Flint, Mi –
The Flint Firebirds came out firing on all cylinders, lighting up the scoreboard with two quick goals to start the game. After an intercepted pass from Urban Podreker (98, Defenseman), Alex Kostov (47, Rightwing) was able to steal the puck back and quickly send it to the front of the net where Kaden Pitre (17, Center) was ready and waiting. Pitre sent it past Brampton’s Gillespie, giving the Firebirds an early 1-0 lead.
Just two and a half minutes later, Kostov struck again. From the faceoff circle, Kostov passes the puck to Connor Clattenburg (23, Leftwing) at the blue line. Clattenburg passes it to Matthew Mania (19, Defenseman), who launched it into a crowd of players in front of the net. Kostov finds the loose puck and slips it in extending Flint’s lead to 2-0.
Brampton tried to hit back in the second period with back-to-back goals leaving the crowd anxious. Spencer Sova set up Luke Misa, who puts it past Nathan Day (31, Goalie). Quickly after, MacGregor Richmond finds Porter Matone, who finds Kieran Witkowski. Witkowski’s shot rang off the post and into the net, tying the game 2-2.
The Firebirds weren’t about to back down. They quickly reclaimed the lead when Matthew Mania’s setup found Sam McCue (12, Leftwing) for a powerful one-timer. Gillespie blocked the first attempt, McCue quickly gathered the rebound and passed it back to Mania, who sent it to Blake Smith (5, Defenseman) at the blue line. Smith absolutely SENT a slapshot into the back of the net, pushing Flint ahead 3-2.
The Firebirds kept the momentum going as Thibodeau and McCue worked their magic. A pass from Thibodeau ricocheted off McCue’s skate and landed just outside the crease. Thibodeau tucked the puck under Gillespie; 4-2 Firebirds.
Brampton tried to stay within striking distance off of a power-play goal early in the third. Carson Rehkopf’s wrist shot sailed over Day’s glove, cutting Flint’s lead to 4-3. But the Firebirds sealed the deal with less than a minute to play. Thibodeau netted an empty-net goal, securing a hard-fought 5-3 victory for Flint.
This puts the Flint Firebirds at 19-22-2-2 for the season.
They play again on Thursday, January 30th, away against the Windsor Spitfire, and you can listen to them live on US 103.1.
