Flint Firebirds 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[AnotherDimwit]

It's really impressive to see the difference under Flache. I definitely think he's doing a much better job getting the team prepared. I agree, still good to sell this year and try for it next year imo. Even selling some, I think they probably can stay ahead of Windsor an Erie and at least get some playoff experience for the young guys as an 8 seed.

I think the most important thing for the club at this point is stability. If they can keep McParlan at GM and Flache at Head Coach I think that'll help so much. Every coach and GM is going have their own unique way they want to build and/or coach and building that out with the same architects I think will do so much. If we can get through a whole development cycle with both it'd make me so happy.

 

[MJ5]

It's really impressive to see the difference under Flache. I definitely think he's doing a much better job getting the team prepared. I agree, still good to sell this year and try for it next year imo. Even selling some, I think they probably can stay ahead of Windsor an Erie and at least get some playoff experience for the young guys as an 8 seed.

I think the most important thing for the club at this point is stability. If they can keep McParlan at GM and Flache at Head Coach I think that'll help so much. Every coach and GM is going have their own unique way they want to build and/or coach and building that out with the same architects I think will do so much. If we can get through a whole development cycle with both it'd make me so happy.

Yeah. Pretty clear with the effort of the boys they had quit on Dent.

That opening weekend was probably the worst weekend I ever remember, and that's saying a lot because we have been through some tough seasons.

 

[Millpond]

Great effort by your boys in OS .
They pretty much owned them .

 

[Savard18]

It's really impressive to see the difference under Flache. I definitely think he's doing a much better job getting the team prepared. I agree, still good to sell this year and try for it next year imo. Even selling some, I think they probably can stay ahead of Windsor an Erie and at least get some playoff experience for the young guys as an 8 seed.

I think the most important thing for the club at this point is stability. If they can keep McParlan at GM and Flache at Head Coach I think that'll help so much. Every coach and GM is going have their own unique way they want to build and/or coach and building that out with the same architects I think will do so much. If we can get through a whole development cycle with both it'd make me so happy.

Totally agree. They’ll need to add a few high end forwards next year but the entire D core and both goalies return next year so that’s my thinking there. I will always dislike attempting zone entries via the ladder/slingshot/whatever you wanna call it but many teams employ it currently so…. Other than that? I have no issues with any of Flache’s systems right now and he’s got the boys playing that’s for sure. I’d like to see a little more aggressive forecheck but you gotta have the speed and the right kids for that. With the way they’re playing right now? I think they can move a body or two at the deadline (hopefully get a solid 16, 17yo in return) and still slide into a 6-7 seed. Maybe even the 5 spot. It’s possible this group can get into Round 2 with Day in net. Get some expierience. I find it HIGHLY unlikely they get any farther this year without additions and I really hope they don’t do that. There’s a few kids still here that have been to a WCF and seen 3 Game 7’s already. We’re only 12 games in but it looks like this could be a solid group this year and be really good with a few moves up front next year.

 

[Hockeypolice]

Big W. Well done boys!

 

[MJ5]

Big W. Well done boys!

Great W. Little shaky in the first like 7-8 minutes of the 2nd. But felt controlled for the most part.

One little mistake by Day cost him the shutout. Better clear and it's a 5-0 game.

 

[Savard18]

Great W. Little shaky in the first like 7-8 minutes of the 2nd. But felt controlled for the most part.

One little mistake by Day cost him the shutout. Better clear and it's a 5-0 game.

That was a really good weekend and I wouldn’t really fault Day on that goal either. He might have just been distracted. I mean, did you see how unattractive the people were on the Jumbotron tonight?

 

[MJ5]

That was a really good weekend and I wouldn’t really fault Day on that goal either. He might have just been distracted. I mean, did you see how unattractive the people were on the Jumbotron tonight?

Fiance' was super pissed since she was eating.

Those jerseys were fantastic by the way.

I've been to America Dunes in Grand Haven and heard Lt. Col. Dan Rooney speak in person there, EJ Gallo is a huge sponsor of Folds of Honor, spent a few spring out there helping writing cocktail menus etc.

The PA announcer didn't do the story justice pre-game.

 

[MJ5]

 

[Hockeypolice]

This road trip will tell us bit more about team character. I belive, the game vs MS helped them to build certain level of confidence. They know now, they're able to compete, and I'm expecting little bit more every week...Go Birds!

 

[MJ5]

This road trip will tell us bit more about team character. I belive, the game vs MS helped them to build certain level of confidence. They know now, they're able to compete, and I'm expecting little bit more every week...Go Birds!

Amazing the change from that first weekend to now.

After that first weekend I was looking at some mock drafts for the #1 pick next year.

 

[Savard18]

This road trip will tell us bit more about team character. I belive, the game vs MS helped them to build certain level of confidence. They know now, they're able to compete, and I'm expecting little bit more every week...Go Birds!

On paper I don’t see the Eastern swing being any more or less difficult than the Northern swing. If they can replicate or improve on that performance that would be a massive W in my opinion.

 

[dirty12]

On paper I don’t see the Eastern swing being any more or less difficult than the Northern swing. If they can replicate or improve on that performance that would be a massive W in my opinion.

Depends as some teams’ eastern trips are; Petes on Thurs, Fronts Fri, and ‘67s Sat afternoon.

 

[Savard18]

Depends as some teams’ eastern trips are; Petes on Thurs, Fronts Fri, and ‘67s Sat afternoon.

Flint has Saginaw on Wed and then Guelph, Erie this weekend. I don’t know why I was thinking they had those 3 on an Eastern swing coming up. If they did though, I think the travel and quality of those 3 teams RIGHT NOW is pretty comparable to Barrie-Sudbury-North Bay. In a few months I think time, transactions and the weather will make a Northern swing a much more formidable task.

