PREVIEW: Firebirds Host Spitfires on Friday in Flint
FLINT, Mich. — The Firebirds arrive back home on Friday night, fresh off a 5-4 win over the Windsor Spitfires on the road on Thursday. Flint kicked off a home-and-home with Windsor and a stretch of three games in three days with a win and now will look to carry that momentum as it continues its battle for playoff positioning. Puck drop for the second of back-to-back meetings with the Spitfires is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Dort Financial Center.
LAST TIME OUT: These teams met at the WFCU Centre in Windsor Thursday evening and the Firebirds rallied from behind with three unanswered goals late to defeat the Spitfires 5-4. Coulson Pitre scored twice, Connor Clattenburg had a goal and assist, and Gavin Ewles had a pair of assists for the second-straight game. Nathan Day made 27 saves to earn the 40th victory of his OHL career as Flint snapped a three-game losing streak.
SERIES HISTORY: Friday’s game is the fifth of six annual regular-season meetings between the Firebirds and Spitfires and is the second of three at the Dort Financial Center. Through four games this season, the series is tied at two wins apiece. Liam Greentree leads Windsor on the scoresheet across the four tilts versus Flint with two goals and six assists while Nolan Dann has four tallies to top the Birds in scoring. The Firebirds’ all-time record versus the Spits stands at 16-28-3-1 with a 10-13-0-0 mark on home ice.
SCOUTING THE SPITFIRES: (18-32-4-3, 5th West Division) –
Liam Greentree remains atop the scoresheet for the Spits, now with 80 points (30 G, 50 A) through 53 contests. Livonia, Mich. native Ryan Abraham is second with 26 points and 27 assists in the campaign. Former Spirit forward Valentin Zhugin is third with 18 tallies and 21 helpers for 39 points.
Between the pipes, Windsor native Max Donoso has 13 wins including one shutout in 38 appearances. His goals-against average is 3.88 and his save percentage sits at .881. Joey Costanzo has ten wins across 33 contests and he carries a 4.97 GAA with an .855 SV%.
The Spitfires rank tenth on the power play, scoring at a pace of 20.6%. Their penalty kill is 18th-best, shutting down opponents at a 74.9% rate.
SCOUTING THE FIREBIRDS: (25-28-3-1, 3rd West Division):
Oliver Peer continues to lead the offensive charge for the Firebirds, now with 31 goals and 35 assists for 66 total points. Nolan Dann is next with 53 points from 23 goals and 30 helpers. Coulson Pitre is third with 48 points from 25 tallies and 23 assists.
Edmonton Oilers prospect Nathan Day has appeared in the fourth-most games of any OHL goaltender with 47 appearances this season. He’s credited with 21 victories and he carries a 3.78 goals-against average with an .865 save percentage. Jacob Brown has been solid in his rookie campaign, winning four games in 13 appearances and sporting a 4.09 GAA with an .858 SV%.
The Firebirds are 17th on the power play with a 17.5% conversion rate. The penalty kill ranks 14th in the OHL, shutting down the opposition 78.1% of the time.
ODDS & ENDS: Flint’s remaining regular season schedule features eight home games and only three road games… The Birds hold a mark of 8-12-1-0 versus West Division opponents this year… Still holding onto the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Firebirds are three points back of the Erie Otters in seventh, four points behind the Guelph Storm in sixth, and five points back of the Owen Sound Attack who sit fifth… Flint holds a home record of 7-16-2-1 this season compared to Windsor’s road record of 7-16-2-2.
PROMOTIONS: Friday’s contest is themed Autism Awareness Night, sponsored by Genesee Health Systems. The game will feature lowered volume and slightly dimmed lighting to help accommodate those with sensory processing disorders.
BROADCAST COVERAGE: This evening’s game against the Windsor Spitfires can be heard live on the radio throughout Flint & Mid Michigan on US 103.1 FM, online at www.us103.com, or by downloading the US 103 app. Brian Gardner will call the play-by-play action on the Firebirds Hockey Network starting with the pregame show at 6:45 p.m.
All of the Flint Firebirds home and away games throughout the 2023-24 season can be watched anywhere in the world online at https://watch.chl.ca/ohl.
COMING UP: The Firebirds return to action on home ice Saturday to host the London Knights. Saturday’s game is Country Night, sponsored by B 95! There will be a mechanical bull in the lobby and local country artist Madison Olivia will be performing live pregame and singing the national anthems. Puck drop for Saturday is set for 7:00 p.m. and tickets are available now from ETIX.com HERE.
Story: Brandon Mills // flintfirebirds.com
