Sting snap out of slump with 4-3 Shootout Victory in Hamilton
Your Sarnia Sting were back at it again today for the second of a three game weekend; this time on the road in Hamilton to take on the Bulldogs at the First Ontario Centre. In the previous meeting between these two teams the Bulldogs came out ahead with a 4-3 victory, so the boys were hoping to even the score. The Sting are also looking to get out of a nine game slump heading into this one.
After a tough loss to Oshawa last night at The Hive; the Sting wouldn’t get off to a great start in this contest as Hamilton took an early lead just two minutes into the game off of a Tag Bertuzzi powerplay marker. Later on in the period after both teams settled into the game, Ty Voit would find Jacob Perreault with blazing speed and he would beat Zachary Roy on the breakaway for his 26th goal of the season to even the game up at one; which is where the game would sit as we head into the second frame.
Sarnia would start the second period in hopes of finding the lead as they generated some great chances but unfortunately it would be Bulldogs defenseman Gavin White finding the back of the net to put his team back in the lead. The Sting would not stay down for long as Ty Voit would beat Roy on a two-on-one with Jacob Perreault tying the game back up at two a piece. Since the promotion to the top six, Voit has made quite an impact offensively, especially in these last two games as this goal would give him five points in the last two nights.
Just as the second period was coming to a close, Sam Bitten stripped the Bulldogs of the puck and would find himself all alone and he would make no mistake as he nets a beauty to give Sarnia a 3-2 lead.
The third period started off with chances at both ends but both netminders would keep the doors shut. Sarnia would fend off the Bulldogs attack for most of the period, but Hamilton would even the game up with just under two minutes left to play in regulation. Minutes after his penalty expired; Jake Gravelle would find a rebound outfront and tie the game up at 3 with only two minutes remaining in regulation to make it a 3-3 game and send this into overtime. After not having an overtime game for almost half of the season, the Sting have had 5 of their last 10 games head into extra time.
In the extra frame, there were plenty of chances at both ends thanks to penalties from both teams, but Zachary Roy and birthday boy Ben Gaudreau were up to the task which meant for the first time this season; the Sting would be heading to the shootout to decide the winner of the game.
Tag Bertuzzi would shoot first for the Bulldogs but Gaudreau kept it out. Up first for the Sting was Jacob Perreault and he makes a quick deke and puts a shot under the blocker of Roy to put the Sting ahead. Arthur Kaliyev would shoot next for Hamilton but Gaudreau once again was up to the task, keeping the puck out of the net. Captain Ryan McGregor would come in with speed and would beat the Hamilton netminder; but not the post as the puck stayed out. Logan Morrison would need to score to keep his team alive, but Benjamin Gaudreau would not be beat as the Sarnia Sting take this one in the shootout with a score of 4 to 3. Ben Gaudreau gave himself and his team a birthday present of his own as he lead the way, stopping 41 of 44 shots.
First shootout of the season is a charm for @StingHockey ????@JPerreault_44 scored and @BenGaudreau03 provided some key saves, snapping a 9-game slide with a 4-3 road win. pic.twitter.com/7EcvXEtwOM
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) January 12, 2020
We finish out this three game weekend tomorrow across the border as we take on the Erie Otters. Our last game against the Otters saw the Sting take a huge 6-3 win. Our next home game is this coming Friday as we take on Erie once again as World Junior Champion Jamie Drysdale comes to town. Secure your seats to any upcoming Sarnia Sting home games by calling the Mainstreet Credit Union Sarnia Sting Box Office by calling 519-541-1717 or shop online here.
