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OHL Flint Firebirds

Preview: Firebirds Host CHL's Best Sunday in Flint

November 22, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Flint Firebirds Goaltender Kyle Keyser in Action
Flint Firebirds Goaltender Kyle Keyser in Action
(Flint Firebirds)

The Flint Firebirds return home to the Dort Federal Event Center today for a 5 p.m. (ET) contest against the Erie Otters who are currently in first place in the Western Conference and ranked number one among all 60 teams in the CHL.

Due to inclement weather, the Flint Firebirds have extended their Inaugural Season Ticket Holder Redemption Night to today's game against the Otters.

Also, fans that purchased individual or group tickets for the game vs. Barrie last night but were unable to attend, may exchange their tickets for tonight's game as well.

For more information, please call the Dort Federal Event Center Box Office at (810) 744-0580. The box office will open at 10 a.m. Sunday morning.

Radio & TV Coverage

Fans unable to attend today's game can listen live in Flint and Mid-Michigan on 1330 AM WTRX Sports Radio and around the world online on the iHeartRadio app. Dominic Hennig will call the play-by-play action on the Flint Firebirds Hockey Radio Network. Pregame coverage will begin at 4:30 p.m.

Sunday's game against the Otters will be televised live across the province of Ontario on the OHL Action Pak on Rogers channel 456. OHL fans with Rogers Cable in Ontario can add the OHL Action Pak to their television plan to catch the Firebirds in action, home or away all season long. Along with Saturday afternoon's game, 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 Pack.

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:

Connor Chatham is currently on a three game point streak recording one goal and five assists for a total of six points. Will Bitten leads the Firebirds with 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points in 21 games played this season. Bitten is currently 13th overall in the OHL in scoring. Vili Saarijärvi (Detroit '15) has four goals and 14 assists in 21 games played and is tied for third for OHL defenseman with 18 points.

Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (Carolina '14) has a 6-5-1 record with a .903 save percentage and a 3.32 goals against average. Rookie goaltender Kyle Keyser has a 1-2 record and a .916 save percentage including a 2.77 goals against average.

There are five players on the Flint Firebirds roster that are drafted in the National Hockey League. Alex Nedeljkovic and Josh Wesley were both selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2014 NHL Draft. In the same draft, the New Jersey Devils nabbed Connor Chatham while Alex Peters was chosen by the Dallas Stars. Most recently, Vili Saarijärvi was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings this past June in the 2015 NHL Draft.

In addition, Will Bitten, Nicholas Caamano, Jacob Collins, http://www.flintfirebirds.com/article/erie112215 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 22, 2015

Preview: Firebirds Host CHL's Best Sunday in Flint

The Flint Firebirds return home to the Dort Federal Event Center today for a 5 p.m. (ET) contest against the Erie Otters who are currently in first place in the Western Conference and ranked number one among all 60 teams in the CHL.

Due to inclement weather, the Flint Firebirds have extended their Inaugural Season Ticket Holder Redemption Night to today's game against the Otters.

Also, fans that purchased individual or group tickets for the game vs. Barrie last night but were unable to attend, may exchange their tickets for tonight's game as well.

For more information, please call the Dort Federal Event Center Box Office at (810) 744-0580. The box office will open at 10 a.m. Sunday morning.

Radio & TV Coverage Fans unable to attend today's game can listen live in Flint and Mid-Michigan on 1330 AM WTRX Sports Radio and around the world online on the iHeartRadio app . Dominic Hennig will call the play-by-play action on the Flint Firebirds Hockey Radio Network. Pregame coverage will begin at 4:30 p.m.

Sunday's game against the Otters will be televised live across the province of Ontario on the OHL Action Pak on Rogers channel 456. OHL fans with Rogers Cable in Ontario can add the OHL Action Pak to their television plan to catch the Firebirds in action, home or away all season long. Along with Saturday afternoon's game, 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 Pack.

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:

Connor Chatham is currently on a three game point streak recording one goal and five assists for a total of six points. Will Bitten leads the Firebirds with 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points in 21 games played this season. Bitten is currently 13^th overall in the OHL in scoring. Vili Saarijärvi (Detroit '15) has four goals and 14 assists in 21 games played and is tied for third for OHL defenseman with 18 points.

Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (Carolina '14) has a 6-5-1 record with a .903 save percentage and a 3.32 goals against average. Rookie goaltender Kyle Keyser has a 1-2 record and a .916 save percentage including a 2.77 goals against average.

There are five players on the Flint Firebirds roster that are drafted in the National Hockey League. Alex Nedeljkovic and Josh Wesley were both selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2014 NHL Draft. In the same draft, the New Jersey Devils nabbed Connor Chatham while Alex Peters was chosen by the Dallas Stars. Most recently, Vili Saarijärvi was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings this past June in the 2015 NHL Draft.

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

Erie:

The Erie Otters travel to Flint after recording a 3-2 win in Saginaw on Saturday night and are on a six game win streak.

Alex DeBrincat leads the Ontario Hockey League in points with 42 through 21 games played this season. Arizona Coyotes draft pick Dylan Strome is third in the OHL with 10 goals and 27 assists for 37 points in 18 games played.

Devin Williams leads the Otters in net with a 16-0-1-0 record, a .920 save percentage and a 2.32 goals against average.

NHL Central Scouting has identified Alex Debrincat to be selected in the first round in the upcoming 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo.

The Erie Otters saw ten players attend NHL training camps this fall: Nick Baptiste (Buffalo), Nick Betz (Detroit), Travis Dermott (Toronto), Remi Elie (Dallas), Jake Marchment (Los Angeles), Mason Marchment (Calgary), Connor McDavid, Edmonton), Kyle Pettit (Vancouver), Darren Raddysh (St. Louis) and Dylan Strome (Arizona).

Special Teams

After last night's game the Firebirds' power-play is 11th out of 20 teams in the OHL converting at a 17.9% success-rate scoring 15 goals on 84 opportunities. On the penalty kill, the Firebirds are currently 11^th in the OHL, operating at 79.3% . Flint has scored two shorthanded goals and has successfully killed 74 of 93 penalties this season. Flint is ranked 9^th in the league for penalty minutes per game with a 13.2 PIM/GM average. The Erie Otters are sitting with the 2^nd least in the OHL with a 9.0 PIM/GM average.

Next Home Game On Wednesday, Nov. 25, the Firebirds host in-state rival, Saginaw Spirit for College Night. $2 beers and $2 hot dogs will be on sale throughout the game. The Firebirds are also teaming up with C&L Ward and Catholic Charities to support the "Stuff the Van" charity drive which begins 25 days of giving leading up to Christmas. The Firebirds will be collecting non-perishable food items, toiletries and winter wear at the Dort Federal Event Center starting today. Sponsored by The Hamo Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, Firebirds' fans can bring in three or more of these items to receive one free bronze level ticket to the game.

The Firebirds pregame party always begins two hours prior to puck drop and will feature drinks, food and music until game time.

Saarijärvi Tabbed as OHL Defenseman of the Month Flint Firebirds 18 year-old blueliner Vili Saarijärvi was named the OHL Defenseman of the Month in November. The Detroit Red Wings prospect put together an outstanding first full month in the OHL, scoring two goals along with 9 assists for 11 points in 11 contests to go with a plus/minus rating of plus-9.

The Finnish rearguard registered points in seven of his 11 October appearances, scoring his first OHL goal as part of a two-goal effort against the Ottawa 67's on October 16th. Saarijärvi had three multi-point performances, including three assists against the Peterborough Petes on October 11th. Saarijärvi is currently tied for the lead in scoring among OHL defensemen with two goals, 14 assists and 16 points in 14 games.

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 Shane Stout to book your group outing today: (810) 742-2004 or via email at shane@flintfirebirds.com (mailto:shane@flintfirebirds.com) .

Flint Firebirds Hockey Radio Coach's Show Join the Voice of the Firebirds Dominic Hennig and Head Coach John Gruden from 6-7 p.m. every Tuesday night on 1330 WTRX Sports Radio and around the world online on the iHeartRadio App here . Hennig and Gruden 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.

Tweet Your Seat! Follow the Flint Firebirds on Twitter @FlintFirebirds, take a selfie in your seat then "Tweet Your Seat" at each of this weekend's home games for a chance to win four NCG movie tickets, courtesy of Dort Federal Credit Union.

Check out the Flint Firebirds Statistics




Images from this story

Flint Firebirds Goaltender Kyle Keyser in Action
Flint Firebirds Goaltender Kyle Keyser in Action
   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 22, 2015


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