GAME REPORT | Sting Win 6-2 Over Firebirds, Jakovljevic Scores First OHL Goal
Marko Jakovljevic will remember this night for a long, long time.
The Sarnia Sting visited the Flint Firebirds on Friday evening. It was a game that saw Jakovljevic score his first career goal in the Ontario Hockey League.
Selected in this past spring’s inaugural Under-18 Priority Selection, Jakovljevic sent a point shot on goal following an offensive zone faceoff win by Sting forward Franco Sproviero. The puck soared in high on Firebirds goalie Luke Cavallin and straight through into the mesh. Check out the moment below.
💪FIRST OHL GOAL💪
That puck is headed straight for the mantle! @markoj_24 with his first @OHLHockey goal!#SARvsFLNT #SwarmWithUs pic.twitter.com/1fIr0gY38o
— Sarnia Sting (@StingHockey) February 24, 2018
Jakovljevic’s teammates swarmed him at the blueline. And they made sure to go grab that puck. What a moment.
Continuing on with the rest of the game, let’s go back to the first.
Sting defenceman Cam Dineen was the man who got the night off to a rapid-quick start. Dineen scored just fifty-three seconds in. Dineen looped around the top arc of Flint’s zone and fired a wrister through traffic. It found a way by Cavallin, and Sarnia led 1-0 early.
Ryan Littlejohn tied the game for the Firebirds on a one-timer. It was 1-1 after one period of play.
In the middle frame, the Sting took over.
Sean Josling boosted things to a 2-1 lead. Josling battled hard in the Flint crease, and appeared to send the puck off an opposing defenceman’s stick. Either way, we had a one-goal lead.
Midway through, Jakovljevic scored the goal he’s always wanted. Jakovljevic’s first OHL goal gave the Sting a 3-1 lead.
Before the end of the second, Sting forward Drake Rymsha scored his twenty-eighth of the year. Assists to captain Jordan Kyrou – who had four helpers on the evening – and linemate Anthony Salinitri.
In the third period, Michael Pezzetta scored a pair. Pezzetta is now up to twenty-one goals on the season. Check out his breakaway goal below.
IN GAME | @mpezzetta13 with two goals on the night, including this breakaway laser!💥💥#SARvsFLNT #SwarmWithUs pic.twitter.com/IPrHQTnk90
— Sarnia Sting (@StingHockey) February 24, 2018
Sting goaltender Aidan Hughes recorded his ninth win of the season in goal. Hughes stopped twenty-six of twenty-eight shots faced. Rookie netminder Ethan Langevin dressed as the backup goalie. Langevin, a sixth-round pick in the 2017 Priority Selection, signed with the Sting in January.
Tonight’s official box score can be viewed here.
Join us tomorrow night as we host the Erie Otters for Saturday night hockey at The Hive!
NEXT HOME GAME: STING vs. OTTERS
Saturday, February 24 | 7:05 PM
Progressive Auto Sales Arena
#SwarmWithUs | Secure your seats here.
