Flint Firebirds 2022-23 Off-Season Thread

[Hockytwn51419]

Playoff prep

At first I was little disappointed about all the healthy scratches, but glad the guys were able to rest up a little before Thursday. Literally seconds before Petrovski scored "I said don't leave him out there, he'll shoot and score". (Sarnia, Us and then Saginaw pretty much same area). The guys had a few miscues in the neutral zone but played pretty well. Had a couple guys behind me asking what was up with Gee (they didn't feel he was playing up to his potential, just kind of skating around like he was practicing). You can also tell they don't get much PP time (same guys also made comments about the PP being awful). Cranley has played well over the last week, head is in the game and is focused, (not going to fault him on that loss like others will).

This should be a good series with Saginaw.

 

[Hockytwn51419]

It's GAME DAY!!!!! #FuelTheFire

My thoughts (which don't mean s#!t) Dent will probably stick with:

Piercey Lombardi Hayes
Giroux Hay C. Pitre
Dann Slavicek Kressler
Bradshaw Pitters K. Pitre

Deline Bertucci
Kuzmin Stojkov
Smith Guryev

Day
Cranley

 

[MJ5]

It's GAME DAY!!!!! #FuelTheFire

My thoughts (which don't mean s#!t) Dent will probably stick with:

Piercey Lombardi Hayes
Giroux Hay C. Pitre
Dann Slavicek Kressler
Bradshaw Pitters K. Pitre

Deline Bertucci
Kuzmin Stojkov
Smith Guryev

Day
Cranley

Hope Kuzmin is healthy, he missed a few games down the stretch.

 

[Toldyaso]

Hope Kuzmin is healthy, he missed a few games down the stretch.

Still a question mark. My last information was the plan was for him to be available but wasn't a certainty as of Monday.

 

[Hockytwn51419]

Hope Kuzmin is healthy, he missed a few games down the stretch.

Not sure where my “if Kuz is able” went, oh well. Lol

 

[Hockytwn51419]

Still a question mark. My last information was the plan was for him to be available but wasn't a certainty as of Monday.

Guessing if he isn’t available, Jenken will slot in.

 

[MJ5]

Kuzmin in, but no Kressler?

He wasn't at the awards banquet either the other night. Thought that was strange (4th photo in link below)

 

[MJ5]

Woof, what a pathetic performance.

 

[Hockytwn51419]

Kuzmin in, but no Kressler?

He wasn't at the awards banquet either the other night. Thought that was strange (4th photo in link below)

Thought that was kinda odd as well, maybe a family thing. Sick last night?

Woof, what a pathetic performance.

It was rough, hopefully they bounce back tonight.

 

[AnotherDimwit]

Apparently there is a flu bug going through the lockerroom which would help explain their awful performance, But yeah if they keep playing like that it's about to be a quick 4 game series. Was nice to head up to Saginaw though and see the Memorial Cup. They definitely deserved it....just dont want to give them the chance to move on and play for it this year haha. Going to be tough again tonight if they are sick, but hopefully they can eek out a victory and even things up.

 

[donjohnson]

For the Flint fans coming to the game tonight, the Budweiser Red Room is unavailable for the game (the big room with the stage if you've been here before) so with a packed house, the concession lines will be REALLY long tonight so expect long lines. The Red Room does a decent job of thinning out the crowds on these packed nights so it will be a zoo without that access. Just wanted to give you all a heads up!

 

[Hockytwn51419]

For the Flint fans coming to the game tonight, the Budweiser Red Room is unavailable for the game (the big room with the stage if you've been here before) so with a packed house, the concession lines will be REALLY long tonight so expect long lines. The Red Room does a decent job of thinning out the crowds on these packed nights so it will be a zoo without that access. Just wanted to give you all a heads up!

Appreciate the heads up, thank you.

 

[MJ5]

I really like the new Saginaw play by play guy, could get rid of the old guy with him and it would a fantastic broadcast. He's so much better than the they had before.

Savard taking shots at guys wearing a full mask is a move.

 

[Kingpin794]

I really like the new Saginaw play by play guy, could get rid of the old guy with him and it would a fantastic broadcast. He's so much better than the they had before.

Savard taking shots at guys wearing a full mask is a move.

Yeah Rosie doesn’t add much but he’s a local hockey icon so he’ll decide when he’s done. I agree though, need a new color commentator.

 

[Firebird Fan26]

Yeah Rosie doesn’t add much but he’s a local hockey icon so he’ll decide when he’s done. I agree though, need a new color commentator.

