Nice start for Flint Firebirds
Three games represent a mere fraction of a 68-game regular season. But two wins in three games adds up to a good start for the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League.
The Firebirds missed the Western Conference playoffs in 2015-2016 — their first season in Flint — but under an all-new hockey staff led by general manager George Burnett and head coach Ryan Oulahen they have a pair of shutout victories in three outings to begin the 2016-2017 season.
While obviously happy with the start, Burnett as GM relayed to HockeyNewsNorth.com that “it’s early and we are trying to keep everything in perspective.”
Still, with inexperienced — at the OHL level — goalies Matthew Menna and Garrett Forrest both having posted home-ice shutouts, the 2-1 beginning to the season for Flint has to provide some sort of healthy satisfaction for those with an association to the Firebirds.
It should also be noted that the Firebirds are 2-1 without holdout centre Will Bitten, their leading scorer from last season who has demanded a trade.
And having accounted for seven of the Firebirds eight goals thus far this season, veteran forwards Ryan Moore and Nicholas Caamano and rookie pivot Ty Dellandrea have done their part in making up for the absence of Bitten.
Looking ahead, the Firebirds will look to remain unbeaten on home ice this weekend as they play host to the Sarnia Sting at 7 p.m. on Saturday and the Ottawa 67’s at 4 p.m. on Sunday.