Sarnia Completes Perfect Weekend Beating Guelph 6-4
By Carl Chimenti
The Sarnia Sting (10-17-3-1) extended their winning streak to a season high of three games, as they completed a perfect weekend beating the Guelph Storm (15-14-2-1) 6-4 Sunday afternoon in front of 3,303, at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena. The Sting scored a season high of four goals in the opening period and while the Storm made it close for a bit, Sarnia was not going to be denied, despite looking a little tired in the third period. The Sting weekend sweep included beating the Storm twice, sandwiched in between a win over the Flint Firebirds.
Sting forward Liam Beamish (7th), scored twice including what proved to be the winning goal at 8:14 of the third period and was selected as the first star. The two goals extended his point streak to four games (2-3-5). Captain Alessandro Di lorio had a three point game, that included goals number 4 and 5 on the season, and he was named the third star. Jack Van Volsen had a goal (9th) and an assist.
Ben Pickell and Jacob Reese had a pair of helpers each. Hunter Solomon scored his first goal (2) as a Sting, since being acquired from the Soo last week via the trade. Kaden Aucoin had an assist, his first OHL career point. Matthew Manza and Mitch Young contributed one assist each.
Sting goaltender Patrick Quinlan stopped 30 of 34, which included 18 of 20 in the final period. Guelph’s Jaakko Wycisk was named the second star with two assists. Charlie Paquette (Dallas Stars) had a goal and an assist and Wil McFadden added two helpers for the Storm. Goaltender Zachary Jovanovski turned away 23 of 28 shots. Guelph out-shot Sarnia 34-29. On the power-play Guelph went 3/5 and Sarnia finished 0/6.
A terrific first period for the Sting as they lit the lamp four times to take a 4-2 lead into the first intermission. The scoring parade got started at 4:16 with an even strength goal from Di lorio with assists credited to Van Volsen and Manza. Less than a minute later Solomon made it 2-0 at 5:03 from Young and Pickell. Van Volsen scored the third goal at 7:24. Di lorio and Kaden Aucoin drew the assists.
Ethan Miedema put the Storm on the board at 8:18 with a power-play goal from Paquette and McFadden. Sarnia recaptured their three goal lead on a shorthanded goal from Beamish, with Pickell drawing the lone assist at 15:07. Carter Stevens scored late at 18:22 to slice the deficit to 4-2 from Wycisk and Hunter McKenzie.
In the final minute Guelph was given a double minor and even though Sarnia did not score in the short time left, the penalty would carry over into the middle frame. The Sting out-shot the Storm 16-9.
After a six goal first period neither team could score in the second period. Sarnia did score an apparent goal with one second remaining on the 5 on 3. Prior to the goal a hand pass took place, but play continued. When the goal was scored Guelph wasted no time to challenge the scoring play. After a review, the challenge stood and the goal was disallowed.
Jorden Bax and Grant Spada (Tampa Bay Lightning) exchanged Christmas wishes as they fought near the end of the period. Neither landed a blow and the fight did not last long. Sarnia out-shot Guelph 8-5.
