Trout on Top to Start 2026 with a 2-1 Win in Flint
FLINT, MI – The Steelheads clinch a gutsy win in Flint thanks to a star display from Zach Bowen and a milestone moment from Lucas Demiglio, on their way to a 2-1 win.
The Steelheads headed across the border on Saturday evening to open the new year against the Flint Firebirds in Michigan, looking to build on a gritty performance in last week’s close loss to Niagara.
Brampton took the ice against the 1st place Firebirds and were able to stifle the home side with a good defensive start, only allowing 3 shots in the opening 8 minutes.
The middle portion of the period saw both teams get a turn on the powerplay but were unable to cash in and break the deadlock; Steelheads’ starting goaltender Zach Bowen closed out a successful penalty kill with a key pad save, the biggest of his 6 saves throughout the period.
The 1st period concluded with the score deadlocked at 0-0 and Brampton leading the shots on goal with 10 to Flint’s 6.
The 2nd period started similarly to the 1st, as both teams were evenly matched in a defensive battle. The deadlock carried into nearly the halfway point of the period, as Bowen stood tall saving 10 shots in the first 8 minutes of the frame.
The Steelheads were able to break the ice at 8:52 in the period, when Lucas Demiglio sniped home his 1st career OHL goal into the top corner past Firebirds’ goaltender, Mason Courville.
The hosts looked to get back in the game when they got a powerplay in the last 5 minutes, but a gritty penalty kill from the Steelheads and a few highlight reel saves from Bowen kept Brampton in front.
After killing the penalty, Brampton was able to hold onto the 1-0 lead as the clock ran out and ended the 2nd period, meaning Brampton headed into the 3rd period with the narrow advantage thanks to Lucas Demiglio’s milestone goal.
In the third period, the Steelheads doubled their advantage, thanks to captain Mason Zebeski’s slapshot from the high slot, his 12th goal of the season giving Brampton some much needed insurance.
The insurance goal proved to be important when the Firebirds finally found a way past Bowen just a few minutes later and cut the lead down to 2-1.
Flint kept the pressure on and were able to draw back-to-back powerplay opportunities, but the Steelheads stood strong and killed both off.
Zach Bowen continued his stellar performance into the final minutes of the game, making a couple of huge saves en route to a 35 save performance.
Flint were consistently pushing for an equaliser but the Steelheads were able to hold off the 1st place hosts and clinch a huge victory to start 2026 with a bang.
Brampton is back in action tomorrow evening in Saginaw, as they look to make it a clean sweep of their weekend in Michigan.
3 Stars:
- Zach Bowen (35 Saves)
- Urban Podrekar (1G)
- Mason Zebeski (1G)
Brampton will be back at home on Friday, January 9th to face the North Bay Battalion. Purchase your tickets here:
https://www.ticketmaster.ca/brampton-steelheads-vs-north-bay-battalion-brampton-ontario-01-09-2026/event/1000631AC60E2A97
