SmartStop Post-Game Recap – The Win Streak Continues
SmartStop Post-Game Recap – The Win Streak Continues
The Mississauga Steelheads put up 8 goals in a dominant win against the Flint Firebirds.
First Period
The Misissauga Steelheads took the ice for the first time this week, taking on a team from south of the border, the Flint Firebirds. The series finale between these teams was also the first meeting between the two at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre since the 2019-20 season.
The game started with great pace and the first period was a busy one.
The Steelheads were on the receiving end of an early breakaway opportunity. Alessio Beglieri stood tall and made the save on the chance, but the Steelheads committed a penalty on the play. On the ensuing power play, Riley Piercy, who drew the penalty, put the Firebirds ahead early.
Less than two minutes after the goal, the Steelheads responded with great offensive zone pressure. The increased intensity paid dividends as a point shot from Chas Sharpe was redirected by Luke Misa, which knotted the game up at 1-1 and extended his scoring streak to four-straight games. James Hardie also received an assist, pushing his point streak to 11-straight games.
The goal went to the legs of the Trout, providing a spark to the team. However, the Firebirds were able to capitalize on a great passing play and make it 2-1 courtesy of one of the league’s top five goal scorers, Amadeus Lombardi.
The game settled down after the Firebirds regained the lead with both teams trading chances. Beglieri made the saves necessary to keep the game within a goal. Finally, the Trout were able to tie the game once again as Kai Schwindt made a spectacular pass over to linemate Porter Martone, who made no mistake in putting the puck past goalie Will Cranley. Jack Van Volsen tallied an assist on Martone’s second goal in as many games.
With under a minute left in the period, the Steelheads found themselves in penalty trouble once again. Alessio Beglieri battled through traffic to make numerous saves and managed to get his team to the intermission with the game tied at two.
Shots on Goal – 14 FLNT/12 MISS
Second Period
The Steelheads started the period shorthanded, however the offense didn’t come to a halt as Adam Zidlicky had an early breakaway chance, the Firebirds were able to recover defensively and cause Zidlicky to fan on the shot.
Shortly after the Trout returned to even strength, Brice Cooke flew in on the rush, ripping a slapshot off the post. The Firebirds goaltender was unaware of where the puck went, allowing for Justin DeZoete to pounce on the loose puck and fire it off the Flint goaltender and into the net, giving the Steelheads their first lead of the game.
The Steelheads found themselves in more penalty trouble, however ever so consistent Alessio Beglieri battled through traffic to make multiple saves and most importantly keeping the Trout up 3-2.
Shots on Goal – 11 FLNT/11 MISS
Third Period
The Trout started the third period firing on all cylinders.
Starting the period on a power play, Mississauga capitalized just 30 seconds into the final frame as Zander Veccia won the battle for the puck and bumped it to Hardie, who found a wide open Misa. The sophomore centreman made a slick forehand-backhand move and roofed it into the back of the net to add some insurance.
Shortly after, the game found its way to four-on-four hockey, providing some open ice. Van Volsen picked up the puck in the neutral zone and took a shot which narrowly missed wide. Martone picked up the puck and slid it over to Charlie Callaghan, who beat the Flint goaltender clean on the glove side to make it 5-2 for the Blue and White.
The offensive onslaught did not stop there, as Veccia showed off his hand-eye coordination by bunting the puck into the back of the net. The goal was reviewed for a potential glove pass, however it stood. Misa and Hardie recorded their third point of the evening on the goal, a combined eight points on the night for this line.
The Steelheads headed back to the power play with 10:37 remaining in the period. On the ensuing power play, captain Hardie was cross-checked up high and the offending Firebirds player was assessed a 5 minute major for cross checking.
The Steelheads found themselves on various different power plays as the Firebirds could not seem to stay out of the box.
On yet another power play, Sharpe received a pass from Van Volsen and rifled one home to score his fifth power play goal of the year, leading his team in both power play goals and points. Van Volsen and Callaghan received the assists.
Shortly after the game finally found its way to even strength, Martone took the puck for a skate and dangled through various Firebirds defenders and beat the netminder to score an unbelievable goal which made it 8-2 Steelheads. Stevie Leskovar earned his first-career point with the assist on the final goal of the night.
Shots on Goal – 6 FLNT/16 MISS
Total Shots – 31 FLNT/39 MISS
Three Stars:
- Luke Misa (2G, 1A)
- Porter Martone (2G, 1A)
- Player name (3A)
The Steelheads will look to keep the streak going as they take on the league-leading Ottawa 67’s at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre on Sunday afternoon, puck drops at 2:00 PM. To purchase tickets, click here.
