Sarnia’s first trip to Overtime ends in Heartbreak in Saginaw
The Sarnia Sting made the trip across the American border as they head down to Saginaw for a date with a West Division Rival in the Spirit. This would be Sarnia’s second last game before the holiday break, and the boys would look to put some important points up on the board against their division rival.
From the drop of the puck it was clear that the Sting came to play. The Sarnia offence was generating great chances early in the game before Theo Hill would take an unfortunate cross-checking penalty in the offensive zone. On the penalty kill however; the Sting had more shots on goal than the Spirit did which goes to show just how dangerous the special teams unit is. Ryan McGregor would block a point shot and found himself on a clean shorthanded breakaway but he was denied by Marshall Frappier. On the defensive side of the ice, Ethan Langevin was shutting the door as the Spirit responded with chances of their own. Neither team would be able to find the back of the net in the first, as we would head into the middle frame in a scoreless tie.
The 2nd period saw the play completely open up as it was endless back and forth action from both sides. Both Langevin and Frappier stood tall before we finally found some goals in this highly competitive contest.
Unfortunately it was Saginaw opening the scoring with a goal from Danny Katic off a feed from Cole Perfetti. Just over a minute after, the Spirit would extend their lead to 2-0 off a goal from Dalton Duhart. The scoring wouldn’t stop there, as the Sting are quick to answer back as captain Ryan McGregor blasted a one-timer into the back of the Saginaw net. Anthony Tabak found McGregor all alone on the right side of the ice and Cap made no mistake to cut the Spirit lead in half.
As we enter the 3rd period the Sting were hoping to start off strong and even the game up, but the Spirit had other plans in mind. They would make it a 3-1 game precisely a minute into the period thanks to Jake Goldowski. The Sting would get back into it around the midway point of the period with a seeing eye shot from Eric Hjorth.
Sarnia would take the momentum from the Hjorth goal and take advantage just a few minutes later with a goal from the returning Brayden Guy off a beautiful pass from Ryan McGregor on a 2 on 1 break. Guy’s goal would tie the game up at 3 but the Sting weren’t satisfied with staying tied for too long. Rookie defender Ryan Mast scored his first career OHL goal just a minute and ten seconds after Guy tied the game up with a short side snipe from the top of the right circle to give his squad the 4-3 lead.
The goals seemed to be scored in bunches in this contest, but this one was just unlucky. Not even a minute after Mast scored his 1st career OHL goal; Mason Millman got the game back to even after his point shot hit the glass and off the back of Langevin and into the net. The tying goal meant that the Sting would be heading to their very first overtime game of the season.
In the extra frame both sides definitely had their chances, with the best chance coming from Ryan McGregor who rang a shot off the post. Under a minute left in the overtime period Damien Giroux would end the game on a 2 on 1 with Cole Perfetti who gave Giroux a cross crease pass to seal the deal.
With the loss the Sting still get a point, but the second point would have been huge as the boys are fighting to get into a playoff spot in the tight Western Conference. Sarnia will have to move on quickly as they head into their last game before the Christmas break tomorrow night on home ice at The Hive against the visiting Windsor Spitfires. 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.
