OHL Flint Firebirds

Preview: Firebirds Face off against Greyhounds Wednesday Night

Published on February 22, 2016 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Essar Centre, Home of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Essar Centre, Home of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
(Flint Firebirds, Credit: Kevin Jordan / OHL Arena Guide)

The Flint Firebirds head north this week for a Wednesday night battle against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Wednesday marks the fourth of sixth games between the two clubs this season. Puck drop is set for 7:07 p.m. (EST) at the Essar Centre (capacity 4,928).

The Greyhounds (27-21-7-1, 3rd West Division) are currently leading the season series with a 3-0 record over the Firebirds (17-33-4-2, 5th West Division). The two teams met for the first time on Oct. 7 where Flint's come-from-behind attempt was not enough, falling 4-3. On Nov. 14, Flint received their first overtime loss of the season at home to the Greyhounds also by a 4-3 score. Flint's Jacob Collins, Vili Saarijärvi and Ryan Moore gave the Firebirds an early 3-0 lead in the first period, however, the Greyhounds would respond by scoring two goals in the second period and one in the third to tie the contest at 3. Boris Katchouk scored the game winning goal on a Greyhound power play to earn the Soo the OT victory.

The most recent meeting with the Greyhounds was on home ice in Flint on Jan. 3. Dane Johnstone picked up the first goal of the game, but the Firebirds trailed the rest of the contest 4-1. Gabe Guertler scored twice, Zachary Senyshyn and Bobby MacIntyre each added a goal as well. While the Firebirds were on a power play in the 3rd period with 0:42 left in the game, Mathieu Henderson found the back of the net past goalie Joseph Raaymakers to make the score 4-2, but it was not be enough for Flint to make a comeback. (Watch Highlights).

Radio & TV Coverage

Fans unable to attend the game Saturday can listen live in Flint and Mid-Michigan on 1570 AM and online on the 1330 AM WTRX Sports Radio app or the iHeartRadio App. Dominic Hennig will call the play-by-play action on the Flint Firebirds Hockey Radio Network with pregame coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Although Wednesday's contest marks only the third game all season that will not have live television coverage, OHL fans with cable television in Ontario can add the OHL Action Pak to their television plan to catch the Firebirds in action for the majority of games, home or away all season long. 64 of the Firebirds' 68 games throughout the 2015-16 season are also scheduled to be televised live across the province of Ontario on the OHL Action Pak.

All Flint Firebirds home and away games throughout the 2015-16 season can be watched anywhere in the world online on OHL Live and on the OHL Live App. OHL Live is a league video streaming platform that delivers high quality live and on-demand coverage of all regular season and playoff games annually. The cost is $6.99 per game, $69.99 for Flint Firebirds away games only, $179.99 for all 68 home and away Firebirds games and $279.99 for all 1,360 OHL games throughout the 2015-16 season.

Players to Watch:

Flint:

Ryan Moore has been on a point streak for the Firebirds in the month of February, posting 10 points in the nine games this month. Moore has six goals in those nine games and is second on the team for points with 39 points in 56 games this season.

Will Bitten leads the Firebirds with 54 points in 55 games and has tallied 5 points in the last six games. Bitten has earned multi-point nights 13 times in this campaign and is considered a top prospect heading into the NHL Draft this June.

Defenseman Vili Saarijärvi (Detroit '15) is third on the team with 11 goals and 33 points in 47 games this season. He is currently ranked 17th among all the defenseman in the OHL in points.

In net, Brent Moran (Dallas '14) holds a 3.62 goals against average (GAA) and a .888 save percentage (SAV%). Although Moran tallied a loss Saturday night, he produced 33 saves on 37 attempts and has a 12-22-4-0 record in his 4th campaign in the OHL.

Flint's rookie netminder Kyle Keyser has a 3.60 GAA and a .899 SAV%. Rounding out the Firebirds' crease is rookie netminder Matthew Menna. Menna has a 4.57 GAA and a .866 SV%.

In addition, Will Bitten, Nicholas Caamano, Jacob Collins, Dane Johnstone, Matyáš Kantner, Luke Kirwan and Håkon Nilsen are eligible to be selected in the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo in June.

Sault Ste. Marie

Blake Speers (New Jersey '15) leads the Greyhounds in points with 55 points, including 16 goals and 39 assists in 56 games played. Gabe Guertier follows closely behind with 53 points, 23 goals and 30 assists in 56 games. Zachary Senyshyn (Boston '15) is the leading scorer for Sault Ste. Marie with 35 goals, 17 assists and 52 points in 55 games played this season.

Defenseman Gustav Bouramman (Minnesota '15) is currently ranked 16th among all the defenseman in the OHL with 4 goals, 30 assists and 34 points in the 56 games that he has played in this season.

Both of the Greyhounds goaltenders have participated in roughly an equal amount of games this season. Brandon Halverson (New York Rangers '14) holds a 17-3-4-0 record with a 2.94 goals against average. Halverson is ranked 8th among all OHL netminders with a .909 save percentage. Joseph Raaymakers has a 10-8-3-1 record including a .892 save percentage and a 3.65 GAA.

