Flint Drops Soo on New Year's Eve, 3-1
Published on December 31, 2025 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release
Ryland Cunningham and Brady Smith of the Flint Firebirds react after a goal
(Flint Firebirds, Credit: Soo Greyhounds)
SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. - Chris Thibodeau scored twice, Mason Vaccari made 21 saves and the Flint Firebirds beat the Soo Greyhounds, 3-1, on New Year's Eve at GFL Memorial Gardens.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Firebirds got the scoring started late in the first period with a power play goal. Thibodeau carried the puck down the right wing and fed it towards the front of the net. It deflected off a skate and bounced through Landon Miller to make the score 1-0.
Flint struck again at the midway point of the second period when Ryland Cunningham found Brady Smith alone at the blue line to burn in with a breakaway. Smith skated in a snapped a wrist shot high past Miller's glove, giving the Firebirds a 2-0 advantage.
The Greyhounds got on the board just 16 seconds into the third period. Jordan Charron hit Quinn McKenzie who was speeding through center ice. He flicked a wrist shot through Vaccari's legs and the score was 2-1. Flint quickly answered though as less than 30 second later, Kevin He hit Thibodeau in neutral ice and he outraced the defense on his way to the net. Thibodeau put a move on a snapped a shot past Miller as the Birds went ahead, 3-1.
That would be all of the scoring as the Firebirds earned the win to improve to 25-8-2-2. Soo fell to 21-13-1-1 with its loss.
POSTGAME NOTES:
Kevin He picked up an assist in his Firebirds debut...Chris Thibodeau recorded his second two-goal game of the season...Brady Smith scored against his former team for the first time since being traded from Soo to Flint.
UP NEXT:
The Firebirds will hit the ice for the first time in 2026 on Friday night in London against the London Knights. Puck drop at Canada Life Place is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Images from this story
 Ryland Cunningham and Brady Smith of the Flint Firebirds react after a goal (Soo Greyhounds) |
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