This one stung- Steelheads fall to the Sting 5-3
BRAMPTON, ON- The Brampton Steelheads got stung by the Sarnia Sting, 5-3, after Easton Wainwright put up two goals in the third period.
While the Steelheads took the lead in the first, the Sting switched things around in the remaining periods. Despite the chance for a Steelhead battleback opportunity, Wainwright secured the Sting’s win with two goals late in the third period.
The first 15 minutes of play saw a lot of back-and-forth, but with no shots registered, the only action seen was Sarnia’s heavy hits and the Steelhead’s power play line in motion. Yet, it was the calm before the storm as the last half of period one showcased a variety of plays, resulting in three goals.
Adam Zidlicky kicked off the scoring for the Steelheads with a beautiful breakaway goal. At the Steelheads’ blue line, Martin Vaculik sent a pass up to Zidlicky in the neutral zone. Using his speed, Zidlicky bypassed two Sting defenders before beating Nick Surzycia five-hole.
Less than a minute later, Carson Rehkopf got into the action, scoring his sixth goal of the season. Porter Martone took a shot from the left face-off dot, which Luke Misa tapped onto the pads of Surzycia. With a huge rebound, Rehkopf wound up and sent the puck five-hole.
Jack Ivankovic stood tall in the first period, making sequences of saves. Despite his best effort, a series of long shifts and special teams led to the Sting making it within one.
With the man advantage following Jakub Fibigr’s tripping penalty, Mitch Young carried the puck down low towards Ivankovic. Faking the shot on Ivankovic’s right side, Young sent a quick pass to Kaeden Johnston, who sent a one-timer into the open net.
The Steelheads ended the first with the lead and aimed to continue the pace in the second. However, within the first 10 seconds of period two, the Sting tied things up.
After the starting face-off, Hughston Hurt got the puck at the Sarnia blue line and sent it over to Johnston in the neutral zone. Johnston made another quick pass over to Zach Filak, who carried the puck over the Steelheads’ blue line up to the face-off circle and sneaked it over the shoulder of Ivankovic.
While no other goals were scored, the second period remained a tough battle. It was a test of special teams as each team showcased what their power play and penalty kill had to offer. Yet it was the goalies that held their teams in the game, facing numerous shots in their respective ends.
Ivankovic, especially, showed his strength after the game went into 5-on-3 following Fibigr’s cross-checking penalty and Parker Von Richter’s high-sticking penalty. He made incredible saves throughout the period, keeping the score tied at two.
The tie game ended in the third as the Sting scored their third goal within the first five minutes. After Johnston made a pass, which deflected off a Steelheads player out front, Tyson Doucette made a quick play to send the puck five-hole.
Down by one and looking to capitalize on a power play following Nathan Omeri’s cross-checking penalty, the Steelheads set out for another intense sequence of scoring chances.
However, after an intercepted pass in the Sarnia end, the Sting were able to increase their lead with a short-handed goal. Using his speed to beat the Steelheads’ defence, Wainwright carried the puck deep into the Steelheads zone before backhanding it five-hole.
Not all hope was lost for the Steelheads as Misa scored late into the third. Martone got the puck off Young behind the Sting’s net and sent it out front to Misa, who one-timed it top-shelf.
Although a battleback was in reach for the Steelheads, the Sting secured their victory with another goal to close the period.
With a rush into the Trout’s zone, Doucette took a shot on goal, which Ivankovic easily deflected. However, a bad rebound sent the puck straight to Wainwright, allowing him to backhand it into the net.
The battle between the Steelheads and the Sting was close, but after a series of special teams, rebounds, and scoring opportunities, Sarnia secured the win.
The Steelheads look to come back strong tomorrow in North Bay against the Battalion. The Trout will return home on Nov. 10 for their Remembrance Day Game against the Brantford Bulldogs. For tickets, click here.