Yeah Rosie doesn’t add much but he’s a local hockey icon so he’ll decide when he’s done. I agree though, need a new color commentator.

I was saying the same thing about Savard, taking shots and then pointing at his mask saying “ you gonna hit me with a mask and pointing at it” Refs weren’t much help last night as well as Flint better pick up their game or they’re finished.

 

[Spits1963]

What a punk Savard is, linesman should have turned that guy loose and then watch Savard turtle like a bitch. The boys will remember this.

 

[donjohnson]

What a punk Savard is, linesman should have turned that guy loose and then watch Savard turtle like a bitch. The boys will remember this.

This is hilarious...the Flint players are taking loads of cheap shots in the corner at the final horn of a 4-1 game and yet Savard is the punk. Sure, he was talking WAY too much trash with a mask on (he took a puck to the face a few week ago BTW) but all of his antics were in retaliation to the continued cheap shots by the Flint players. Flint is a MUCH bigger/stronger team and they've spent two games trying to bully the Saginaw team. Guyerev(sp?) cross checks everyone at every whistle, Piercy is chasing Parekh around, Giroux is so all over Misa he may as well ask for his autograph. It's dirty shot after dirty shot and the Spirit players smile and skate away while Flint gets called for penalties. Parekh is the only one I've seen for Saginaw giving any cheap shots back. He's very talented but he's going to find himself on the suspension list a few times over his OHL career.

Saginaw is NOT going to win a physical battle against Flint and it's clear that's the strategy they went with over the first two games. I didn't think Saginaw would be able to handle that strategy but they've definitely taken care of business over the first couple of games. I expect that both of the games in Flint are going to be a real challenge because the building will be very loud for the home team and Flint plays very well at home. If Saginaw steals one on the road, I think we win the series but if Flint holds serve at home and it comes back to Saginaw 2-2, I think it's anyone's series.

Regardless, these first two games have been so fun and so intense to watch. Since this is a Flint page, I'm guessing many of you went to Wings playoff games during their championship runs and the games the last two nights had all the intensity and excitement of those ones. That's a credit to the Flint team and also the Flint fans who were in the building for making these games so fun.

 

[MJ5]

This is hilarious...the Flint players are taking loads of cheap shots in the corner at the final horn of a 4-1 game and yet Savard is the punk. Sure, he was talking WAY too much trash with a mask on (he took a puck to the face a few week ago BTW) but all of his antics were in retaliation to the continued cheap shots by the Flint players. Flint is a MUCH bigger/stronger team and they've spent two games trying to bully the Saginaw team. Guyerev(sp?) cross checks everyone at every whistle, Piercy is chasing Parekh around, Giroux is so all over Misa he may as well ask for his autograph. It's dirty shot after dirty shot and the Spirit players smile and skate away while Flint gets called for penalties. Parekh is the only one I've seen for Saginaw giving any cheap shots back. He's very talented but he's going to find himself on the suspension list a few times over his OHL career.

Saginaw is NOT going to win a physical battle against Flint and it's clear that's the strategy they went with over the first two games. I didn't think Saginaw would be able to handle that strategy but they've definitely taken care of business over the first couple of games. I expect that both of the games in Flint are going to be a real challenge because the building will be very loud for the home team and Flint plays very well at home. If Saginaw steals one on the road, I think we win the series but if Flint holds serve at home and it comes back to Saginaw 2-2, I think it's anyone's series.

Regardless, these first two games have been so fun and so intense to watch. Since this is a Flint page, I'm guessing many of you went to Wings playoff games during their championship runs and the games the last two nights had all the intensity and excitement of those ones. That's a credit to the Flint team and also the Flint fans who were in the building for making these games so fun.

Flint players taking cheap shots in the corner on the final horn? Go watch that again, it's Savard throwing a punch/elbow at Smith, and then chirping with full cage on like he's a tough guy.

 

[Savard18]

Being the bigger, stronger, heavier playing team doesn’t work as well in the OHL as the Pro’s and not as well in Round 1 as deeper in the playoffs but it doesn’t matter at all if you can’t get out of Round 1. I think Lazary has out coached Dent all year and I warned all the guys in my section who were excited for this series that it’s going to be a 17yo goalie and/or a horrible OA goalie vs a finally healthy OA Tristan Lennox too. Add in the fact they’re getting slaughtered in the special teams battle which has been a theme all year. Now I know I’ve got a bunch of people at my work who were sick as hell this week and maybe that’s heavily contributing too but they’re clearly struggling to produce offense and it’s not like we’ve seen a lot of ACTUAL big hits out of them either. Kressler MIA AGAIN is unbelievable. He hasn’t been able to stay on the ice his entire time in Flint and I’ll always think missing him Is why Flint didn’t wrap up the WCF in 6 last year. Although I started to have my doubts earlier this year, I’m back to believing Day is going to be as good or better than Luke Cavallin who is the best goalie Flint has ever had. I’m still dissapointed Dent didn’t move Lombardi and Kuzmin at the deadline when they were a 6-7 seed and build around the ‘05 group. He could’ve positioned them to be real strong group next year and then a true powerhouse the year after. I think the longer the series goes, the more it’ll shift in Flint’s favor but if they lose the next one it’s all but over and I don’t like their odds of a game 7 in Saginaw anyway.

