Firebirds Score Three Special Teams Goals in Win Over Greyhounds

Flint scored twice on the power play and added a shorthanded goal in the 5-2 victory

Mar. 14, 2026 at 3:22am

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The Soo Greyhounds fell 5-2 to the Flint Firebirds on Friday night, with Flint scoring twice on the power play and adding a shorthanded goal. The Greyhounds outshot the Firebirds but took several penalties, leading to Flint's special teams success. The loss drops the Greyhounds to 38-20-1-5 on the season, with the London Knights now just one point behind them in the OHL's Western Conference standings.

Why it matters

Special teams play was the difference in this game, as the Firebirds capitalized on their power play opportunities while also scoring a shorthanded goal. The Greyhounds' discipline and penalty kill, which had been strengths this season, faltered in this matchup. The result tightens the race in the Western Conference standings, with the Greyhounds now only one point ahead of the surging London Knights.

The details

Flint opened the scoring in the first period with a power play goal from Nathan Aspinall. They extended the lead to 2-0 with another power play goal from Brady Smith later in the frame. In the third period, Kevin He scored a shorthanded goal to make it 3-0 Firebirds before the Greyhounds got on the board with a power play tally from Lukas Fischer. Flint then scored another power play goal from Jimmy Lombardi to go up 4-1, but the Greyhounds pulled within 4-2 on a goal from Jordan Charron. Aspinall sealed the win with an empty-net goal for Flint.

  • The game was played on Friday, March 14, 2026.
  • Flint opened the scoring at 6:31 of the first period.
  • Flint scored their second power play goal at 12:21 of the first period.
  • Flint's shorthanded goal came at 8:13 of the third period.
  • The Greyhounds scored their first goal 22 seconds after Flint's shorthanded tally.

The players

Flint Firebirds

An Ontario Hockey League team based in Flint, Michigan.

Soo Greyhounds

An Ontario Hockey League team based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Nathan Aspinall

A forward for the Flint Firebirds who scored two goals and had an assist in the game.

Landon Miller

The goaltender for the Soo Greyhounds who made 21 saves in the loss.

Mason Vaccari

The goaltender for the Flint Firebirds who made 30 saves in the win.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of those probably should have been coincidentals. Our guys played really hard. A lot of those easily could have been coincidentals. It's tough to outshoot a team and not have somewhat even power plays.”

— John Dean, Head Coach, Soo Greyhounds

“It wasn't our best game (but) good teams find a way to win when they're not at their best. If they would have stayed out of the box a little bit more, they would have had a bigger push there.”

— Paul Flache, Head Coach, Flint Firebirds

What’s next

The Greyhounds are set to return to action on Sunday afternoon when they host the Brantford Bulldogs at the GFL Memorial Gardens.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the importance of discipline and special teams play in the OHL. The Firebirds were able to capitalize on their power play opportunities and a shorthanded goal, while the Greyhounds struggled with penalties throughout the contest. The result tightens the race in the Western Conference standings, setting up an important matchup for the Greyhounds as they look to maintain their position.