State of the Sting

Overview

Through the first 32 games of the 2015-16 season, the Sarnia Sting have accumulated a total of 39 points while sporting a 18-11-2-1 record. 

At the near-half way mark of the season, the Sting are currently 5th in the Western Conference standings, having secured points in 3 straight games heading into the break. 

The team returns to the SSEC on Saturday, January 2nd when they take on the London Knights for the first time at home this season. 

West Division Standings

The club currently holds the #2 slot in the West Division standings, behind only the Windsor Spitfires. Although the Spits remain 6 points ahead with a 20-9-5-0 record, the Sting have played two less games than their counterparts. 

The two clubs, Sarnia and Windsor, have only played once so far this season with the Spits taking the first of six meetings by a score of 3-0. The two clubs are set to faceoff again on Monday, December 28th – the first game back from the holidays in Windsor.

Home Ice Advantage

Despite dropping their first game of the season to the Otters on home ice, the Sarnia Sting have been excellent thus far at the SSEC. In 16 home games, the Sting are 12-3-1-0 and have allowed a league-low 37 goals against on home-ice. 

The Sting special teams have been much better at home as well. They currently maintain the 5th best powerplay percentage (22.6%) and the 7th best penalty-killing percentage (82.9%) in the league on home ice.

Key Contributors

Pavel Zacha: Since returning from the New Jersey Devils, the 6th overall pick in last year’s draft has got off to a very solid start with the Sting. Zacha currently leads the team in goals (17) and points (30) in 23 games played. The former first overall pick in the CHL Import Draft has already surpassed his total of 16 goals last year. 

Jakob Chychrun: The 6’2, 214 lb. top prospect has been a horse on the back-end for the club, playing in all situations and chipping in offensively. In 30 games played, Chychrun has registered 23 points and maintains a plus-minus rating of +11. 

Justin Fazio: The 97-born Sarnia native has started in 28 of the club’s 32 games played this season. With a record of 16-10-1, Fazio is tied for 5th in wins, is 4th in GAA, and his 3 shutouts are good for 3rd in the OHL.

Matt Mistele: Since joining the Sting in early-December, Mistele has had an immediate impact on the hockey club. With 6 goals and 4 assists for a total of 10 points in his first 7 games for the Sting, Mistele is performing at a 1.43 Pt/G pace.