Preview: Firebirds, Spitfires Set to Battle Thursday Night
Published on December 3, 2015 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release
The Flint Firebirds (12-11-1-1) finish off a three-game road swing on Thursday night at the WFCU Centre against the Windsor Spitfires (16-8-3-0). Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. (ET) between the West Division rivals in the second of six games this season.
Earlier this campaign, the Spitfires edged the Firebirds at the WFCU Centre 3-0 on Oct. 29. Windsor's Daniil Vertiy had two goals in the game and Flint's Kyle Keyser made 26 saves on 29 shots.
Windsor leads the West Division with 35 points in 27 games played however, the Firebirds are currently two points behind the Sarnia Sting who are in second place in the West Division. Flint will host Sarnia this Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Radio & TV Coverage
Fans unable to attend Thursday'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 6:30 p.m.
Thursday's game against the Spitfires will be televised live in Windsor on Cogeco TV channel 11 and across the province of Ontario on the OHL Action Pak on cable channel 440. OHL fans with cable television 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:
Francesco Vilardi scored two of Flint's three goals in North Bay on Sunday afternoon and is currently on a four-game point streak. Will Bitten, tied for 11th in the OHL, leads the Firebirds in goals (14) and assists (21) and has tallied points in 10 of the last 11 contests.
Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (Carolina '14) recorded his first career shutout in a Firebirds uniform Saturday night and now has an 8-6-1-0 record. Nedeljkovic holds a .909 save percentage and a 3.14 goals against average. After recording 40 saves on 45 shots in the 6-5 victory over Erie on Nov. 22, rookie goaltender Kyle Keyser holds a 2-2 record. Keyser has a .908 save percentage including a 3.29 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.
Windsor:
Forward Christian Fisher leads the Spitfires with 15 goals and 13 assists totaling 28 points in 25 games played this season. Aaron Luchuk and Christiano DiGiacinto are tied for second on Windsor with 25 points each.
Both Michael DiPietro and Garret Hughson split time equally between the pipes for the Spitfires with eight games played each this season. DiPietro has a 2.23 GAA and a .930 save percentage while Hughso has a 2.39 GAA and a .923 save percentage.
NHL Central Scouting has identified Spitfires' Logan Brown and Mikhail Sergachev as players to watch in their November 2015 watch list for the 2016 NHL Draft.
The Windsor Spitfires saw nine players attend NHL training camp this fall: Jalen Chatfield (Detroit), Cristiano DiGiacinto (Tampa), Christian Fischer (Arizona), Bradley Latour (Toronto), Hayden McCool (Chicago), Trevor Murphy (Nashville), Liam Murray (St. Louis), Patrick Sanvido (Dallas) and Markus Soberg (Columbus).
Special Teams
The Flint Firebirds power play ranks 10th out of 20 teams in the OHL converting at a 17.6% success-rate scoring 18 goals on 102 opportunities. On the penalty kill, the Firebirds are currently 13th in the OHL, operating at 78.5%. Flint has scored two shorthanded goals and has successfully killed 84 of 107 penalties this season. The Firebirds are recording the eighth least penalty minutes in the OHL with an average of 12.2 per game.
Windsor is 12th on the power play scoring 17% of the time and 9th on the penalty kill at 82%.
Next Home Games:
- Teddy Bear Toss Night (Friday)
The Firebirds return back to the Dort Federal Event Center in Flint this Friday night against the Saginaw Spirit at 7:30 p.m. (ET). It's Teddy Bear Toss Night! Fans are encouraged to bring a new teddy bear to the game. When the Firebirds score their first goal, fans are encouraged to throw their bear onto the ice. It's a great visual for a great cause. Bears will also be sold in the arena lobby prior to game time. The bears and cash donations will benefit the following local charities in Flint and Genesee County: The Ennis Center for Children, Hurley Children's Hospital, Saint Luke's N.E.W. Life Center, Teddy Bear Patrol, Whaley Children's Center and others.
Also, all fans in attendance will receive free orange Flint Firebirds rally towels and a chance to win (4) Fitbit's compliments of HAP (Health Alliance Plan).
Two red kettles will be passed through the stands to collect donations for the Salvation Army and a replica Flint Firebirds team signed jersey will be silent-auctioned at the Salvation Army table on the concourse.
Tickets are $12 for bronze, $15 for silver and $19 for corporate/gold seating and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, by visiting the Dort Federal Event Center Box Office Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. or by phone at (810) 744-0580.
- Star Wars Night (Saturday)
On Saturday night, the Firebirds host the Sarnia Sting at 7:30 p.m. for Star Wars Night presented by Goodwill.
The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a free light saber. The Firebirds will wear special Star Wars warm-up jerseys for charity. Fans will have the opportunity to bid on these jerseys in a silent auction on the concourse throughout the game.
Saturday will also feature an exclusive Star Wars movie trailer, Lucasfilm approved characters in attendance, Star Wars themed music and movie clips played throughout the game.
Also, compliments of NCG Cinemas in Grand Blanc, one lucky Firebirds' fan will receive (2) free tickets to the premiere of "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" on December 18th.
- Ugly Sweater Night
On Friday, December 11th, the Flint Firebirds and Old Newsboys of Flint are partnering for the team's inaugural ugly sweater jersey night as the Firebirds host the Mississauga Steelheads at 7:30 p.m. There will be a live jersey auction immediately following the game with proceeds from the auction, 50-50 raffle, Chuck-A-Puck and game program sales benefiting the Old Newsboys of Flint. Also, with Christmas right around the corner, children of all ages will have their chance to meet Santa Clause and get their picture taken throughout the duration of the game.
- College Night
Featuring $2 beers and $2 hot dogs, every home Firebirds game Monday through Thursday is college night! The Firebirds host the Hamilton Bulldogs on Tuesday, December 28th in the final home game of the 2015 calendar year at 7 p.m. All college students with valid I.D. receive $2 off their admission on college nights!
Firebirds Acquire Goaltender Johnston from Windsor
The Flint Firebirds announced that the club has completed a trade with the Windsor Spitfires for goaltender Brendan Johnston. Johnston was selected by Windsor in the fifth round of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection and has played 38 games in the OHL with the Spitfires. The Firebirds in return have traded their sixth round pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection.
Firebirds Give Back Throughout Holiday Season
The Flint Firebirds commitment to making an impact on the Flint and Genesee County Community is in full swing this holiday season. The Firebirds are partnering with numerous non-profit organizations to give back to the community that has showed great support for the club in its inaugural season in the OHL. Click here for more information.
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 Shane Stout to book your group outing today: (810) 742-2004 or via email at 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.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 3, 2015
- Michael McLeod and Nylander Each Score 2 in 5-3 Win - Brampton Steelheads
- Henderson's Overtime Winner Lifts Flint over Windsor - Flint Firebirds
- IceDogs Drop 5-3 Decision to Steelheads - Niagara IceDogs
- OHL Announces November Academic Players of the Month - OHL
- OHL this Week - OHL
- Fans Can Win with the Chapters Elfie on a Shelfie Selfie Contest - Peterborough Petes
- Attack Tangle with Otters - Owen Sound Attack
- Nylander Named OHL Rookie of the Month - Brampton Steelheads
- Preview: Firebirds, Spitfires Set to Battle Thursday Night - Flint Firebirds
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.
