Hard to say little bit of an injury bug going on. On a positive note The D line Pierce Deline Harper played solid minutes and contributed scoring. Would like to have everyone back for the last game with Sagnasty and deliver them the drubbing they deserve in our house.
Aren't you looking past quite a few important games besides Saginaw?
Consider last Saturday's game, Kingston's win put them in a tie for the eight and final playoff spot......anything can happen in the OHL, the game is played on the ice and not on paper.
On Wednesday Owen Sound will be attempting to protect their lead on the seventh spot in the conference and won't be a pushover especially with the typical sparsely attended Wednesday night crowds at the Dort.
With next Saturdays game at home with Windsor, don't you think the that maybe the Spitfires still have thoughts of catching the Firebirds for the fourth spot and first round home ice advantage? Oddly, Windsor has been better on the road then at home most recently, which makes one think that maybe they would be better off finishing in the fifth or sixth spot in the conference.
The next game at the Soo won't be a easy either especially with the Greyhounds still having a chance for the eight and final playoff spot, being only 3 points behind. Expect the Soo to give a battle against the Firebirds even though the soo has not done well with Flint in the season series.
Next Friday at London, is the game that will really tell how the Firebirds stack up with the other top three teams in the conference. The one and only visit into London thus far this season resulted in I believe Flint playing their best game of the season. The Firebirds manhandled London by a score of 6-1. The Knights don't lose many games at home by that type of score.
Following that comes Erie at home in Flint, another team battling for their playoff lives and currently in the eighth and final spot. The Firebirds didn't play up to expectations against Kingst0n and they can't afford to have the same thing happen against Erie.
Five games before the supposedly showdown with Saginaw (and NOT Sagnasty). The game could have absolutely no impact on where either team finishes depending on how both Flint and Saginaw performs in their prior games. Then again, the game could mean everything to the point where the winner of the game gains the advantage in the standings. The other thing to consider is that Saginaw holds a 4-3 series lead and advantage for the I-75 Divide Cup which serves as an incentive for both teams.
Say the Birds fare well in those six games, they still have the last two games remaining on the road......at Kitchener (we all remember what happen the last time they played Kitchener) the Rangers put a halt to Flint's historical 15 game winning streak. The game at Kitchner will be a battle, Kitchener themselves could still be playing for playoff positioning.
Finally, the last game of the season at Erie, it could very well mean absolutely nothing to both teams or it could be pivitol for both clubs.
Injuries as usual will have an impact on where a team ends up finishing......it affects BOTH teams.
Enjoy the ride the rest of the way. It is especially special when the team that you follow and root for is involved in the playoffs.
