Flint

[eric8199]

I know everyone here was probably keeping tabs on our friends to the south, but for those who may have missed it, the Firebirds were on quite a run this post-season and kind of mirrored the Spirit run of a couple years ago, falling just short and losing in Game 7 of the conference finals to Windsor after having a chance to clinch in game 6 on home ice the night before.

I didn't get to witness any of the Windsor games, but did make it out to photograph their series clinching win against the Soo. I'll say, they definitely did look impressive. Happy for the fans down there that they got to have a fun post season run and happy for us that they didn't get a trophy before we did. lol.

Was really happy to see Luke Cavallin get a ton of credit for his play down there, as I've always felt he was a great goaltender and he didn't really get a chance to show it until this year.

Also, our former captain's brother Zacharie Giroux had six goals, five assists and 11 points for the Firebirds in the postseason, making him fourth in offense for the team in the playoffs.

Windsor moves on to face an undefeated Hamilton Bulldogs team for the OHL championship, which will not be an easy task.

[twinsdad]

Not that I despise the Firebirds, but I would have been cursing the fates if Flint got into the OHL championship, or worse, the Memorial Cup after being in existence for only seven years. As a Spirit fan, I have watched us not make the playoffs, or getting swept in the first round, 50% of our 20 seasons. We got a sniff of greatness after 17 seasons. To see the Firebirds, with ownership issues and the drama they have had off-ice, get to the promised land this fast, just isn't the right karma.

[hatethewhalers]

twinsdad I don't despise the Firebirds either but that would have rubbed me the wrong way as well. Plus speaking of sniffs they still have that fishy smell to me from their previous existance.

[eric8199]

Yeah, I would have been pretty disappointed too. That being said, I have been reminded a few times that while Flint has had its struggles since it came into existence, the Whalers that the team was formed from weren't exactly a poor team. I wasn't following the OHL prior to the Spirit being formed, but from what I understand, the North Bay Centennials weren't exactly a championship contending team when they were purchased by Richard Garber. So while it FEELS like you are, you're not exactly comparing apples to apples.

[Bthumme]

Jun 6, 2022 10:56:22 GMT -5 eric8199 said:

Yeah, I would have been pretty disappointed too. That being said, I have been reminded a few times that while Flint has had its struggles since it came into existence, the Whalers that the team was formed from weren't exactly a poor team. I wasn't following the OHL prior to the Spirit being formed, but from what I understand, the North Bay Centennials weren't exactly a championship contending team when they were purchased by Richard Garber. So while it FEELS like you are, you're not exactly comparing apples to apples.

So we’re cursed, and doomed to eternal mediocrity?
While Flint still has a bit of the Plymouth magic?

Sounds about right for us.


I was actually pulling for Flint. A good flint team is better for a good Saginaw-flint rivalry, plus reading everywhere online who kept saying flint would be swept. They were 7 minutes away in game 6 from winning.

I know it won’t happen due to our arena, but putting in a bid for the 24 memorial cup would be exciting given our potential team and where I hope we’re headed.

[donjohnson]

Jun 6, 2022 18:16:55 GMT -5 Bthumme said:

Jun 6, 2022 10:56:22 GMT -5 eric8199 said:

Yeah, I would have been pretty disappointed too. That being said, I have been reminded a few times that while Flint has had its struggles since it came into existence, the Whalers that the team was formed from weren't exactly a poor team. I wasn't following the OHL prior to the Spirit being formed, but from what I understand, the North Bay Centennials weren't exactly a championship contending team when they were purchased by Richard Garber. So while it FEELS like you are, you're not exactly comparing apples to apples.

So we’re cursed, and doomed to eternal mediocrity?
While Flint still has a bit of the Plymouth magic?

Sounds about right for us.


I was actually pulling for Flint. A good flint team is better for a good Saginaw-flint rivalry, plus reading everywhere online who kept saying flint would be swept. They were 7 minutes away in game 6 from winning.

I know it won’t happen due to our arena, but putting in a bid for the 24 memorial cup would be exciting given our potential team and where I hope we’re headed.

I'm sure we'll put in for it and with Misa and some of these new party decks, there's always a shot.

[eric8199]

Jun 6, 2022 19:56:54 GMT -5 donjohnson said:

I'm sure we'll put in for it and with Misa and some of these new party decks, there's always a shot.

Those party decks can't be a coincidence, right?

[aj0512]

Did Erie ever bid to host when they had McDavid? Not sure if their renovations were complete back then but they have pretty nice suites now. I always got the sense the CHL would never award the Memorial Cup to an American city.

[Bthumme]

Jun 8, 2022 7:44:30 GMT -5 aj0512 said:

Did Erie ever bid to host when they had McDavid? Not sure if their renovations were complete back then but they have pretty nice suites now. I always got the sense the CHL would never award the Memorial Cup to an American city.

Barrie and Windsor Bid, but lost to London.

If it matters, it has been held in Seattle and Spokane in recent (30 years) time.