Frantic race for eighth place

Sarnia Sting, Flint Firebirds and Windsor Spitfires are in a three way race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League. And with the regular season in the final third of the schedule, the three teams are gearing up for a frantic push at a playoff position.

Sarnia currently holds down the no. 8 seed with 43 points followed by Flint with 42 and Windsor with 33. Sarnia has played 49 games while Flint and Windsor have each skated in 47.

While Sarnia and Windsor are done their season series with one another, Flint can control its destiny down the stretch run of the schedule.

Consider this: Flint has 21 regular season games remaining and of those, the Firebirds play both Sarnia and Windsor four times each. So, the Firebirds just may be in the best position of the three teams as they chase that final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

FIREBIRDS V. STING

February 14 at Flint; February 16 at Sarnia; March 15 at Sarnia; March 23 at Flint

FIREBIRDS V. SPITFIRES

February 17 at Flint; February 29 at Windsor; March 1 at Flint; March 16 at Flint

TOP SCORERS

SARNIA: Marko Sikic (12-31-43), Tyson Doucette (16-13-29), Zach Filak (14-12-26)

FLINT: Oliver Peer (28-30-58), Coulson Pitre (22-23-45), Nolan Dann (18-26-44)

WINDSOR: Liam Greentree (27-39-66), Ryan Abraham (18-18-36), Valentin Zhugin (18-18-36)