 

[Hockytwn51419]

Being the bigger, stronger, heavier playing team doesn’t work as well in the OHL as the Pro’s and not as well in Round 1 as deeper in the playoffs but it doesn’t matter at all if you can’t get out of Round 1. I think Lazary has out coached Dent all year and I warned all the guys in my section who were excited for this series that it’s going to be a 17yo goalie and/or a horrible OA goalie vs a finally healthy OA Tristan Lennox too. Add in the fact they’re getting slaughtered in the special teams battle which has been a theme all year. Now I know I’ve got a bunch of people at my work who were sick as hell this week and maybe that’s heavily contributing too but they’re clearly struggling to produce offense and it’s not like we’ve seen a lot of ACTUAL big hits out of them either. Kressler MIA AGAIN is unbelievable. He hasn’t been able to stay on the ice his entire time in Flint and I’ll always think missing him Is why Flint didn’t wrap up the WCF in 6 last year. Although I started to have my doubts earlier this year, I’m back to believing Day is going to be as good or better than Luke Cavallin who is the best goalie Flint has ever had. I’m still dissapointed Dent didn’t move Lombardi and Kuzmin at the deadline when they were a 6-7 seed and build around the ‘05 group. He could’ve positioned them to be real strong group next year and then a true powerhouse the year after. I think the longer the series goes, the more it’ll shift in Flint’s favor but if they lose the next one it’s all but over and I don’t like their odds of a game 7 in Saginaw anyway.

Wow... I guess you can't be sick or injured or just have a bad game. You haven't like the "horrible OA goalie" since he was brought in (not sure if its a personal thing or what and yes I have read all your posts regarding Cranley). Last time I checked this was a TEAM sport, Cranley has played well (yes he has let some soft goals in but so has Day and every other goalie in the OHL for that matter), no he isn't Cavy but neither is Day, you can't take as many penalties as we do, turn the puck over as much in the neutral zone and leave your goalies hanging . They made it to the WCF last year as a team, yes Cavy played great but I'm sure he will be the first to say it wasn't just me. IMO resting the guys the last game took away their momentum, but that being said the rookies played well. Maybe you'll get your wish about Kuzmin and Lombardi when they are either playing in the ECHL or the AHL for their OA season.

Hmmmm, would you rather have a semi healthy Kressler out on the ice and possibly get injured worse or puke? I'm going with a healthier Kressler and a healthy TEAM.

I'm actually glad I didn't hold my breath for you to say anything nice about Cranley when he went in for Day on the 11th and got the win or on the 12th, cause damn I'd be unresponsive.

Either way GO Firebirds!!

 

[Hockytwn51419]

Flint players taking cheap shots in the corner on the final horn? Go watch that again, it's Savard throwing a punch/elbow at Smith, and then chirping with full cage on like he's a tough guy.

Still Blake's fault, LOL. Had some guy at the game last night say Flint 77 is a big goon (all 5'6" of him).

 

[dirty12]

Still Blake's fault, LOL. Had some guy at the game last night say Flint 77 is a big goon (all 5'6" of him).

5’6” might be generous

 

[Hockytwn51419]

5’6” might be generous

With skates maybe? LOL

 

[Savard18]

Wow... I guess you can't be sick or injured or just have a bad game. You haven't like the "horrible OA goalie" since he was brought in (not sure if its a personal thing or what and yes I have read all your posts regarding Cranley). Last time I checked this was a TEAM sport, Cranley has played well (yes he has let some soft goals in but so has Day and every other goalie in the OHL for that matter), no he isn't Cavy but neither is Day, you can't take as many penalties as we do, turn the puck over as much in the neutral zone and leave your goalies hanging . They made it to the WCF last year as a team, yes Cavy played great but I'm sure he will be the first to say it wasn't just me. IMO resting the guys the last game took away their momentum, but that being said the rookies played well. Maybe you'll get your wish about Kuzmin and Lombardi when they are either playing in the ECHL or the AHL for their OA season.