 

[Savard18]

F*%#!!! We’re back to site glitching on iPhones? I’m not retyping that tonight.

 

[Savard18]

Nice comeback win by the ‘Birds in Erie to salvage a pretty rough start to the week. 2pts out of 3 road games vs two teams expected to contend and one I think is a bit underrated isn’t great but it’s far from the worst result. I think the fact that the D is still young and relatively inexperienced shows at times and hurts them. I don’t know whether it’s the fact he’s not as insulated as last year but Stojkov doesn’t seem to have developed much since last year. He’ll either be ok or terrible lately. His game in Saginaw was bad. Guelph was even worse. He was decent against Erie. He rarely engages physically and it costs them at times. Brown looked good in net. I don’t think I’ll be very nervous the next time time I see he’s starting. Impressive performance. Dann had the nicest goal I’ve seen him have in a Flint uniform. That was slick. Hayes finally throwing the body around. That’ll be huge for this club if he continues that. Especially with the loss of Ethan Hay.

 

[Hockeypolice]

To be completely honest, first pairing was - 5 in Saginaw and I agree Stojkov had an awful game in Guelph. But, again he needs to be more aggressive and physical, especially with situations when puck is placed deep. He does very good job with his stick, but that's not enough. He needs to engage his body, along with his good footwork.

 

[Savard18]

Excellent time out call by Flache. Nice to see him a bit animated and keeping it a bit short. I’m assuming he also said something along the lines of “Pssst. Tell the ref I’ll hook him up if he takes care of us.” I’m not sure whether Dann actually got slashed or not but Slavicek definetly had a nice tackle just before that.

 

[MJ5]

Excellent time out call by Flache. Nice to see him a bit animated and keeping it a bit short. I’m assuming he also said something along the lines of “Pssst. Tell the ref I’ll hook him up if he takes care of us.” I’m not sure whether Dann actually got slashed or not but Slavicek definetly had a nice tackle just before that.

I'll have to watch the replay. Was at MSU vs Butler and then walked next door to watch MSU knock off #1 Wisconsin.

 

[Savard18]

I'll have to watch the replay. Was at MSU vs Butler and then walked next door to watch MSU knock off #1 Wisconsin.

It was a solid game by most if not all. Late soft goal by Day but he played good. Dann with a rough turnover for London’s 1st. Flint was up by 2 with London’s net empty. Pretty good chance Flint was still getting the W but refs missed a big one right in front of them on Slavicek to seal the game. Hunter had them adjusted by the 3rd but Flint hung on to get it done with a smart time-out by Flache to help settle the boys.

 

[MJ5]

It was a solid game by most if not all. Late soft goal by Day but he played good. Dann with a rough turnover for London’s 1st. Flint was up by 2 with London’s net empty. Pretty good chance Flint was still getting the W but refs missed a big one right in front of them on Slavicek to seal the game. Hunter had them adjusted by the 3rd but Flint hung on to get it done with a smart time-out by Flache to help settle the boys.

Good to see Kaden back in the lineup. Great individual play by Coulson on his first goal.

Day looked solid in the 1st and 2nd, looked like a couple big stops. Dickinson is ridiculous.

Dann missing the net , good text book tackle by Slavicek. Haven't seen Carins in Flint this year yet, but man hes still a .

 

[StingUpdates]

What are the chances u think we see u guys add pieces this season? Been great under new HC. Three good OA Fs. Hayes top 5 goal scorer won't be back. C. Pitre a stud could not be back. Slavicek been solid & won't be back.

Not great but certainly not a bad T3 D in Bertucci, Smith, Stojkov then Day in net. Loaded on picks to trade. Conference is wide open especially with LDN KIT unable to add much, OS being worse than anticipated, GUE losing Potrais.

Upgrade your other import, add another T9 F & a legit T4 Dman & are you that far off? Three 2nds + two 3rds in the upcoming draft. Two 3rds in the 25, 26 & 27 drafts, too. Can't see u keeping all those. Maybe not even a rental maybe u try the 2 yr player trade (Beck last yr)

 

[dirty12]

Flint could contend if able to add D which seem to me in short supply. The Petes will be reluctant to part with McCoy, but for an outrageous offer he would an ideal two year player for Flint

 

[MJ5]

What are the chances u think we see u guys add pieces this season? Been great under new HC. Three good OA Fs. Hayes top 5 goal scorer won't be back. C. Pitre a stud could not be back. Slavicek been solid & won't be back.

Not great but certainly not a bad T3 D in Bertucci, Smith, Stojkov then Day in net. Loaded on picks to trade. Conference is wide open especially with LDN KIT unable to add much, OS being worse than anticipated, GUE losing Potrais.

Upgrade your other import, add another T9 F & a legit T4 Dman & are you that far off? Three 2nds + two 3rds in the upcoming draft. Two 3rds in the 25, 26 & 27 drafts, too. Can't see u keeping all those. Maybe not even a rental maybe u try the 2 yr player trade (Beck last yr)

Sitting 7th now, I don't think they are 2 players from being a top 4 team. Think that's pretty clear it's Saginaw, London, Kitch, and Soo.

AT this time, I would rather sell Hayes/Kressler at the deadline and make next year a go for it year.

They could also go on a run here and by the end of December I could be screaming buy buy buy.

 

[dmead]

Full marks to the Firebirds. They came out skating and buried their chances early. Took the Knights right off their game and took the crowd out of it. A good win. Well played.

During warmups I told my friend this was a better team than the record indicated. They must have heard me.