FLINT (Interstat) — The Flint Firebirds host the Saginaw Spirit on Saturday in a minor league hockey game at Dort Financial Center. Flint enters with a 7-3 record, while Saginaw is 6-6. The teams have met twice this season, and Flint won both matchups, including a 4-3 shootout decision at Saginaw in the most recent meeting.

Saginaw left wing Braidy Wassilyn is a player to watch. In the most recent meeting, he had one goal, one assist and six shots on goal. He also recorded a goal and three assists with four shots at Sarnia, two goals with four shots against Kitchener, and two goals with five shots at Kitchener. Wassilyn had a goal and an assist with six shots against Owen Sound and a goal and an assist with four shots against Windsor. He also had one goal and two assists with three shots at Brampton. Brody George scored one goal on three shots in the most recent meeting, and Dima Zhilkin had one assist with four shots.

Flint center Jimmy Lombardi is a player to watch. He had one goal and seven shots in the most recent meeting. Lombardi also posted a goal and an assist with five shots against Owen Sound, a goal and an assist with five shots against Sarnia, and a goal and four assists with seven shots at London. In other recent games, he had two assists with two shots against Kitchener and an assist with four shots against Niagara. He added one assist and one shot against Soo. Martins Klaucans had a goal and an assist with two shots in the most recent meeting, and Cooper Williams added two assists with one shot.

Saginaw’s most recent result was the 4-3 shootout loss to Flint. Before that, the Spirit lost 2-1 to Owen Sound, defeated Sarnia 7-4, won 9-2 at Sarnia and earned a 3-2 shootout win at Windsor. The Spirit also beat Kitchener 4-2, won 3-2 in overtime at Brampton and lost 4-3 in overtime at Kitchener. Flint’s most recent result was the 4-3 shootout win at Saginaw. The Firebirds also beat Owen Sound 3-2, lost 3-2 in overtime at Guelph, defeated Sarnia 6-4 and topped Kitchener 5-2. Flint also won 7-2 at London and lost 3-2 to Soo.

Saginaw next plays at Soo before hosting Barrie and Guelph. Flint hosts Soo before visiting Kitchener and hosting Barrie.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Flint 4, Saginaw 2. Interstat’s ELO system gives Flint a 67.6 percent probability to win. The over/under for the game is 6.5.