Heartbreak At The Aud
Kitchener – The Sarnia Sting went into Sunday’s game at the Aud in Kitchener in a hole trailing their best of seven series with the Rangers 2-0 and would leave with their backs firmly up against the wall as they now trail 3-0 after losing a heartbreaking game 3-2.
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the series to this point for the Sting is that they have been in every game thus far and deserve a better fate then the 3-0 deficit they face.
On Sunday night once again the effort was there and they would receive strong goaltending from Parker Van Buskirk who was outstanding in this one making 40 saves in being tagged with the loss.
The game would open with an evenly played opening 20 minutes and appropriately the game would remain tied through a scoreless first period.
In the second the Sting would have their only real let down of the game when they would allow the Rangers to score twice in less then a minute on goals by Kevin Henderson and Brian Soso to give the home side a 2-0 lead.
The Sting would continue to work and battle and their hard work would pay off when rookie Steven Stamkos found the back of the net past Rangers netminder John Murray giving the Sting some life heading into the third.
In the third the Sting after killing off an early penalty seemed to have control of the period peppering Murray with shots in an effort to get the equalizer and would eventually do so when Stamkos would score his second of the game with just under four minutes to play.
The Sting appeared to have all the momentum and the game was destined for overtime but to the Rangers credit they did not get down following the game tying goal and would mount some pressure of their own before a Matt Pepe would beat Van Buskirk on a shot that hit something and was redirected on its way into the net for the game winning goal.
The series will now return to the SSEC on Tuesday night for game four as the Sting look to battle in an effort to return the series to Kitchener for game five.
Tickets remain for Sunday’s game and can be purchased at the SSEC box office or by calling 541-1717.
Photo Courtesy www.metcalfephotography.com
