The Soo Greyhounds are seeing some improvements.
The team dropped a 3-2 Ontario Hockey League decision to the Flint Firebirds at the Dort Federal Event Center on Saturday night in Flint, but the team is looking to build on a work ethic that has helped the team remain in games.
“We’re taking these losses to heart,” said Greyhounds forward Cole MacKay.
“The game in Sarnia (on Friday) was way better than the one at home against Windsor (last weekend), and then tonight we were better than we were in Sarnia last night,” MacKay also said. “We can see ourselves getting better every game. Although the wins aren’t coming right now, it’s definitely something to build on going forward.”
For Greyhounds coach John Dean, Saturday was a chance to challenge the group, a group that had lost six straight heading into the game.
“For whatever reason, the hockey gods are out to get us for a couple games here, but the reality is we challenged the guys tonight to go get it themselves tonight,” Dean said. “Don’t hope for it. Don’t wish for it. Go get it themselves and they gave themselves every opportunity to get it tonight.”
The second-year bench boss also said the team can take a lot from the weekend, which included a loss in Sarnia on Friday night.
“The first five or six minutes of the first period, we looked a little shaky, then after that, the guys seemed to get their swagger back,” Dean also said. “There is a lot to be taken from this weekend.
“I’m proud of the group for both games,” Dean added. “There’s some good coming our way and I’ve got a feeling that once it comes, it’s going to snowball into some more wins.”
MacKay and Robert Calisti scored for the Greyhounds while goaltender Christian Propp made 31 saves.
“Propp was fantastic,” Dean said. “He told me after the first period that the first goal was on him, but he was a monster for the rest of the game. He kept us in the game and gave us a chance to win.”
A power play goal by Ethan Keppen just under five minutes into the third period was the difference in the game.
Jake Durham and Cody Morgan also scored for the Firebirds.
“It wasn’t an easy game,” Flint coach Eric Wellwood said on the Firebirds TV broadcast.
“We got from our game the last two weeks prior (to this weekend), maybe focusing on the other team a bit too much and getting away from what we do best,” Wellwood also said. “In the first period tonight, we played extremely well. The second period, we got into some penalty trouble, but we brought it back. In the third period, we did what we had to do to get the win.”
Anthony Popovich made 29 saves for Flint.
“He made the saves when we needed him,” Wellwood said. “(Propp) played well as well and made some big saves. We made the acquisition for Poppy for these reasons.”
Greyhounds captain Ryan O’Rourke left the game in the second period after going heavily into the end boards in the Flint zone.
The second-year defenceman did not return to the game.
Dean said the severity of the injury wasn’t known following the game.
The Greyhounds fall to 6-12-1-0 heading into a midweek road game against the Sudbury Wolves on Wednesday night at Sudbury Arena.
Flint remains in top spot in the OHL’s West Division with a 12-5-0-0 record. The team has won eight of their last 11 games.
In other action around the OHL on Saturday night, in Hamilton, Owen Gilhula had a goal and two assists as the Sudbury Wolves beat the Hamilton Bulldogs 7-3. Blake Murray, Quinton Byfield, and Nolan Hutcheson had a goal and an assist each for the Wolves.
In Guelph, four unanswered goals listed the Guelph Storm to a 4-2 win over the Kingston Frontenacs. Pavel Gogolev had a goal and two assists for the Storm. Cam Hillis set up three goals for Guelph.
In Saginaw, Marshall Frappier made 24 saves as the Saginaw Spirit blanked the Mississauga Steelheads 2-0. Davis Codd and Cole Coskey scored for Saginaw.
In Windsor, the Windsor Spitfires scored five timed in the third period to beat the North Bay Battalion 6-4. Will Cuylle and Curtis Douglas had two goals each while Jean-Luc Foudy had a goal and two assists for Windsor. Louka Henault assisted on three goals for the Spitfires.
In Barrie, Hayden Fowler and Maxim Golod had a goal and an assist each as the Erie Otters beat the Barrie Colts 4-2.
In Owen Sound, Dylan Miskiw made 41 saves as the London Knights beat the Owen Sound Attack 4-2. Liam Foudy had a pair of goals for London. Connor McMichael chipped in with a goal and two assists.