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OHL Flint Firebirds

Flint Scores Season-High Six Goals to Complete Weekend Sweep in Erie

October 30, 2021 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Erie, Pa. - The Firebirds scored a season-high six goals in a 6-2 victory over the Erie Otters to complete the weekend sweep in Pennsylvania. Luke Cavallin had another stellar performance in goal, making 42 saves on 44 shots. Amadeus Lombardi and Zacharie Giroux each found twine twice, with Giroux also picking up an assist for a three-point night. Brennan Othmann (New York Rangers) added a three-point night and Braeden Kressler (Toronto Maple Leafs) a two-point night (1 G, 1 A). On special teams, Flint found power-play success scoring two goals on five chances while killing all four penalties successfully.

Flint was first to find twine, claiming the early lead at the 6:36 mark of the opening frame. Tag Bertuzzi found the open man with a pass from the right-wing wall to a streaking Zacharie Giroux up the center of the offensive zone. Giroux lifted a quick snapshot from high, between the circles that made its way over Lalonde's right shoulder and under the crossbar for his second goal and third point of the season. James Petrovski picked up the second assist on the play, the first of his OHL career.

Despite being outshot by the Otters 15-4 in the first 20 minutes of play, the 'Birds held onto the 1-0 lead. Erie received the only two power-play opportunities, but the defense and excellent play by Cavallin in net kept them off the scoreboard. The Otters held an 8-7 advantage in the faceoff circles after one period.

Amadeus Lombardi put the Firebirds up by two inside the first minute of the middle frame. Lombardi carried across the offensive blue line in a three-on-three transition. He passed to Othmann on the right-wing wall as they entered the zone. Othmann utilized the give-and-go to find Lombardi again in the left circle, and the first-year forward one-timed the puck far-side past the sliding Lalonde for his second of the campaign just 46 seconds in.

Erie captain Daniel D'Amato followed Elias Cohen into the zone with two Flint defenders in tow. D'Amato slowed as Cohen drew both rearguards and was able to find the stick of D'Amato for a quick one-timer. The puck lasered over Cavallin's left shoulder at 8:35 of the second period. Christian Kyrou picked up the second helper on D'Amato's first of the season.

Moments later, a broken play in the Erie zone and a breakout pass from Sahil Panwar resulted in Brennan Othmann with the puck two strides ahead of his defender in an all-out breakaway. He faked a forehand to the right, and then a backhand motion earned the commitment from Lalonde. Othmann held on just long enough to create space to backhand the puck at ice level just inside the far post for his fourth of the season at 10:33.

Good passing with the man-advantage led to Flint extending their to three late in the second. Othmann found Braden Kressler open with a cross-ice pass. Kressler one-timed it home on a back door play for his second of the campaign at 17:50. It was only the second power-play tally for the Firebirds thus far in the young 2021-22 season.

Erie continued to battle hard and it paid off in the final minute. Brendan Hoffman made a backhand pass from behind the Flint cage Cavallin's left. Elias Cohen was crashing the net and one-timed Hoffman's pass near-side over Cavallin's pad for his third of the season logged at 19:02. George Alboim was credited with the second assist.

After two periods of play, shots were 32-16 to Erie's favor.

The 'Birds potted a pair of third-period goals to extend their lead to 6-2. First, Zacharie Giroux lit the lamp from close range for the second time just as time expired on a Flint power play in the third. Dmitry Kuzmin (Winnipeg Jets) and Kressler assisted on the tally, logged at 2:49 of period three. Next, on the power play, Amadeus Lombardi flashed his speed coast-to-coast on the near side en-route to his second of the evening lifting a nifty backhand past LaLonde for his third of the season at 5:56. Rearguard Tyler Deline made the up-ice pass to Lombardi, who simply outpaced his defender to create space and light the lamp.

Final shots on goal were 44-21 favoring the Otters. Faceoffs also went Erie's way 29-23.

Next Game: The Firebirds return to home ice Wednesday, November 3 when they host the Windsor Spitfires for the first time this season. Puck drop for Buy One, Get One Wednesday is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ET). Fans can purchase one ticket and get one of equal value free. Tickets are on sale NOW here: ETIX.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 30, 2021


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