Othmann Scores Two in Home-Opener Defeat to Niagara
October 1, 2022 – Ontario Hockey League (OHL) – Flint Firebirds News Release
Flint, Mich. – The Firebirds entertained a huge crowd at the Dort Financial Center on opening night in Flint. Brennan Othmann (New York Rangers) scored twice for Flint, once at even strength and once on the power play. The IceDogs, however, scored three times to steal the 3-2 victory. Will Cranley (St. Louis Blues) started in goal for Flint, and Josh Rosenzweig backstopped Niagara across the ice.
The first period was pretty evenly played. Scoring opportunities were few and far between for either side, with more defense on display than offensive scoring opportunities. The Firebirds snuck the lone goal of the first past Rosenzweig just past the 17-minute mark on a three-on-two break. Gavin Hayes (Chicago Blackhawks) crossed the blue line along the right-wing boards and rifled a pass to Zacharie Giroux on the left. Giroux slipped a pass in front of the defense to Brennan Othmann for a redirection past the netminder up high on the glove side at 17:01.
First period shots ended at 11 for the Firebirds and nine for the visiting IceDogs. Faceoffs were even at eight wins per side. The Birds had the lone power-play chance at the end of the stanza, with 56 seconds carrying over into the middle frame.
It took 17 seconds of period two for Othmann to light the lamp again, this time scoring the Firebirds’ first power-play marker of the season. Riley Piercey sent a tape-to-tape pass across the top of the circles and Flint’s Captain launched it from a wide angle behind Rosenzweig.
The Dogs created the first true breakaway of the evening two minutes later, as Andrew LeBlanc hit Kevin He in stride just beyond his defender. He slipped the puck 5-hole under Cranley from just outside the crease for his first of the season at 2:20.
The complexion of the game changed quickly in the final five minutes of period two. Daniel Michaud lost his handle on the puck deep in Flint’s zone while skating with the man-advantage, but Aidan Castle snagged the loose puck and quickly snapped on goal from the right circle. The puck struck the far top corner for his second of the season at 15:14. Pasquale Zito (Detroit Red Wings) was credited with the second assist.
The physicality increased after the IceDogs tied the game, with players coming together after nearly every whistle for the balance of the middle frame. In the final 30 seconds, Zito attempted a shot in close. Flint’s defender knocked the puck away to prevent the shot, but the puck settled into the left circle. Brenden Sirizzotti was first on the scene to one-time it home, logging his second of the campaign at 19:40 to earn Niagara their first lead of the night.
The Birds outshot the Dogs 14-12 in the middle 20 minutes and outdrew them 14-9. Both clubs scored once with the man-advantage, Flint on three opportunities and Niagara on their only opportunity.
With the Firebirds still trailing by a goal and Niagara on a late odd-man rush, Cranley made a highlight-reel save by going air-born across his crease to keep his team within striking distance. Tempers again flared shortly after as two players had a bit of a wrestling match behind the visitor’s goal. The arena was electric with two-and-a-half minutes showing on the game clock. From there Flint was called for two penalties, putting the IceDogs on a 5-on-3 power play with under a minute to play. The Birds kept Niagara out of the net until time expired, surrendering the 3-2 final score.
Shots on goal ended at 42-30 to Flint’s advantage, while winning 35 of 64 faceoffs. The Birds finished 1-for-5 on the power play while limiting Niagara to one goal on three chances. Cranley finished with 27 saves on 30 shots while Rosenzweig stopped 40 of 42 to pick up his first win of the season.
Next Up: The Firebirds embark on a two-game road trip following tonight’s matchup. First, they’ll seek to tame the Greyhounds in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. on Wednesday, then travel to Guelph to battle Storm Friday night. The Birds return to Dort Financial Center for a Saturday night battle with the Sudbury Wolves.
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