Kashawn Aitcheson Scores Overtime Winner as Barrie Edges Sarnia 3-2
Written by Carl Chimenti
Kashawn Aitcheson (New York Islanders) scored 20 seconds into overtime and the Barrie Colts completed their comeback, beating the Sarnia Sting 3-2, Thursday night at the Sadlon Arena. Aitcheson finished off a three way passing play that included Cole Beaudoin (Utah Mammoth) and Emil Hemming (Dallas Stars), as the Colts erased a two goal deficit to post the win. For his effort Aitcheson was selected as the second star. Alex Assadourian and Joe Salandra scored single goals for Barrie. Salandra also added an assist and was the first star. Hemming had two helpers. Colts goaltender Arvin Jaswal was named the third star after finishing with 33 saves on 35 shots. Barrie came into the third period trailing 2-1 and seemed to tie the game early, but the play went under review and was disallowed because there was no clear view if the puck had crossed the goal line.
Charlie Larocque making his first start and second appearance in a Sting uniform turned in an exceptional performance with 33 saves on 36 shots. Beckham Edwards with his team leading seventh goal and Cameron Aucoin with his fourth, scored for Sarnia, with both goals coming in the second period. Ryan Brown, Jordan Bax, Easton Walos and James Barr had one assist each. Barrie out-shot Sarnia 36-35. On the power-play the Sting went 1/3 and the Colts 0/3. Sarnia will wrap up the road trip with a Sunday matinee (puck drop at 2:07pm), against the Guelph Storm, at the Sleeman Centre. It was a very evenly played opening period as both teams had 12 shots on goal and numerous scoring chances. Larocque made a couple of outstanding saves. Colt forward Bode Stewart was denied on a break-away, and later on Larocque came up big as William Schneid tried to beat him between the five hole, with Larocque closing the pads. Sarnia had a good opportunity in the final seconds as Brown’s wrap around attempt went wide.
It was a penalty free first period, although Sarnia would start the second period on the power-play, after Barrie was assessed a minor at the end of the first period. Sarnia started the middle frame with the man advantage and it took them just 25 seconds to score the opening goal of the game. Edwards in front, had three chances to score, and on the third try, he jammed the puck past the goal line. Bax and Brown provided the assists. The second Sarnia goal came at 13:10, as Walos sent a cross ice pass from the half boards to Cameron Aucoin and he beat goaltender Jaswal on the stick side. Barr was credited with the second assist. It took Barrie 42 seconds to reply. Hemming dropped a pass to Salandra, and then ran into a pair of Sarnia players, allowing Salandra to walk in alone and score the first Colt goal at 13:52. During the period Sarnia was forced to kill off a two man advantage and the PK unit did an excellent job, allowing Barrie only two shots on net. Bax was awarded a penalty shot later in the period after he was disrupted on a possible break-away. Bax tried to score on the far side, but Jaswal made a stick save and the Sting went into the second intermission holding on to a 2-1 lead. Sarnia out-shot Barrie 12-11.
