OHL Flint Firebirds

Firebirds Welcome League-Leading Rangers to Town on Sunday Afternoon

November 26, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


FLINT, Mich. - The Firebirds face the OHL's league-leader on Sunday afternoon when the Kitchener Rangers come to town for the second time this year. Flint is looking to win back-to-back contests for just the fourth time this season while the Blue Shirts aim to snap a two-game skid. Puck drop is set for 4:00 p.m. at the Dort Financial Center.

LAST TIME OUT: The Birds dominated the Niagara IceDogs at the Dort Financial Center Saturday with a commanding 7-3 victory. Gavin Hayes scored twice, both Braeden Kressler and Zacharie Giroux chipped in a goal and two assists, and Nathan Day recorded 35 saves to earn his ninth win of the campaign. Markas Samenas recorded his first two-point game with a goal and an assist and both Dallas Stars prospect Tristan Bertucci and Kaden Pitre had a pair of helpers.

SERIES HISTORY: Sunday marks the second of four meetings between Flint and Kitchener this season, and is the second and final game they'll play at the Dort Financial Center. The Rangers spoiled the Firebirds home opener back on September 30 with an 8-0 pounding led by four-point efforts from Adrian Misaljevic (2 G, 2 A) and Hunter Brzustewicz (4 A). Last season Flint won three of four meetings between these clubs, including both on home ice. The Birds' all-time record versus Kitchener stands at 15-13-2-0 with a home record of 6-9-1-0.

SCOUTING THE RANGERS: (17-7-0-0, 1st Midwest Division) -

Kitchener's top three players in scoring are also the top three point-getters in the OHL. Carson Rehkoph leads the league in game-winning goals (5), total goals (25), and total points (45) through 24 games played. Washington, Mich. native defenseman Hunter Brzustewicz tops the league with 34 assists and sits second with 40 total points. In third for both the Blue Shirts and the OHL is Matthew Sop with 37 points (14 G, 23 A).

Third-year goaltender Jackson Parsons has assumed the starting role this year and is putting up impressive numbers. He leads the league with 12 wins in 18 appearances, including the OHL's best four shutouts. He also ranks first with a 2.42 goals-against average and his .919 save percentage is third-best. Tristan Malboef has five wins across eight appearances and carries a 3.65 GAA with an .846 SV%.

The Rangers rank inside the top five in both facets of special teams, scoring on 28.9% of their power chances (2nd) and killing off 83.3% of their penalties (5th) successfully.

SCOUTING THE FIREBIRDS: (11-10-1-1, 3rd West Division) -

Flint captain Giroux jumped back to the team lead in points after collecting three points last night. He's combined 11 tallies with a team-leading 17 helpers for 28 total points. Chicago Blackhawks prospect Hayes leads the Birds with 17 goals and is second with 27 points. His 17 markers are tied for fourth-most in the OHL to date. Kressler, the Maple Leafs prospect, is third with 26 points, stemming from 11 goals and 15 helpers. He's produced multiple points in ten of 20 games played this season.

Between the pipes, Edmonton Oilers prospect Nathan Day has nine wins through 19 appearances. His goals-against average is now 4.00 while his save percentage sits at .864. Rookie Jacob Brown has two wins in six appearances and his GAA sits at 4.32 with an .855 SV%.

The Birds rank 16th on the power play with a 14.7% success rate. The penalty kill is clicking at an 80.0% clip, now the OHL's tenth-best.

ODDS AND ENDS: Simon Slavicek recorded an assist in last night's game and extended his active point streak to 12 games (5 G, 12 A)... The Birds have gone 3-4-0-1 against opponents from the Midwest Division this season... Despite having the league's best overall record, Kitchener carries a road record of 6-5-0-0.

BROADCAST COVERAGE: This afternoon's game against the Kitchener Rangers 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 pre-game show at 3:45 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.

PROMOTIONS: Sunday's game is Flint's annual Princesses and Superheroes Night. Fans of all ages are encouraged to dress up as their favorite princess or superhero! It's also another Family Funday Sunday, where the purchase of one adult silver or bronze ticket gets you up to two kids tickets for free.

COMING UP: The Birds will embark on a three-game road trip next week that features with stops in Peterborough, Ottawa, and Kingston. Flint will then return home on Saturday, December 9 to host the Saginaw Spirit for another installment of the I-75 Divide Cup, presented by Coors Light. Saginaw holds a 3-1 advantage in the eight-game series. Tickets for the December 9 rivalry tilt are available now from ETIX.COM.

Check out the Flint Firebirds Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 26, 2023


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