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Flint Firebirds (OHL: 2023-24)

2023-24 Regular Season:
Firebirds vs. Kingston Frontenacs
     The Flint Firebirds were in their ninth season of existence in the Ontario Hockey League. The Firebirds were coming off a successful run recently, making the postseason two years in a row after a strong season in 2020 being canceled by the COVID-19 epidemic. The team played its home games at 4,021-seat Dort Financial Center (formerly the IMA Sports Arena). 

     After a slow start to the season, coach Ted Dent was fired, replaced by assistant coach Paul Flache. Dave McParlan was General Manager. The Firebirds finished the 2023-24 season with a 30-33-4-1 record, good enough for third place in the OHL's West Division. Their 65 points were 37 back of first-place Saginaw. Attendance continued to climb, as the Firebirds averaged a franchise-best 3,124 per game. That average was the highest a Flint hockey team had registered since the 2004-05 Flint Generals drew 3,099 per game in the UHL. 

     Flint's offense was fifth-weakest in the OHL, scoring 232 goals. Their leading scorer was right wing Nolan Dann, who scored 28 goals and 64 points in 65 games. Coulson Pitre was the only other Firebird to score over 20 goals, with 27 goals and 55 points. The top scoring defenseman was Dallas Stars prospect Tristan Bertucci, who had 10 goals and 44 points in 61 games. 

     Flint's defense was sixth-worst in the OHL, surrendering 274 on the season. Nathan Day, an Edmonton Oilers prospect, played in 54 games, sporting a 25-26-2 record and 3.73 GAA. His backup was Jacob Brown, who went 5-7-3 with a 4.19 GAA in 18 games in his rookie OHL season. 

     The Firebirds qualified for the OHL playoffs for the third straight season. They faced the powerhouse London Knights, who won the regular season crown with a 50-14-3-1 record. The series was competitive, but the Firebirds were swept by London in four straight, scoring just 9 goals in the process.  Flache and his coaching staff will be brought back for the 2024-25 season.

     Another fine program from the Flint Firebirds, 46 pages and all in color. Firebirds programs don't change too much from season to season. This one, like the others, includes articles about the owner, the coaching staff and has player bios. An article on pages 14-15, titled "A Tough Place to Play", highlights Flint's reputation has having one of the loudest, rowdiest fanbases in the OHL. Multiple Firebird players who were acquired during the season pointed out that they were happy to have Flint fans on their side for a change. I would agree, Flint fans have always been very passionate hockey fans and that building is often rocking during an exciting game.

     This program is from the March 9, 2024 game against the Kingston Frontenacs. This was an excellent game, won by the Firebirds in overtime, 2-1. Again, LOUD crowd that night. Local advertisements include Commercial Graphics of Michigan Inc., The Genesee Group, Dort Financial Credit Union, View Newspaper Group and Maxi Quality Meats.

 

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