NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Flint Firebirds

Firebirds Unable to Solve Otters Before Capacity Crowd in Flint Friday

December 28, 2018 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Flin Firebirds center Kyle Harris works behind the Erie Otters goal
Flin Firebirds center Kyle Harris works behind the Erie Otters goal
(Flint Firebirds)

Flint, Mich. - The Firebirds resumed OHL action Friday night, hosting the Erie Otters in front a near capacity crowd of 3,696 fans at the Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center. Erie skated away with a 9-2 decision in their favor. Flint netminder Evan Morrison earned his second career OHL start, making 31 saves in his first appearance on home ice. Riley McCourt and Eric Uba scored for Flint, and first-year players Evan Vierling and Vladislav Kolyachonok picked up points in the contest. On special teams, Flint was unable to solve netminder Daniel Murphy with two chances, while the Otters scored on one of two opportunities with the man-advantage.

Defenseman Riley McCourt earned the Firebirds the initial lead, scoring unassisted at 2:30 of the first period. After making a move around an Otter forward at the offensive blue line, McCourt skated into the left circle and fired a wrister toward the far post. The shot sailed over netminder Daniel Murphy's left pad, far-side, earning McCourt his fourth of the season.

Erie responded with two unanswered goals. First, they tied the game at 7:21 on Maxim Golod's sixth of the campaign from the right circle, assisted by Chad Yetman and Kyle Maksimovich. Yetman's pass from below the goal line found Golod on the doorstep, where he was able to snipe a snap-shot between rookie netminder Evan Morrison and the near post from the right side of the slot. Then, the visitors' claimed the lead at 13:36 of the first on Yetman's 14th tally of the season. On the power-play, Golod fired the initial shot from deep inside the right circle, that was turned aside by Morrison. Gera Poddubnyi pounced on the rebound and fed Yetman across the slot for the back-door redirection. First period shots favored Erie 16-12.

The Otters lit-the-lamp three straight times in the second period. At 6:14, Danial Singer scored his seventh on a two-on-one opportunity with Joseph Mack. Mack and Emmett Sproule picked up the helpers on the play. Maksimovich then scored his 17th and 18th of the season 29 seconds apart. At 10:25, his marker was assisted by Golod. Yetman assisted on Maksimovich's second goal at 10:54. The second period concluded with the visitors on top 5-1 lead. Erie outshot Flint 12-6 in the middle frame, for a two-period edge of 28-18.

There were five third-period goals, four from the visitors. Golod scored his second of the night and seventh of the season 59 seconds in to the third period, unassisted. Eric Uba put the Firebirds back on the scoreboard at 4:28, netting his 13th of the campaign on a one-timer from the left side of the net. Jacob Winterton and Vladislav Kolyachonok earned the assists on the play. The Otters scored three more times late to complete the game. Maksimovich recorded his second hat-trick of the season, picking up his team-leading 19th goal at 8:31, assisted by Yetman. Elias Cohen scored for his fourth of the season at 14:34, assisted by Brendan Sellan. The last tally of the night was the first of the season for Daniel D'Amato at 18:17. Sellan and Jamie Drysdale were credited with the assists. The final shots finished 40-29 in favor of Erie.

Next Home Game: The Firebirds are back at it Saturday evening, hosting the Windsor Spitfires for 'Superhero Night.' The Firebirds accepted submissions from fans to recognize local superheroes prior to the contest. All submissions will be printed off and posted on the concourse walls at the Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center for fans to read throughout the Firebirds' game.

Additionally, the Firebirds have launched a superhero cape donation drive to benefit the Flint Firebirds Foundation, which was created to support education, healthy living and youth sports in Genesee County and surrounding areas. Fans are able to donate $1, $5 or $10 to the foundation and in return, they can write their name on a cape of their choice. Those capes will be on display throughout the Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center for all fans to recognize.

Also, bring out your 'inner Thor' as all fans will receive thunderstix courtesy of Dort Federal Credit Union. Popular superheroes will also be available for photos and to interact with on the Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center concourse throughout the game.

Check out the Flint Firebirds Statistics




Images from this story

Flin Firebirds center Kyle Harris works behind the Erie Otters goal
Flin Firebirds center Kyle Harris works behind the Erie Otters goal
   

• Discuss this story on the Ontario Hockey League message board...

Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 28, 2018


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