Sarnia Scores Three In Third, Beating Erie 4-1
By Carl Chimenti
The Sarnia Sting (18-20-3-6) extended their season high unbeaten streak to six games, scoring three times in the final period to beat the Erie Otters (23-19-3-1) for the second time in three games this season – 4-1, in front of 3,867, Saturday night at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena. It was Sarnia Sting Hall of Fame night, with Patrick DesRochers, Jeff Heerema and Dr. John Vargo, inducted as the 2025 class. They were honored with a couple of nice ceremonies before game time.
The Sting came out and played an excellent game holding off the high powered Erie offense to just a single goal which came in the third period. It was in the final frame that Sarnia broke open a close game. Easton Wainwright broke down the right side and beat goaltender Noah Erliden early at the 1:30 mark with Lukas Fischer (St. Louis Blues) and Beckham Edwards, in what turned out to be the eventual game winner. Fischer and Wainwright had a goal and an assist each, with Fischer being named as the first star for the second game in a row and Wainwright the third star in tonight’s action.
Carey Terrance (Anaheim Ducks) sliced the lead in half at 12:57 but the Sting wrapped up the victory with two late goals. Alessandro Di lorio scored into an empty net, set up by Tyson Doucette at 19:04 and Matthew Manza scored a power-play goal thanks to a face-off win by Zach Filak at 19:50. Sarnia also was assessed a penalty shot just after scoring their second goal to James Barr, but Erliden made a right pad save. Evan Maillet followed last night’s outstanding effort from Nick Surzycia with one of his own, as he turned away all but one of the 22 shots he faced. His best period came in the second as he stopped all ten shots, including three from the high danger zone.
Erliden was the second star for Erie, as he was the busier of the two goalies with 31 saves on 34 shots.
Sarnia will wrap up their three, in three weekend, on Hockey Day in the OHL on Sunday afternoon, with puck drop at 4pm.
The Sting out-shot the Otters 35-22 and were the better team in the face-off dot 36-27. On the power-play Sarnia held Erie scoreless in two chances, while going 2/5 with the man-advantage. Erliden was the story in the first period as he was tested often, stopping all 12 Sarnia shots, many in the high danger zone area. The Sting out-shot the Otters 12-4 and were the better team to start. Both teams went 0/2 on the power-play. Both goaltenders were good in the second period. Sarnia was able to break the scoreless tie with a late goal on the power-play at 16:54. Wainwright won the draw back to Fischer and he let go a hard wrist shot from the point that beat Erliden. Wainwright was credited with the lone assist. Maillet made a number of excellent saves stopping all 10 shots from Erie, as they were better by a slim margin on the shot clock 10-8.