GAME REPORT | Kyrou Sets Record, Leading Sting to 7-4 Victory Over Otters
Jordan Kyrou came to the Sarnia Sting a little over three years ago. Kyrou was a second-round pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection. It’s fair to say he’s come a long way since then.
The Sarnia Sting hosted the Erie Otters on Friday night and on this night, Kyrou became the Sting’s all-time leader in assists. Kyrou recorded his 159th career assist on a goal by Adam Ruzicka. On the play, Kyrou surpassed former long-time Sting star Kris Newbury as the franchise record holder.
The Sarnia Sting have a new all-time franchise assists record holder – Congratulations Captain Kyrou! @JordanKyrou passes Kris Newbury with 159 career 🍎's for the Sting pic.twitter.com/lQivHLS9eK
— Sarnia Sting (@StingHockey) December 9, 2017
Back to the game itself, the Sting were in full control of the Otters in the second and third periods tonight.
In the first, Erie forward Alex Gritz opened the evening’s scoring. Gritz caught hold of a rebound in front of Sting goaltender Aidan Hughes.
Drake Rymsha started things up for Sarnia. Rymsha scored his sixteenth of the season. It was a perfect cross-ice pass from linemate Anthony Salinitri. Rymsha sent the puck up and over Otters goalie Troy Timpano.
Gritz popped another one shortly after, sliding a low goal past Hughes.
Adam Ruzicka then tied the game at 2-2. Kyrou picked up his first of two assists on the evening. It was a tremendous assist by Kyrou, too. Kyrou feathered a long pass to a streaking Ruzicka, who deflected it top shelf past a sliding Timpano.
Erie forward Taylor Raddysh gave the Otters a 3-2 lead heading into intermission, but it would turn out to be the last of their lead.
In the second period, Salinitri had a great chance early. Salinitri rushed in while battling an Otters defender one-on-one, narrowly missing what would have been a highlight reel goal. But, it set the tone.
With four minutes remaining in the second, Kyrou broke the record. Ruzicka scored his second goal of the night, and of course Kyrou was the man to set it up. Check it out below.
ALL-TIME STING ASSISTS RECORD
📺 Watch the goal that made @JordanKyrou the Sting's all-time leader in assists! @ARuzicka21 finishes it off! #SwarmWithUs pic.twitter.com/NflOSzLiDh
— Sarnia Sting (@StingHockey) December 9, 2017
Sting forward Brayden Guy boosted the home side into a 4-3 lead just seventeen seconds later. Going into the final frame, it was all Sarnia.
In the third, Brady Hinz was blessed with a strange bounce off the back wall behind Timpano. They all count.
Though the Otters got one last goal, the Sting finished strong. Kyrou and Hugo Leufvenius finished the night off with a goal each. Kyrou picked up his nineteenth goal of the season, and Leufvenius scored his eighth in the last eight games.
Justin Fazio entered the game to start the second period and recorded the win between the pipes.
Tonight’s official boxscore can be viewed here.
NEXT HOME GAME: STING vs. PETES
Saturday, December 9 | 7:05 PM
Progressive Auto Sales Arena
#SwarmWithUs | Secure your seats here.
