Game Preview: Storm, Firebirds meet in first match-up
The Guelph Storm visit the Flint Firebirds on Saturday for the second game of a three-in-three stretch, featuring the teams first ever match-up.
Steph Coratti, GuelphStorm.com —
Getting right back to business, the Guelph Storm hit the road to visit the Flint Firebirds for the first ever meeting between the clubs on Saturday for a 7:30 puck drop.
Dropping their worst loss of the season on Friday in a 9-2 result to the London Knights, the Storm will be looking to rebound in a big way, pushing to snap the skid with a win over the Firebirds.
Flint, on the other hand, going through a skid of their own, recently ended a five-game losing streak on Friday in a big 3-2 overtime victory over the Sarnia Sting. Riding high on the momentum, the Firebirds will certainly be looking to keep things in the win column come game time Saturday night.
- Guelph Storm
In a frustrating loss to the Knights this past Friday, a silver lining can be found in Vladislav Barulin. Playing in his first OHL season, the 1996-born Moskva, Russia native had an assist on the game’s opening goal, while pocketing a tally of his own later in the contest for a multi-point night. The six-foot, 176-pound winger now has five points (two goals, three assists) in 14 games this season, and seems to be warming up to an offensive breakout.
Ranked third on the Storm in points, Tyler Boston opened the scoring against the Knights on Friday, putting up his fourth goal of the season. The five-foot-eleven, 160-pound centre now has seven points through 15 games this season, and will need to continue to push for production, starting with Flint on Saturday, in order to help the Storm find the win column.
Leading all Storm defenseman is captain C.J. Garcia, totaling for seven points (two goals, five assists) in 15 games this season. The Pickering, Ontario native picked up a helper in the team’s loss to London, while maintaining strong defensive play in all areas of the ice. In his fourth OHL season now, Garcia is very much leading by example on the ice, and will need to continue to do so in order to give his team a chance to break out of its current slump. In addition, in his third season in 2014-15, the six-foot, 184-pound blueliner totaled for a career-high four goals, splitting time between the Barrie Colts and the Storm. Garcia is now only two goals removed from matching the mark.
- Flint Firebirds
Leading the Firebirds’ production is second year forward Will Bitten. The Gloucester, Ontario native has eight goals for 17 points on the season, averaging 1.13-point(s)-per-game after 15 games played. As a rookie in 2014-15, the five-foot-ten, 167-pound centre registered 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists) in 63 games. With a total of 17 points already this season, Bitten is well on his way to a breakout campaign. Adding to his totals, Bitten most recently pocketed the opening goal in Flint’s 3-2 overtime win versus the Sarnia Sting on Friday, helping his club snap a five-game losing skid.
Right behind Bitten stands Vili Saarijärvi, compiling 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) through 15 games – totals that rank second on the Firebirds’ roster, and lead the OHL’s defensemen. The 1997-born Rovaniemi, Finland native, playing in his first OHL season, also holds a plus-nine rating – the highest on Flint’s roster – emphasizing his ability to play on both sides of the puck. In the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, the five-foot-ten, 165-pound defenseman was selected in the third round (73rd overall) by the Detroit Red Wings.
Looking to the veterans on Flint’s roster, third year forward Ryan Moore has been all about finding the back of the net so far this season, recording six goals (second most on the Firebirds) in 15 games played. The five-foot-eight, 171-pound winger has scored a career high of seven goals in the 2014-15 season, and is well on pace to surpass that mark this campaign. A native of Troy, Michigan, Moore scored the overtime winner this past Friday, lifting his club to their first win since Oct. 16.
The Opponent: Flint Firebirds (6-8-0-1, 13 points)
The Firebirds have had a fair share of struggles of their own this season, finding themselves in the basement of the West Division and one spot ahead of the Storm near the bottom of the Western Conference. Nevertheless, Flint is fresh off a significant victory, snapping a five-game skid with a 3-2 overtime win over the Sarnia Sting this past Friday, and will be looking to carry that momentum into the match-up on Saturday.
With 42 goals for this season (the second fewest scored in the league, second to Guelph), the Firebirds have had some trouble finding the back of the net, however, have had streaks of offensive prowess, scoring four goals against Peterborough on Oct. 11, then seven versus Ottawa on Oct. 16, following up the effort with five against Barrie on Oct. 22, proving that the power is there if given the opportunity.
Notably as well, despite the Firebirds’ recent five-game skid, three of their six wins this season have come in their last ten games played, going 3-7-0-0 in the stretch.
GAME NOTES
- Saturday’s match-up will be the first ever meeting between the Guelph Storm and the Flint Firebirds, with the Firebirds in their inaugural OHL season.
- The Storm are coming off a 9-2 loss to the London Knights, while the Firebirds are high off of a big 3-2 win over the Sarnia Sting, snapping a five game losing skid.
- Saturday’s game will be the second game of a three-in-three stretch for Guelph.
- James McEwan is two points away from matching his career-high in points (10), previously set as a rookie in the 2014-15 season.
- The Storm return home to conclude the three-in-three weekend, hosting the Windsor Spitfires for a 6:00p.m. puck drop on Sunday. Fans who purchased a regular ticket to Friday’s game against London, can add a ticket to Sunday’s tilt for just $11! Call (519) 837-9690 for more information. You can also click this link to purchase your tickets to Sunday’s game.
