(3) Flint Firebirds (44-17-4-3) vs. (6) Owen Sound Attack (27-32-4-5)
The Flint Firebirds and Owen Sound Attack meet in the first round of the 2025 OHL Playoffs, two clubs who arrive with nearly identical late-season momentum, each earning points in 10 of their last 13 games and winning three of their last five. What separates them is the body of work that came before it, and on that front, Flint holds a considerable edge.
The Firebirds won three of four meetings, including a pair of victories on home ice and a win in Owen Sound. The Attack did manage to take the final meeting of the season just a couple of weeks ago, which at the very least provides proof of concept heading into the playoffs. But Flint has owned this matchup, and Owen Sound will need to find a way to solve them in a way they largely could not during the regular season.
Flint Firebirds
This is a Flint team that has spent all season proving it belongs among the league’s top teams. The Firebirds set a new franchise record with 95 points this season, finishing just two points back of first place in the West Division. That kind of campaign does not happen without contributions across the entire roster, but there is no question who has been leading the charge.
Captain Nathan Aspinall has had one of the most impressive individual seasons in the entire league. He doubled his offensive output from a year ago, set a franchise record for most assists in a single season, and became the first player in the OHL to reach the 90-point plateau this season, ultimately finishing second in league scoring with 94 points. Aspinall is the engine of this Flint offence, and in the playoffs, that kind of production from your captain is exactly what you want.
Adding another dangerous wrinkle up front is Kevin He, who was acquired from Niagara and last month caught fire with a 10-game goal-scoring streak. Opposing defences already have their hands full with Aspinall, but add in He and even Jimmy Lombardi, their depth has been nearly impossible to contain.
Between the pipes, Flint carries one of the more interesting goaltending situations in the conference. Overage netminder Mason Vaccari has handled the majority of starts and sits second in the league in wins, while rookie Mason Courville has shown he is more than capable of stepping in when called upon. The “Mason” goaltending duo, as they have come to be known, gives the coaching staff options and flexibility heading into the postseason.
Owen Sound Attack
The Attack earned their playoff spot the hard way. Their position within the Eastern Conference came down to the final day of the regular season, which required Owen Sound to hold off a late Kitchener comeback to clinch the sixth seed.
The biggest storyline surrounding Owen Sound this season was the departure of Carter George, their franchise goaltender, who was dealt at the trade deadline. His absence left a significant void in the crease, and the Attack have had to redistribute that responsibility between Trenten Bennett and Matthew Koprowski. How that tandem performs against a Flint offence that has been scoring in bunches all season will go a long way in determining how far Owen Sound can go.
Up front, the Attack will need their top offensive contributors to deliver in a big way. 2026 NHL Draft prospect Pierce Mbuyi has been the standout of the group, averaging 1.10 points per game with 75 points on the season. Tristan Delisle adds another dangerous option with 64 points, while Harry Nansi has been a reliable playmaker, contributing 56 points with the bulk of his production coming through assists. If all three are clicking, Owen Sound has enough offensive firepower to give Flint problems.
The Firebirds are the better team on paper and have the season series to back it up. A record-setting campaign, the second-leading scorer in the league, a red-hot trade deadline addition, and a proven goaltending tandem make the Firebirds a legitimate threat to go deep in these playoffs.
But Owen Sound is not without hope. They have proven they can score, they have the veteran savvy to compete in tight games, and they know what it feels like to win when it matters most after clinching their position on the final day. If Bennett or Koprowski can find their footing in the crease and the top scores can generate offence consistently, the Attack have the pieces to make this series far more competitive than the regular season suggested, and in the playoffs, one win is all it takes to change a series.
Series Schedule:
* if needed
Game 1 – Thursday, March 26 at Flint, 7:00pm
Game 2 – Saturday, March 28 at Flint, 7:00pm
Game 3 – Monday, March 30 at Owen Sound, 7:00pm
Game 4 – Wednesday, April 1 at Owen Sound, 7:00pm
Game 5 – Saturday, April 4 at Flint, 7:00pm*
Game 6 – Monday, April 6 at Owen Sound, 7:00pm*
Game 7 – Tuesday, April 7 at Flint, 7:00pm*
Season Series:
Flint wins 3-1
Oct. 23 – OS 2 at FLNT 6
Nov. 15 – OS 2 at FLNT 6
Nov. 23 – FLNT 6 at OS 3
Mar. 18 – FLNT 3 at OS 4
Playoff History:
This marks the second time that Flint and Owen Sound have met in the OHL Playoffs.
2022 FLNT def. OS 4-3 – First Round.
