Bowman Scores Power-Play Goal In Overtime As Guelph Nips Sarnia 3-2
By Carl Chimenti
Braeden Bowman scored a power-play goal 2:25 into overtime and the Guelph Storm came away with a 3-2 win over the Sarnia Sting, Sunday afternoon, at the Sleeman Centre.
The goal was part of a two-point game for Bowman and he was named as the first star. The two teams entered the third period deadlocked at 2-2 and remained that way after a scoreless third period, despite the fact that Guelph appeared to score a pair of goals, both of which went under-review and were disallowed, after it was ruled that the scoring plays were off-sides. Sarnia was busy killing off two penalties, which hindered their offense as they could only muster three shots on goal in that final period.
Marko Sikic (10th) scored once against his former team and was selected as the third star. Ryan Brown netted his 8th of the year, while Zach Filak, Easton Wainwright and Hughston Hurt added single helpers. Jake Karabela (Washington Capitals), who was the second star for the Storm, had a goal and an assist. Thomas Budnick scored once and Jett Luchanko added two assists for Guelph. Karsen Chartier started in net for the Sting and stopped 23 of 26 shots. Guelph’s Damian Slavik turned away 17 of 19 shots. Guelph out-shot Sarnia 26-19. The Storm went 2/5 on the power-play and were not penalized in the contest.
Sarnia welcomed back Head Coach Alan Letang, from the World Junior Championships.
Newly acquired forward Carter Kostuch and defenseman Alex Cajkovic, from the North Bay Battalion, played their first game for Sarnia. Kostuch, who wore jersey number 18 had two shots on goal and Cajkovic, was fitted with number 26, almost won the game in overtime as he went in alone on a break-away but was denied. He was a +1 in his debut.
The Sting got off to a fast start in the opening period as Sikic scored his 10th of the season at 5:05. Hurt hit Filak with an open ice pass and Filak found Sikic and he went in on goal and scored. Guelph scored a couple of late goals to go into the first intermission with a 2-1 lead. Karabela tied the game at 14:50 with a power-play goal from Bowman and Luchanko. The Storm went ahead for the first time at 17:49 with an even strength marker from Budnick. Former Sting Max Namestnikov and Karabela assisted on the goal. Sarnia out-shot Guelph 7-4.
The Sting tied the game 2-2 scoring the only goal in the second period early at 2:51. Wainwright carried the puck in and in the process proceeded to lose it, but Brown picked up the loose puck and scored a goal scorers goal, beating goaltender Slavik from his backhand, putting the puck past him through the five hole. The Sting came close to going back in front at the mid-way point as the puck trickled past Slavik and was rolling towards the goal line but Brayden Hislop was able to clear the puck away just in time. Guelph best chance came late in the period as Karabela moved in, but Chartier was able to make a terrific save and then he cleared the puck away to keep the game tied. Both teams ended with seven shots on goal.