Hmmmm, would you rather have a semi healthy Kressler out on the ice and possibly get injured worse or puke? I'm going with a healthier Kressler and a healthy TEAM.

I'm actually glad I didn't hold my breath for you to say anything nice about Cranley when he went in for Day on the 11th and got the win or on the 12th, cause damn I'd be unresponsive.

Either way GO Firebirds!!

So, there’s a lot to address here. I’m gonna break it into 3 parts and respond as I get time today. One. I don’t have any personal issues with Cranley and I would have loved to see him reach his potential and lead this team this year. It never happened and he lost the starters role to a 17yo goalie. That does not happen to a 20yo NHL signed OA goalie unless two things happen. The 17yo plays very well and outplays him by a wide margin AND the OA fails to perform to an acceptable level. My issues started with the fact that Dent would bring in an OA that had NEVER had decent numbers and paid a 3rd and a 5th (according to a reputable source). Goalies are the least expensive position to acquire, OA goalies even more so. Cranley’s #’s are bad. An .884 save%? Here’s the thing. He had a save % over .900 early in the year, so how bad are those numbers since Dec 1? Terrible. The thing is though, those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Yes, the team had let him down frequently with defensive lapses and breakdowns until recently but his season can be summed up by “the soft goal at the absolute worst time”. and it’s EVERY single game. Let’s take just the last two games. Go watch the replays. OS up by 1 goal in the 3rd period with Flint going on the PP and a chance to tie the game late. The crowd would have went insane and it would have been huge for the kids. Instead, OS flips the puck from one corner of the ice to the opposite corner. The puck comes out at an angle, the D has Deni Goure mostly tied up and Will actually tracks Goure instead of the puck. Go watch. He slides across positioning himself in front of Goure who doesn’t have the puck. The puck is off to Cranley’s left and he overslides leaving the net open on his glove side so Deni Goure with ONE HAND (because the D has him mostly tied up) can flip the puck past Cranley. So instead of having a chance to tie the game on the PP, they’re down two because Cranley failed to make a routine save. Saginaw. Day gets pulled. The score is 4-1. It’s not good, but it ain’t completely over yet. Dent sends his OA goalie in to settle the boys down and change the momentum. First shot. Goal. Pretty much game over. Now, Cranley was cold and it was a prime scoring chance but watch it. The puck is stretching the twine behind Will and he doesn’t even react to the shot at all until it’s already in the net. Seriously? I mean, it’s not like that was the quick release of Brett Hull that beat him. I know I’m hard on him but it’s been bad. He’s not a kid. He’s 21 years old and has an NHL signing bonus ($85,000?) in his bank. The pressure and scrutiny doesn’t get easier from here if he wants hockey to be his career.

 

[Savard18]

Wow... I guess you can't be sick or injured or just have a bad game. You haven't like the "horrible OA goalie" since he was brought in (not sure if its a personal thing or what and yes I have read all your posts regarding Cranley). Last time I checked this was a TEAM sport, Cranley has played well (yes he has let some soft goals in but so has Day and every other goalie in the OHL for that matter), no he isn't Cavy but neither is Day, you can't take as many penalties as we do, turn the puck over as much in the neutral zone and leave your goalies hanging . They made it to the WCF last year as a team, yes Cavy played great but I'm sure he will be the first to say it wasn't just me. IMO resting the guys the last game took away their momentum, but that being said the rookies played well. Maybe you'll get your wish about Kuzmin and Lombardi when they are either playing in the ECHL or the AHL for their OA season.

Hmmmm, would you rather have a semi healthy Kressler out on the ice and possibly get injured worse or puke? I'm going with a healthier Kressler and a healthy TEAM.

I'm actually glad I didn't hold my breath for you to say anything nice about Cranley when he went in for Day on the 11th and got the win or on the 12th, cause damn I'd be unresponsive.

Either way GO Firebirds!!

I’m a huge Kressler fan. I have been since very early in his 16yo season. He’s often a game changer for this team in all 3 zones. The fact of the matter is though, that he’s missed huge amounts of time and big playoff games and it affects the team. When you’re building a roster you’re expecting some injuries but you’re also counting on players being there to perform. I just went and looked. In 3 seasons he’s missed 22, 40 and 21 regular season games. He’s missed the last 4 Firebirds playoff games. All 4 losses. 0-4. Flint in the playoffs with Kressler on the ice? 11-6. Right now they NEED him and right now, yes a 70% Braeden Kressler is better than 0% Braeden Kressler. There’s still a chance but next game is must win.