Strong Effort Leads to Flint's Second Victory in Four Games
Published on February 25, 2016 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release
Flint Firebirds Shoot against the Soo Greyhounds
(Flint Firebirds, Credit: James Egan Photography)
Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. - Mathieu Henderson scored a highlight-reel goal with 6:49 remaining in the game and 13 of the 19 Flint players recorded at least one point in a 5-3 victory over the Greyhounds before a near capacity crowd of more than 4,200 fans at the Essar Centre on Wednesday night.
After a scoreless first period, Will Bitten gave the Firebirds a 1-0 lead 4:10 into the middle frame. From inside the Firebirds' zone, Mathieu Henderson found a streaking Will Bitten at the Sault Ste. Marie blue line. While on a breakaway, Bitten sniped the puck bar-down glove side past Joseph Raaymakers for the Firebirds' first tally of the night.
42 seconds later, Medric Mercier fired the puck toward the net from the right point that was deflected by Tim Gettinger in the slot, far side past Kyle Keyser for the tying goal with 15:08 remaining in the second period.
The Greyhounds would strike again for their first and only lead of the night at 13:27. While on the power play, Morgan Frost picked up the puck on the left wing wall and directed it towards Boris Katchouk at the right circle. Katchouk would then find twine on a one-timer shot past a sliding Keyser to make the score 2-1.
Flint came back to tie the contest 2-2 with 4:16 left in the second period. The Firebirds caught the Greyhounds changing lines, which forced a four-on-one break for Flint. Dane Johnstone lined a pass to Samuel Duchesne at the right circle who dished the puck to Cullen Mercer at the left circle. Mercer sent a missile on net, short side past Raaymakers for the tying tally.
With the game tied 2-2 to start the final period of play, Stephan Seeger scored his third of the season, earning Flint the lead for the second time of the evening. Raaymakers would make the initial save on a wrap-around attempt from Jacob Collins. Seeger then picked up the rebound and backhanded the puck top shelf, far side with 13:47 remaining in the contest.
The Greyhounds struck back with 7:56 remaining, tying the score for the final time of the game. While on a two-on-one, Morgan Frost beamed a laser pass to Jack Kopacka at the right circle, who scored on a one-timer shot past a diving Keyser to make the score 3-3.
The Firebirds regained the lead 1:07 later when Mathieu Henderson earned his highlight-reel goal. While in the neutral zone, Alex Di Carlo sent a rink-wide pass to Zach Grzelewski at the left wing wall. As Grzelewski gained the offensive zone, he pulled up and dished the puck to Henderson at the left circle. Henderson executed a perfect move around the last defenseman and patiently held the puck on his stick to fake out Raaymakers, eventually sliding the puck into the back of the net for the game-winning goal.
Luke Kirwan sealed the win for the Firebirds when he buried from the left wing wall, earning Flint a two-goal lead with 58 seconds remaining in the game and the second win in the last four games.
Flint's Kyle Keyser earned the victory between-the-pipes recording 29 saves on 32 Greyhound shots. The Firebirds were scoreless through two tries on the power play but were three-for-four on the penalty kill. Vili Saarijärvi picked up third star honors while Mathieu Henderson was awarded the second star.
The Firebirds return back home Friday night against the Greyhounds to finish the home-and-home series. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. (EST) at the Dort Federal Event Center, Friday night's contest is 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.
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.
Images from this story
 Flint Firebirds Shoot against the Soo Greyhounds (James Egan Photography) |
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