In “The I-75 Series,” the Flint Firebirds beat the Saginaw Spirit 4-3 in a shootout at The Dow Event Center in Saginaw on Friday. Although Flint jumped out to a 3-0 first-period lead, paced by goals from forwards Martins Klaucens (2027 DE), Jimmy Lombardi (LAK) & Brady Smith (2027 DE). Thereafter, Spirit goaltender Brady Knowling (SJS) held the Firebirds scoreless through the final two periods and OT, finishing with 22 saves on 25 shots. His Flint counterpart, Trenten Bennett (NJD), stopped 35 of 38 shots to claim the victory.
As advertised, Spirit forwards Dima Zhilkin and Braidy Wassilyn (both 2027 DE) are excellent prospects, Zhilkin as a potential top-5 pick and Wassilyn as a re-entry. Wassilyn had two points (1G 1A) on the night, showing a goal-scorer’s touch with a poor-angle, short-side snipe for the second goal. Zhilkin had the primary assist on Wassilyn’s tally, extending his point streak to 12 games. Spirit d-man Tyler Martinyuk (2027 DE) also assisted on this goal, adding to what was an impressive display of his willingness to engage physically with oncoming opponents. He and Flint d-man Nick Bogas (STL), who also thrives in the physical part of the game, will attend Michigan State University next season, while Zhilkin and Wassilyn are committed to the University of Michigan & Boston University, respectively.
Viewing the game in particular for draft-eligible players, also impressing greatly was Spirit d-man Levi Harper. The projected late first-rounder is on pace to score over 100 points this season from the blue-line, and has elite escapability and puck skills. Next season, he will join Zhilkin at the University of Michigan.
The two teams square off again tonight at the Dort Financial Center in Flint.
