & $2 hot dogs for all fans in attendance. In addition, college student's with valid I.D. receive $2 off their tickets. Flint is then home Friday, Dec. 30 against the Saginaw Spirit for Star Wars Night.

Single game tickets for the Flint Firebirds 2016-17 season are $12 for Bronze, $15 for Silver, $19 for Gold and $25 for VIP seating. Prices are unchanged from last season and all seats are reserved / assigned seating. Fans can purchase tickets at the Dort Federal Event Center Box Office or online by clicking ticketmaster.com.

Check out the Flint Firebirds Statistics

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Images from this story

Firebirds Suffer First Loss in Flint to Windsor on
Firebirds Suffer First Loss in Flint to Windsor on "Teddy Bear Toss Night"
(Amanda Ray/Flint Firebirds Hockey Club)		   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 3, 2016


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