Firebirds drop first road contest to Greyhounds Friday
Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. – The Firebirds tied a franchise record scoring two goals in just 17 seconds, Jake Durham and Cody Morgan both recorded two-point nights for the Firebirds, Connor Roberts also scored for Flint and Anthony Popovich made 29 saves on 35 shots in his Firebirds’ debut. However the Greyhounds ended up pulling out a 6-3 victory over the Firebirds in front of 4,282 fans at the GFL Memorial Gardens Friday.
The Greyhounds were first to strike 2:48 into the opening frame when Alex Johnston dished a pass backdoor to Marc Boudreau at Popovich’s left for the one-timer. Dominic Mufarreh was credited with the second assist.
Then, while on the power-play, Tye Kartye increased Sault Ste. Marie’s lead to two at 14:12 with a slapshot from the left-wing point that beat Popovich farside over his left shoulder. Robert Calisti and Jacob LeGuerrier earned the assists. Sault Ste. Marie led 2-0 after the first period.
Both teams tied period 2, scoring two goals a piece. The Greyhounds scored first, capitalizing on a Firebirds’ turnover at the Soo blueline. Ryan Roth poked the puck free and used a burst of speed to skate up the right wing wall. He centered it to Jarmoir Pytlik who had a nice opportunity but Popovich made a nice save before O’Rourke scored on the rebound.
The Firebirds then scored two goals in 17 seconds to bring the game within one. Jake Durham sent a laser of a shot off the crossbar and into the net from the slot at 5:54, before Evgeniy Oksentyuk made a tape-to-tape pass to Connor Roberts on a 2-on-1 who scored on a one-timer off the right shoulder of Christian Propp and into the net.
Then, Sault Ste. Marie’s O’Rourke scored his first of the season crashing to the net and finding an opening between the legs of Popovich to increase the Greyhounds lead to 4-2. Sault Ste. Marie led in shots 25-22 after two periods.
Holden Wale increased the Greyhounds lead to 5-2 just 1:18 into the third period. Cody Morgan then scored on a wrap-around goal after skating up the left-wing wall, behind the net to the nearside and sliding the puck under Propp’s pads. Dennis Busby was credited with the second assist at 9:01 of the final frame. McLean added one more for the Greyhounds, gloveside, to finish off the 6-3 victory.
Flint finished 0-for-5 on the power-play and were 5-for-7 on the penalty kill. The Greyhounds won 35 face-off draws compared to Flint’s 23.
Next up for Flint, the Firebirds will play Saturday night against their in-state rival, the Saginaw Spirit. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw, Mich.
2019-20 Home Opening Weekend:
The Firebirds’ Home Opening night at the Dort Federal Event Center is Saturday, September 28. The club will host the Niagara IceDogs, with puck drop slated for 7:00 p.m. (ET). Many fun promotions are scheduled including all fans in attendance receiving a rally towel, compliments of Dort Federal Credit Union.
The Firebirds are also hosting their inaugural cornhole tournament before the game! The tournament will consist of two divisions, social and competitive, and teams consist of two players each. Day of registration begins at Noon. The tournament starts at 2:00 p.m. leading up to the Firebirds game at 7:00 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the Flint Firebirds Charitable Foundation which was created to support youth in education and sports programs in Genesee and Lapeer Counties. Full details and registration available HERE.
Opening weekend continues Sunday when the Firebirds host the Sarnia Sting at 2 p.m. Sunday’s game is the first Firebirds’ Family “FUN”day. The Sunday “FUN”day games feature up to two free kids’ tickets (12 & under) with the purchase of an adult ticket, as well as a post-game ‘skate with Firebirds players. There will also be a Car Show from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Dort Federal Event Center Parking Lot. Fans with concept cars or out-of-production classics can show off theeir cars, receive 2 Silver Level Tickets and free parking for $20! In addition, the first 50 cars registered will receive a FREE hockey and Hot Rods T-shirt.
Single game tickets for all Firebirds games are $12 / Bronze, $16 / Silver, $20 / Gold and $26 / VIP seating (Seating Chart). All seats are reserved / assigned seating. Fans can purchase tickets by calling (810) 744-0580, in-person at the Dort Federal Event Center Box Office or online at ticketmaster.com here.
Photo Credit: Todd Boone / Flint Firebirds
For more information:
Dominic Hennig
Director of Broadcasting & Communications
Flint Firebirds Hockey Club
[email protected]
(810) 519-9347