Sault Ste. Marie has five players that are drafted by NHL clubs consisting of Gustav Bouramman (Minnesota), Brandon Halverson (New York Rangers), Zach Senyshyn (Boston), Blake Speers (New Jersey) and Colton White (New Jersey).

The Greyhounds have six players that are listed in the NHL Central Scouting's Midterm Rankings for the 2016 NHL Draft: Timothy Gettinger (#28), Boris Katchouk (#32), Jack Kopacka (#33) and Hayden Verbeek (#164). Joseph Raaymakers is the #4 listed goaltender in North America.

Special Teams:

The Firebirds have recorded at least one power play goal in four of the last six games but are still 19th out of 20 teams in the league on the man-advantage. Flint's power play is converting at a 13.1% success-rate, scoring 30 goals on 229 opportunities. On the penalty kill, the Firebirds are 17th in the OHL, currently operating at 76.8%. Flint has scored two shorthanded goals and has successfully killed 172 of 224 penalties this season. The Firebirds are near the middle of the pack with the 12th least minutes in the OHL recording an average of 11.9 minutes per game.

Sault Ste. Marie's power play is ranked 15th in the OHL, scoring 17.8% of the time and is 16th on the penalty kill at 77.5%. The Greyhounds have registered the least amount of penalty minutes being 20th in the OHL averaging 8.9 minutes in the box per game.

Next Home Game:

After making the trip north for a mid-week contest against Sault Ste. Marie, Flint will then host to the Greyhounds Friday night at 7:30 p.m. (EST) for Bob Perani Bobble Head Giveaway night. The first 1,000 fans will receive a customized Bob Perani Bobble Head, courtesy of Perani's Hockey World. It's also scout night! Troop leaders can book a group with Mary by calling (810) 744-0580 and all scouts will receive a special scout night patch.

Sault Ste. Marie has five players that are drafted by NHL clubs consisting of Gustav Bouramman (Minnesota), Brandon Halverson (New York Rangers), Zach Senyshyn (Boston), Blake Speers (New Jersey) and Colton White (New Jersey).

The Greyhounds have six players that are listed in the NHL Central Scouting's Midterm Rankings for the 2016 NHL Draft: Timothy Gettinger (#28), Boris Katchouk (#32), Jack Kopacka (#33) and Hayden Verbeek (#164). Joseph Raaymakers is the #4 listed goaltender in North America.

Single game tickets are $12/Bronze, $15/Silver, $19/Gold and $25/VIP and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com or by visiting or calling the Dort Federal Event Center Box Office Monday thru Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at (810) 744-0580. Saturday and Sunday game day box office hours begin at 10 a.m.

Firebirds Listed in NHL Draft Rankings

Three Flint Firebirds players are listed on the NHL Central Scouting's Midterm list which ranks North American skaters eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft this June in Buffalo, NY.Flint's Will Bitten is ranked #42 among North American skaters. Nicholas Caamano is listed #148 and Luke Kirwan is the third current Firebirds player at #166. (Read More)

Firebirds Raise Over $50,000 For Non-Profit Organizations

Since the Firebirds first major event in Flint, Michigan on February 20th (Detroit Red Wings & Flint Generals Alumni Event), Flint's newest hockey team, in just their first year in the region has raised over $50,000 for various non-profit organizations in Genesee County. (Read More)

Flint Firebirds Dressing Room & Facilities

Home of the Flint Firebirds, the Dort Federal Event Center received a multi-million dollar renovation in the summer of 2015 that provides the club a first class dressing room, facilities and other amenities to help the players and staff maximize their careers and goals to advance to the National Hockey League. Click here to see a photo album of the Flint Firebirds dressing room and facilities.

Group Ticket Packages

Whether you're entertaining corporate clients, celebrating a special occasion, having a fun night out with the family and friends or rewarding employees...we have a fun, easy and affordable plan for you. It's more than a ticket, it's an experience! Contact the Dort Federal Event Center Box Office at (810) 744-0580 for more information today

Flint Firebirds Hockey Radio Coach's Show

Join the Voice of the Firebirds Dominic Hennig from 6-7 p.m. every Tuesday night on 1330 WTRX Sports Radio and around the world online on the iHeartRadio App here. Hennig will recap the previous week of events, preview the upcoming games on the ice and take your phone calls, emails and tweets! Tune in each Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. on 1330 AM WTRX Sports Radio.

Firebirds Gear

Stop by the Flint Firebirds Merchandise Store at the Dort Federal Event Center, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. to stock up on the best Firebirds' gear around. Jerseys, shirts, hats, hoodies, game pucks, mouse pads and other accessories and collectables are available at the Flint Firebirds Merchandise Store.

Social Media

Stay connected with the Flint Firebirds 24-7-365. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Vine, YouTube, etc. Find all of the Firebirds social media handles online at www.flintfirebirds.com/socialmedia

Check out the Flint Firebirds Statistics

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Images from this story

Essar Centre, Home of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Essar Centre, Home of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
(Kevin Jordan / OHL Arena Guide)		   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2016


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