More ticks if Flint PP clicks
As the well-coached Flint Firebirds continue to be a feel-good story in the early going of the 2016-2017 season one wonders how much better they could be if their power play starts to click.
Heading into a tough three-game, weekend road trip against Eastern Conference teams, Flint has a solid record of 7-5-1 through 13 contests — which puts it within four points of first place in the Western Conference.
But despite having scored a respectable 46 goals in 13 games this season, the Firebirds rank only 18th in power-play prowess among the 20 teams in the Ontario Hockey League.
The Firebirds have converted only 7 of 58 power-play opportunities for a meager 12.1 per cent success rate. By contrast, the Windsor Spitfires are 18 for 54 on the power play for a league-best 33.3 per cent success rate — and are only one point ahead of Flint in the Western Conference standings.
And it’s not as though Flint is lacking in offensive weapons with productive forwards such as Ryan Moore, Nicholas Caamano, Kole Sherwood, Luke Kirwan and Ty Dellandrea and high-scoring defensemen Mathieu Henderson and Jalen Smereck.
Watch out for the Firebirds if they can get their PP clicking.
PHOTO: Flint Firebirds forward Luke Kirwan.