Sports stats



OHL Flint Firebirds

Moore's Hat-Trick Propels Flint for Fifth Win in Last Six Games

February 12, 2017 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Flint, Mich. - Ryan Moore had a hand in all four of Flint's goals, including a hat-trick performance to lift the Firebirds to a 4-2 victory over the Guelph Storm on Sunday afternoon. The win was Flint's fifth in their last six games, recording 11 out of a possible 12 points in that time. Flint improved their record to 26-21-1-4 (.548) on the season and is now in seventh-place in the Western Conference.

Moore opened the scoring for the Firebirds when he buried his 30th goal of the season 7:01 into the first period on a breakaway. Maurizio Colella dished a pass to a streaking Moore at center-ice who deked to his forehand and fired a shot top shelf, over the glove of Liam Herbst to earn Flint a 1-0 lead. Moore's goal extended his point streak to six consecutive games. The Firebirds led 1-0 after the first frame but trailed in shots 16-14.

Rookie Ryan Merkley evened the score, 1-1, less than four minutes into the second period after he cranked a slap-shot from the right point that beat Garrett Forrest for his eighth goal of the season.

Flint regained their lead when Moore buried his second goal of the night after he received a pass from Ty Dellandrea below the goal line. Moore fired a shot glove-side to put the Firebirds up 2-1 with 6:53 remaining in the middle period. After a 16-7 shot performance in the second period, the Firebirds had a 30-25 shot-advantage and led 2-1.

Colella doubled the Firebirds lead when he scored his 11th goal of the season at the 7:11 mark of the third period after he redirected a point-shot from Fedor Gordeev in front of the goal, beating Herbst over his right-shoulder to make the score 3-1.

The Storm cut the deficit to one goal with 7:08 remaining in the third frame after Merkley fed Nate Schnarr at the left-circle who one-timed the puck blocker-side past Forrest for his 13th goal of the season on the power-play.

With 1:43 remaining in the game, Dellandrea made an unselfish and skilled play to find Moore in the slot with an empty net. Moore recorded a hat-trick, moving him into fifth among all OHL skaters in points.

The Firebirds and Storm each registered 39 shots on goal. Both Flint and Guelph were one-for-three on the power-play. Moore collected first star honors after he buried three goals and recorded an assist. Colella earned the second star after he scored once and tallied two assists and Forrest tallied the third star after making 37 saves on 39 shots.

Next up for the Firebirds, Flint will travel to Owen Sound, Ont. for a Wednesday night game. Puck drops at 7 p.m. at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.

Next Home Game:

The Firebirds are back at the Dort Federal Event Center this Saturday, Feb. 18 as Flint hosts the Sarnia Sting for a 7 p.m. puck drop. Saturday's contest is "Flint Tropics Night", where the Firebirds will be wearing teal and orange jersey's, similar to the movie Semi-Pro, starring Will Ferrell. There will be a live jersey auction immediately following the game where fans can bid on the game-worn "Flint Tropics Jerseys."

Single game tickets for the Flint Firebirds 2016-17 season are $12 for Bronze, $15 for Silver, $19 for Gold and $25 for VIP seating. All seats are reserved / assigned seating. Parking has been reduced to $5 dollars which is new this season. Fans can purchase tickets at the Dort Federal Event Center Box Office or online by clicking ticketmaster.com.

Check out the Flint Firebirds Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 12, 2017


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