Flint, Mich. – The Firebirds came up just short in overtime versus their rival Spirit on Thanksgiving eve. After rallying from behind with a two-goal third period, Michael Misa potted the overtime game-winner just 22 seconds into the extra frame. For Flint, Owen Pitters, Braeden Kressler (Toronto Maple Leafs), and Riley Piercey scored. Will Cranley (St. Louis Blues) made his 18th appearance of the season in goal for Flint and turned aside 17 of 21 shots faced. Tristan Lennox (New York Islanders) played in his 15th contest backstopping Saginaw and posted 36 saves en route to his 11th victory of the season.
Flint controlled the first half of the opening frame, outshooting the visitors 7-1 through 10 minutes. The Birds also celebrated two goals in that span, although one was overturned after review for goaltender interference. The goal that stood was scored by Owen Pitters on a breakaway, his second of the season at 5:26. Gavin Hayes (Chicago Blackhawks) picked up the assist for a long-range backhand pass across the neutral zone. It was Flint’s two Michiganders connecting on the lone tally of the opening frame.
After 20 minutes of play, the Firebirds held onto the one-goal lead. They outshot the Spirit 12-4 and outdrew them 13-4. Neither team converted on their power-play chances, with Flint ending 0-for-2 and Saginaw going 0-for-1.
Rookie Joey Willis was awarded a penalty shot for the Spirit at 5:26 of the middle frame. His deceptive stickhandling resulted in the puck finding the five-hole for his sixth of the campaign. Then, at 17:09, the Spirit claimed their first lead of the night. Michael Misa backhanded a pass to his defender Zayne Parekh, centered high between the circles. Parekh wound and fired a high wrister that found twine glove side for his second of the season. Calem Mangone added the secondary assist for the Spirit.
Shots after 40 minutes were 22-12 in favor of the Firebirds. They also outdrew the Spirit 9-7. Like the first period, Flint finished the frame 0-for-2 with the man advantage and Saginaw finished 0-for-1.
Saginaw widened the margin off the stick of Saginaw native Mitchell Smith at 6:37 of period three. Dean Loukus found him open in the slot, and Smith stopped atop the goal crease before tucking the puck in with a backhand outside of Cranley’s right pad for his fourth.
The Firebirds answered back at 8:07 off a slapper from the point by Tristan Bertucci. The shot bounced of Zacharie Giroux’s skate in the slot and slid directly to Braeden Kressler to Lennox’s left. Kressler’s one-timer lit the lamp for the team-leading 11th of the season. The goal was challenged by the visitors for possible goaltender interference, but the call on the ice stood.
Four minutes later, Gavin Hayes (Chicago Blackhawks) gained the zone and left a drop pass for rearguard Tyler Deline. Deline faked a shot and fed Riley Piercey on the left for a quick wrister over the netminder’s right shoulder. Piercey’s 10th of the year was logged at 12:46 to tie the contest at three.
Overtime would be necessary to determine the winner, and Saginaw carried the OHL’s best overtime record into the tilt at 4-1, where Flint was 1-1 to date. The Spirit needed just 22 seconds to score an overtime winner on a carryover power play. Matyas Sapovaliv (Vegas Golden Knights) won an offensive zone faceoff back to rookie phenom Michael Misa for the one-timer from the left circle. Misa’s 13th of the campaign sealed the 4-3 victory.
Final shots ended 39-20, advantage Flint, and they controlled the faceoffs 38-21. Saginaw scored one overtime marker in four opportunities while holding the Firebirds scoreless in four chances.
Next Up: The Firebirds head to Windsor for a Friday night tilt with the Spitfires, before returning to Flint Saturday to host the Sarnia Sting. Saturday’s contest is the Firebirds’ annual Teddy Bear Toss Night. Fans are encouraged to bring a new or gently used Teddy Bear to the game and throw it on the ice after Flint scores their first goal of the game. All collected Teddy Bears will be donated to local non-profits and charities such as Whaley Children’s Center, Hurley Children’s Hospital, Ennis Center for Children, the YWCA and many more. Tickets for Saturday’s home game are available now from ETIX HERE.
Photography: Todd Boone / Flint Firebirds
Story: Brandon Mills / flintfirebirds.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.