KITCHENER (Interstat) — The Flint Firebirds will visit the Kitchener Rangers in minor league hockey Friday at Kitchener Memorial Auditorium in Kitchener, Ontario. Flint enters with a 9-3 record, while Kitchener is 7-8.

Flint forward Jimmy Lombardi is a player to watch. In his most recent game, Lombardi scored one goal on five shots in a 1-0 win against Soo. He also had three assists and two penalty minutes in a 5-2 win against Saginaw and one goal with seven shots in a 4-3 win at Saginaw. Earlier this season, Lombardi had one goal and one assist with five shots and two penalty minutes in a 3-2 win against Owen Sound, one goal and one assist with five shots in a 6-4 win against Sarnia, two assists with two shots in a 5-2 win against Kitchener, and one goal and four assists with seven shots in a 7-2 win at London. He also had one assist and one shot in a 3-2 loss to Soo.

Kitchener forward Tanner Lam is a player to watch. In his most recent game, Lam had two goals and two assists with three shots in a 6-5 overtime loss at Guelph. He also had two assists in a 6-3 win against Guelph and one goal with one shot and two penalty minutes in a 2-1 win at Oshawa. Earlier this season, Lam had two assists in a 5-2 loss at Flint, one assist and two shots with two penalty minutes in a 4-2 loss at Saginaw, one assist in a 3-2 overtime loss at Soo, and two shots in a 6-0 loss at Guelph.

Flint’s most recent result was a 1-0 win against Soo. Lombardi had one goal on five shots, Trenten Bennett made 29 saves on 29 shots, and Darian Anderson had six shots and two penalty minutes. Kitchener’s most recent result was a 6-5 overtime loss at Guelph. Lam had two goals and two assists with three shots, Luca Romano had one goal and one assist with five shots, and Alexander Bilecki had one goal and one assist with four shots. Flint defeated Kitchener 5-2 in the teams’ most recent meeting. Flint also defeated Saginaw 6-2 in its previous home game and won 4-3 in a shootout at Saginaw in its previous road game. Kitchener defeated Guelph 6-3 before its overtime loss at Guelph.

Interstat’s game simulator is projecting a final score of Kitchener 5, Flint 4. Interstat’s ELO system is projecting Kitchener with a 63.2 percent probability to win. The over/under for the game is 6.5.