Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
Following a dramatic 4-3 overtime victory over the Sarnia Sting on Friday, October 2nd, the Soo Greyhounds headed north along Interstate 75 in Michigan on Saturday night for a matchup with the Flint Firebirds.
The Greyhounds entered the contest looking to build on the momentum from their overtime victory, while Flint was looking to defend home ice. By the end of the night, it was the Greyhounds celebrating another victory, as rookie goaltender David Vermirovsky earned the first OHL regular season win of his career in a 3-2 victory.
Firebirds Strike First
Flint opened the scoring at the 10:01 mark of the first period when Darian Anderson scored his fourth goal of the season. Jimmy Lombardi and James Paul picked up the assists as the Firebirds grabbed an early 1-0 lead.
The Greyhounds responded just over two minutes later.
At 12:04, Christopher Brown scored his first goal of the season to bring Sault Ste. Marie even at 1-1. Brady Smith recorded the lone assist on Brown’s goal.
The Greyhounds then took control of the game late in the opening frame.
At 15:32, Colin Fitzgerald scored his third goal of the season on the power play, giving Sault Ste. Marie its first lead of the night. Callum Croskery and Noah Laus assisted on the man-advantage marker.
Just over three minutes later, the Greyhounds added another.
Ryan Kaczynski found the back of the net at 18:58 for his seventh goal of the season. Jakub Winkelhofer and Trevor Daley Jr. picked up the assists as the Greyhounds carried a 3-1 advantage into the first intermission.
Flint Cuts Into the Lead
The Firebirds came out looking to erase the two-goal deficit in the second period.
At 5:46, Charlie Murata scored his first goal of the season to bring Flint within one. Xavier Tessier and Ryland Cunningham were credited with the assists.
The goal made it a 3-2 game and set up a tense remainder of the contest.
Neither team was able to find the back of the net for the rest of the second period, and the Greyhounds took their one-goal lead into the final frame.
Vermirovsky Shuts the Door
With Flint pressing for the equalizer, the Greyhounds needed a strong performance between the pipes from David Vermirovsky.
The young goaltender delivered.
Vermirovsky stopped 23 of the 25 shots he faced, holding the Firebirds off the scoresheet through the remainder of the game to secure the victory.
The performance marked a significant milestone in his young career, as Vermirovsky earned his first career OHL regular season win.
At the other end of the ice, Flint goaltender Mason Courville turned aside 26 of 29 Greyhounds shots.
The Greyhounds ultimately held on for the 3-2 road victory, making it back-to-back wins following Friday night’s overtime triumph in Sarnia.
Greyhounds Head Home
The Soo Greyhounds now return home to prepare for their next challenge.
Sault Ste. Marie will welcome the Kitchener Rangers to the Memorial Gardens on Friday, October 9th, with puck drop scheduled for 7:07 p.m.
After earning consecutive road victories in Sarnia and Flint, the Greyhounds will look to carry that momentum into their return home.
For Vermirovsky, Saturday night will be a game to remember as he recorded his first OHL regular season victory, helping the Greyhounds complete a successful weekend on the road.
