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)

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.

Ryland Cunningham and Brady Smith of the Flint Firebirds react after a goal (Soo Greyhounds)

Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2025

• Plante and Agrette Find Back of Net as Otters Fall to Bulldogs - Erie Otters
• Generals Fall Short to IceDogs in Overtime - Oshawa Generals
• Flint Drops Soo on New Year's Eve, 3-1 - Flint Firebirds
• Battaglia Scores a Pair, Leads as the Frontenacs Close out the Year on Home Ice - Kingston Frontenacs
• Spirit Unable to Solve Costanzo in Windsor Wednesday Night - Saginaw Spirit
• Rangers Close out the Year with 4-2 Win over Battalion - Kitchener Rangers
• Former Attack Jordan Binnington and Nick Suzuki Selected for Team Canada's 2026 Olympic Winter Games Roster - Owen Sound Attack
• Game Day - December 31 - GUE at KGN - Guelph Storm
• Game Postponed: Owen Sound Attack at Brampton Steelheads, December 31, 2025 - Owen Sound Attack
• Game Preview: Saginaw Spirit at Windsor Spitfires - Saginaw Spirit
• OHL Announces Postponed Game Between Brampton and Owen Sound - OHL
• Kitchener Caps off the Calendar Year with a Showdown in North Bay - Kitchener Rangers
• Generals Begin Back-To-Back on the Road against IceDogs - Oshawa Generals
• Game Day, Game 37, Firebirds at Greyhounds - 4:07 p.m. - Flint Firebirds
• McLean and Hopkins Face off Just Days After Trading Places - Kingston Frontenacs

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.

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