Preview: Sunday Matinée Contest on Tap for Flint in North Bay
November 29, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release
Following the Firebirds' third straight victory Saturday night, Flint will travel to North Bay, Ont. for a matinée contest against the Battalion Sunday afternoon. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. at the North Bay Memorial Gardens (capacity 4,043) in the first meeting between the Firebirds and the Battalion.
Flint enters the contest two points outside second place in the West Division with a 12-10-1-1 record. North Bay currently holds a 11-10-1-1 record and is currently in fourth place in the Central Division in the Eastern Conference.
Radio & TV Coverage
Fans unable to attend Sunday'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 1:30 p.m.
Sunday's game against the Battalion will be televised live in North Bay on Cogeco TV channel 12 and across the province of Ontario on the OHL Action Pak on Rogers TV channel 457. 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:
Defenseman Mathieu Henderson extended his point streak to five games after recording an assist on Flint's second goal yesterday evening in Sudbury. Connor Chatham has recorded a power play goal in each of the last two games. Will Bitten, tied for 10th in the OHL, leads the Firebirds in goals (13) and assists (21) and has tallied points in nine of the last 10 contests.
Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (Carolina '14) recorded his first career shutout in a Firebirds uniform Saturday night and now has a 8-7-5-1 record. Nedeljkovic holds a .912 save percentage and a 3.01 goals against average. After recording 40 saves on 45 shots in the 6-5 victory over Erie Sunday, rookie goaltender Kyle Keyser now 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.
North Bay:
Center Mike Amadio lead the Battalion with 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points in 23 games played this season. Brett McKenzie has 9 goals and 8 assists while defenseman Cam Dineen has 17 points.
In net the North Bay Battalion have Jake Smith who holds a .900 save percentage and a 2.86 goals against average with a 7-6-1-0 record this season. Jake Kment has a 4-4-0-1 record with a .880 save percentage and a 3.20 GAA.
NHL Central Scouting has identified the Battalion's Christopher Paquette and Cam Dineen as players to watch in their November watch list for the 2016 NHL Draft.
The North Bay Battalion saw 10 players attend NHL training camp this fall: Mike Amadio (Los Angeles), Zach Bratina (New York Rangers), Riley Bruce (Calgary), Ryan Kujawinski (New Jersey), Miles Liberati (Pittsburgh), Brett McKenzie (Chicago), Nick Moutrey (Columbus), Nick Paul (Ottawa), Jake Smith (New York Rangers) and Kyle Wood (Colorado).
Special Teams
After scoring once on the man-advantage Saturday night in Sudbury, Flint's power play advanced to 8th out of 20 teams in the OHL converting at an 18.8% success-rate scoring 18 goals on 96 opportunities. On the penalty kill, the Firebirds are currently 13th in the OHL, operating at 78.6%. Flint has scored two shorthanded goals and has successfully killed 81 of 103 penalties this season. The Firebirds have recorded the ninth least penalty minutes in the OHL with an average of 12.8 per game.
North Bay is 10th on the power play scoring 18.3% of the time and 13th on the penalty kill at 78.6%.
Next Home Games:
- Teddy Bear Toss Night
Following a three-game road trip, the Firebirds return back to Flint on December 4th for a Friday night game against the Saginaw Spirit. It's Teddy Bear Toss Night! Fans are encouraged to bring a teddy bear to the game or purchase one at the Dort Federal Event Center and when the Firebirds score their first goal, launch them onto the ice! The bears and their proceeds will benefit various local charities throughout Flint and Genesee County. In addition, compliments of Hap Insurance, all fans in attendance will also receive a free orange Flint Firebirds rally towel and there will be one Fitbit given away to a lucky fan in attendance each period.
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
The Firebirds host Sarnia on Saturday, December 5th for Star Wars Night at 7:30 p.m. The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a free light saber and the Firebirds will be wearing special Star Wars jerseys that fans will have the opportunity to bid on in a silent auction during the game. In addition, there will be an exclusive Star Wars movie trailer, Lucasfilm approved characters, 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 two free tickets to the first showing 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!
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.
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 November 29, 2015
- Battalion Blunts Flint for Third Straight Win - North Bay Battalion
- Firebirds' Winning Streak Snapped in North Bay Sunday - Flint Firebirds
- Kingston Beats Sarnia 4-1 - Sarnia Sting
- Tippett Nets Shootout Winner in Oshawa - Brampton Steelheads
- Miller Scores against Former Team as Rangers Hold on for 5-4 Win over Greyhounds - Kitchener Rangers
- Preview: Sunday Matinée Contest on Tap for Flint in North Bay - 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.
