Firebirds Drop 3-1 Decision to Frontenacs
Flint, Mich. – The Firebirds came up short in a 3-1 defeat to the visiting Kingston Frontenacs Friday night in Flint. Amadeus Lombardi (Detroit Red Wings) netted the lone goal for the Firebirds, his sixth of the season. Will Cranley got the start in net for the Firebirds and stopped 24 of 27 shots faced. Mason Vaccari backstopped the Frontenacs for the second of back-to-back nights and earned ‘First Star’ honors for his 41 saves en route to his fourth win between the pipes.
The teams skated to a scoreless tie through the opening 20 minutes, although the period was far from uneventful. Both sides played a tight-checking and defensive-focused brand of hockey, and both goaltenders had plenty of big saves in the frame. Flint outshot the Frontenacs 11-8 and outdrew them by the same 11-8 margin. Despite some chippy play and words exchanged after whistles, there was only one penalty called, which was to the Fronts.
The teams traded a pair of power plays in the second period, but neither side could find the back of the net with the man advantage. At even strength, however, Kingston finally put a goal on the scoreboard at the 16:08 mark. Matthew Soto carried across the blue line along the right-wing wall, hitting the brakes to make a short drop pass to his trailer, Alec Belanger. Belanger carried into the top of the right circle before setting up Christopher Thibodeau at the bottom of the left circle for a quick one-timer behind Cranley for his first of the season.
Flint trailed 1-0 after 40 minutes. The Birds held the advantage in shots 25-17 and faceoffs 24-15. Both clubs were 0-for-2 on the power play.
Less than a minute into the final frame, Francesco Arcuri (Dallas Stars) crossed into Flint’s zone along the right-wing wall. He took a sharp left and walked the line to the center of the blue line before sniping a wrister high to the blocker side for his team-leading 11th of the season at 0:53, unassisted.
The Firebirds finally struck paydirt three minutes later to close the gap to a single goal again. Riley Piercey fed Amadeus Lombardi as he traversed the neutral zone, and the Detroit Red Wings’ prospect hit Coulson Pitre on the blue line in front of Kingston’s bench. Pitre completed the give-and-go, freeing Lombardi ahead of the defense with the puck. He faked a forehand shot in the slot to the blocker side before lifting a backhander over Vaccari’s left shoulder for his sixth of the season at 3:47.
The Fronts extended their lead back to a pair at 9:31. Owen Outwater dumped the puck into the Flint zone, and Cranley swept it aside toward the right-wing circle. Paul Hughes was the first on the scene, and he one-timed the loose puck low to the glove side for his fourth of the campaign, assisted by Outwater and Belanger.
Flint called Cranley to the bench for the sixth attacker with nearly three minutes still showing on the game clock. A brilliant individual effort by Braeden Kressler (Toronto Maple Leafs) led to the best scoring opportunity, as he maneuvered around three Frontenacs skaters before lifting a shot just over the crossbar from the high slot. An offsides call forced Cranley back in the net around 90 seconds later after Head Coach Ted Dent used his timeout to rest and plan with his team. Kingston used their timeout with 54 seconds remaining while preserving the 3-1 lead. The Birds mustered several shots during the final minute, including one from the point that rang off the crossbar.
Time ran out before Flint could get one past the solid defense and impressive goaltending of Kingston. Shots ended at 42-27 to the Firebirds’ advantage, and Flint outdrew the Fronts 39-20. Neither team converted a power-play chance tonight, with the Birds ending 0-for-3 and Kingston going 0-for-2.
Next Up: The Firebirds are right back in action at the Dort Financial Saturday night as they host the Guelph Storm for the first time this season. Saturday’s game marks the Firebirds’ annual Autism Awareness Night, sponsored by Genesee Health Systems. Flint will host a sensory-friendly game, and puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. (ET). Tickets for Saturday’s contest are available from ETIX HERE.
Story: Brandon Mills / flintfirebirds.com
Photography: Todd Boone / Flint Firebirds
For more information, contact:
Jack Sznewajs
Director of Broadcasting & Communications
Flint Firebirds Hockey Club
[email protected]
