Sting Down Whalers In Shootout
Plymouth, MI – Although it is still the pre season Sting fans were witness to a team that played with a lot of heart over this past weekend.
Minus several regulars away at NHL camps and sidelined due to injury the Sting put together two solid performances and were rewarded for their efforts Saturday afternoon in Plymouth.
With just 13 skaters the Sting were led by 2 goals from veteran Rich Clune and a single from Mark Lytywyn as the score would be deadlocked 3-3 following regulation time.
One of the new rules for the 05-06 playing season is that at the conclusion of 60 minutes followed by a 5 minute overtime period if the score remains tied then a 3 player per side shootout will determine the winner.
Throughout pre season play a shoot out follows regulation regardless of the score in order for everyone players, officials and fans to grow accustomed to the new rule.
Saturday afternoon was the Sting’s first taste of a meaningful shootout. If Saturday’s shootout was any indication then fans have a lot of drama to look forward to this season with the process.
Mike Haley scored for the Sting within the first three shooters as the Whalers also scored sending the shootout into sudden death.
Adding to the drama were goaltenders Mike Iafrate and Ryan Nie obviously fired up due to the situation looking to get at each other following the third shooters. Both players would be ejected forcing each teams backup goaltender into the shootout cold.
Sting goalie Parker VanBuskirk would come through making two saves while Harrison Reed would send the visitors home happy firing a shot just under the cross bar good for a 4-3 win.
