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Flint Firebirds (OHL, 2019-20)

2019-20 Regular Season: Firebirds vs. Kingston Frontenacs
     This is arguably the strangest entry I've made on this site. I've covered programs from incomplete seasons before, but that was because the team suspended operations during the year. In this case, the season was cut short due to the Coronavirus pandemic. As Bryan Adams once sang, "these are crazy days".

      The  Flint Firebirds hit rock-bottom in 2018-19. A 0-16-1 start to the season led to a coaching change, as Ryan Oulahan resigned and was replaced by Eric Welwood. The team finished that season 16-46-6, tying the city record for fewest wins set by the 1985-86 Flint Spirits. Average attendance dropped to 2,443 per game, second lowest in the league.
     2019-20 was a much different campaign. Welwood was back behind the bench and the Firebirds got off to a great start. The team was 12-5-0 by Game 17 and was at or near first place in the West Division all season long. When the season ended, Flint was 40-21-1-1, just five points back of first-place Saginaw. Attendance shot back up to 2883 per game, an increase of 440 per game.
     The Firebirds scored 274 goals this season, third-highest in the league. Rookie Evgeniy Oksentyuk led the team in scoring, with 33 goals and 78 points in 58 games. Dallas Stars draft pick Ty Dellandrea, in his final season in Flint, scored 32 goals and 70 points.
     Flint had the thirteenth-best defensive team in the OHL this season, allowing 243 goals, almost 100 fewer than last year. Anthony Popovich was the starter in net this season, going 29-17-1 with a 3.63 GAA and 1 shutout. Luke Cavallin played in 20 games, going 11-4-1 with a 3.68 GAA. Rookie Peyton Grainer played 1 game to round out the Firebirds goaltending.
     This is easily the best season the Firebirds have had while in Flint. The team set a new Flint hockey record for longest winning streak, as they ripped off 15 in a row from January 19th-February 21st. The previous record was set by the 1996-97 Flint Generals, who won 10 in a row. At the trade deadline, the Firebirds added defenseman Tyler Tucker and Riley Piercey from Barrie and 6'6" forward Quinn Yule from Ottawa for the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Coronavirus pandemic forced the OHL (and the rest of hockey) to shut down for the remainder of the season and playoffs.
     The Firebirds have always had a nice-looking program, and this season is no different. It's a 64-page program ($3), all in color and on glossy paper. It includes articles about "Firebirds in the NHL" and players that are expected to be drafted in this year's NHL Draft. The coaching staff and front office each get their own articles and player profiles are included in the middle of the program. Local advertisements include Big John Steak & Onion, Leo's Coney Island, View Newspaper Group and Maxi Quality Meats, Inc.

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