GAME REPORT | Sting Defeat Spitfires, Take 3-2 Series Lead

The Sarnia Sting hosted the Windsor Spitfires on Friday night. It was game five of their best-of-seven first round series.

Back on home ice, the Sting put on a front-to-back effort in front of a packed crowd at Progressive Auto Sales Arena.

In the first period, Sting forward Ryan McGregor nearly gave the home side an early lead. McGregor broke in shorthanded on Windsor goalie Michael DiPietro and beat him clean blocker side. But, it was determined McGregor was narrowly offside. We remained scoreless.

As it always seems to go, with Windsor remaining on the man advantage, they scored a powerplay goal just moments later. Tyler Angle gave the Spits a 1-0 lead.

With a little under seven minutes left in the first, the Sting got on the board. Cam Dineen sent a hard point shot in from the blueline that took a few bounces and got by DiPietro. It appeared Jordan Ernst got a stick on it, and the celebration certainly indicated an excited Ernst. Dineen was ultimately credited with the goal. Either way, it didn’t matter to the boys – we had a 1-0 lead.

In the second, Sting forward Sean Josling continued his outstanding first round series. Josling took a nifty setup from Jonathan Ang to score his third of the playoffs. With seven points in the first five games, Josling has emerged as one of Sarnia’s most dynamic postseason threats.

IN GAME | @seanjosling is 🔥🔥! Josling's third goal of the series comes off a perfect setup from @jonathanang21, who for the record, is also 🔥🔥!#BelieveTheBuzz #SARvsWSR pic.twitter.com/7wcoCJk1iF

— Sarnia Sting (@StingHockey) March 31, 2018

With time counting down in the third period, Sting forward Michael Pezzetta scored to give us a 3-1 lead. Pezzetta’s first of the playoffs sent The Hive into a frenzy. While the goal was being reviewed, DiPietro left the Windsor crease with an apparent injury. Spitfires backup Brock Baier came in to complete the remainder of the evening.

Spits forward Jake Smith brought the visitors within one, but the Sting were in control all night long.

Hugo Leufvenius added the empty netter for Sarnia, giving him his fourth goal of the series. All in, the Sting came away with a 4-2 victory.

Justin Fazio recorded the win in net, stopping twenty-three shots for the Sting.

Tonight’s official box score can be viewed here.

We return to action for game six on Sunday in Windsor! Puck drop is 2:05 PM at the WFCU Centre.