Flint, Mich. – Game 2 of the playoffs ended with the same score as Game 1, but with the Firebirds on top this time. Flint’s offense started early with goals by Zacharie Giroux and Sahil Panwar, both scoring in the first two minutes of regulation. Then the Birds scored the fastest three playoff goals in team history, needing just 60 seconds in the third period to seal the deal. Tag Bertuzzi scored his first, Brennan Othmann (New York Rangers) logged his second of the postseason, followed quickly by Ethan Keppen’s (Vancouver Canucks) first. Bertuzzi, Othmann, and Luca D’Amato swept the three ‘Stars of the Game’ with a goal and an assist each. Luke Cavallin posted 28 saves on 31 shots for his first career playoff victory. Julian Fantino scored two of the Attack’s three markers, and both Nick Chenard and Corbin Votary logged time between the pipes.
Scoring just 41 seconds into the game. Zacharie Giroux won an offensive zone faceoff back to Brennan Othmann just inside his blue line. Flint’s Captain tee’d up and slapped one on goal, which was kicked aside by Chenard. Giroux was at the bottom of the right circle to redirect the rebound behind Chenard for his first of the postseason. Piercey was credited with the second helper.
Goal two for the Birds was netted 56 seconds later. Tag Bertuzzi skated in from the left point and made a late pass across the top of the crease to Sahil Panwar on the far. Panwar’s one-timer went over Chenard’s left pad and into the far side of the net for his first of the playoffs at 1:37, assisted by Bertuzzi and Tyler Deline.
The Bears had a quick answer after Panwar’s marker, lighting the lamp to settle the crowd 10 seconds after the center-ice draw. Owen Sound won the draw, and Flint’s forwards knocked it free. Julian Fantino ended up with the puck on his stick racing across the blue line. He made a move around the lone defender and wristed the puck low to the glove side for his first postseason marker at 1:47, unassisted.
Following the quick trio of goals and one successful penalty kill, Flint went on an offensive blitz. They led on the shot clock 12-3 by the 11-minute mark. With under five minutes remaining in the first period, there was a mad scramble for a rebound in front of Cavallin. The end result was a pileup of bodies on the ice in the slot and crease, which of course led to on-ice disagreements. Gloves came off and offsetting five-minute majors were assessed. The physicality increased for the final minutes of the frame, but the score remained 2-1 to Flint’s advantage.
Shots on goal were 20-10 after 20 minutes of play, but the visiting Attack outdrew the Birds 13-7. Flint killed the lone penalty of the period to keep special teams out of the equation.
The middle frame was played without scoring, although the intensity grew throughout the frame. That’s not to say there wasn’t plenty of action. Flint killed off two penalties while failing to convert on their lone shot with the man-advantage. Shots were even at 11 and both goaltenders put on impressive efforts to maintain the one-goal differential. The Birds won nine faceoffs and the Attack won six.
The Firebirds scored three goals in a span of one minute just past the midway point of the final frame. First, Tag Bertuzzi won a battle along the boards and immediately crashed the net. James Mayotte’s slapshot from the right point deflected off Bertuzzi’s equipment and entered the net behind Chenard at 10:50. Next, Riley Piercey carried up the right-wing wall and sent a harmless wrister on goal. Chenard made the kick save, but the puck went off his pad, off a defenseman’s skate in the slot, and then directly to Brennan Othmann at the hash marks. Othmann’s quick one-timer beat Chenard for his second of the playoffs at 11:19. Finally, Luca D’Amato launched a rocket on goal from just inside his blue line that was tipped past Chenard by Ethan Keppen (Vancouver Canucks) for his first playoff goal of the year at 11:50. Amadeus Lombardi picked up the second helper on Keppen’s tally.
Chenard was replaced in goal by Corbin Votary following the third goal of the third period. However, on a power-play chance moments later, netminder Luke Cavallin made a breakout pass to Luca D’Amato, who raced up the right wall and wristed a seeing-eye shot. The puck found the top corner far-side for D’Amato’s first of the playoffs at 13:06, giving Flint a 6-1 advantage, and setting a new club record for the fastest four goals during a postseason game.
Owen Sound scored twice more in the final five minutes, first during four-on-four play and then with five skaters per side. Servac Petrovsky potted his second of the postseason with a one-timer from the right circle off a crafty backhand assist by Sam Sedley at 15:30. Lastly, Fantino ripped his second of the night past Cavallin at 17:07, assisted by Gavin Bryant and Taos Jordan.
Final shots ended at 44-30 to the Birds’ advantage. Owen Sound finished with the edge in faceoffs 30 – 26. On special teams, Flint finished 1-for-2 with the power play while holding the Attack scoreless in three chances.
Next Up: Games 3 & 4 of the series between Flint and Owen Sound will be played on the road on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Be sure to tune in to US 103.1 FM or online at www.us103.com beginning at 6:40 p.m. (ET) to follow the Firebirds on the road with broadcaster Jack Sznewajs. Game 5 is scheduled for Sunday, May 1. Tickets for Game 5 of the postseason will be available at noon tomorrow from ETIX HERE, or beginning at 11:00 a.m. (ET) Tuesday at the Dort Financial Center Box Office or by calling 1-800-514-3849.
Story: Brandon Mills / flintfirebirds.com
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