Firebirds Comeback Not Enough In Sunday Loss to Kitchener
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Kitchener, Ont. – The Firebirds scored two unanswered goals in the second period but could not complete the comeback as the Kitchener Rangers held on for a 5-3 victory in front of more than 7,100 fans at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium on Sunday afternoon.
The Rangers started the scoring off when Joseph Garreffa scored his first OHL goal from the left circle, far side past Brent Moran’s left shoulder. 24 seconds later, Cullen Mercer tied the game when Jacob Collins forced a turnover in the Rangers zone and found Mercer in the slot, who found twine over Luke Opilka’s left shoulder.
The game stayed tied 1-1 for almost 7 minutes before Kitchener’s Adam Mascherin found the back of the net from the left circle blockerside. Then, with 1:46 remaining in the first period, Jeremy Bracco dished the puck from the right circle to Gusta Franzen who scored to earn the Rangers a power play goal.
Dylan Di Perna then made it 4-1, scoring his fourth goal of the season from the right circle, far side past Moran’s right shoulder before Moran was relieved by Matthew Menna.
Just past the mid-way point of the game, Dylan Di Perna passed the puck to Miles Liberati at the left point. Liberati fired the puck on net, Menna made the original save before Nick McHugh sent home the rebound for Kitchener’s fourth consecutive goal.
While down 5-1, the Firebirds would score the next two goals. Alex Di Carlo entered the Kitchener zone up the left wing and slid the puck to Nicholas Caamano. Cammano put the puck on net and a crashing Will Bitten scored his 21st goal of the season. 47 seconds later, Dane Johnstone found a loose puck on the left side of the net and scored with 2:05 remaining in the second period for Flint’s final goal of the game.
The Firebirds will return home to the Dort Federal Event Center this Saturday, Jan. 30 against the Sarnia Sting with puck drop set for 7:30 p.m.
During the month of January, the Firebirds are teaming up with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan to fight hunger. Fans may bring in five or more canned or boxed food items to receive $5 off a Silver Level ticket. Fans may drop off donated food at the Flint Firebirds Merchandise store to receive the discount. Fans can also purchase a $15 Silver Level ticket through ticketmaster.com and enter code HUNGER to donate $5 to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.
For media inquiries, contact:
Dominic Hennig
Director of Broadcasting & Communications
Flint Firebirds Hockey Club
[email protected]
(810) 519-9347
