Sarnia Drops Nail-Biter To The Greyhounds 3-2
By Carl Chimenti
The Sarnia Sting got stronger as the game went on, but in the end, they fell a goal short, losing to the Soo Greyhounds 3-2, on the road, Sunday afternoon, at the GFL Memorial Gardens.
The Sting started out slow in the opening period, were much better in the middle frame and picked up steam in the third period, tying the game early at 2-2 and dominating the shot clock 13-8. Sarnia had a couple of close calls near the end, but puck luck was just not on their side today.
The Soo managed to break the deadlock at 7:53, as Bryce McConnell-Barker (New York Rangers), scored what proved to be the winning goal. The Greyhounds captain added an assist as part of a two-point game and was selected as the first star of the game. The Soo appeared to score an insurance goal moments later but Sarnia challenged the call for an off-side and after a rather lengthy review the goal was disallowed. Nick Surzycia, who was outstanding in the game for the Sting with 31 saves on 34 shots, was voted as the second star. Carter Kostuch and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native Tyson Doucette with his team leading 16th goal scored for the Sting.
With the goal, Doucette extended his point streak to three games (2-1-3). Kostuch, who scored his 5th of the year, ran his point streak to four games (2-2-4). Lukas Fischer had a hand in both Sting goals with two assists. Kai Schwindt (Florida Panthers) point streak went to four games, with one assist (3-3-6) and Marko Sikic also added one assist, to his team leading 42 points. Soo defenseman Andrew Gibson (Detroit Red Wings), scored once and was the third star. Jack Beck (Calgary Flames), also scored once for the Greyhounds. Overall the Soo out-shot Sarnia 34-24 as goaltender Charlie Schenkel came up with 24 saves.
The Sting went 1/3, while the Greyhounds failed to score in two chances with the man-advantage. This was the third meeting of six games between the two clubs, with Sarnia winning once in three games. Surzycia was the difference in the opening period as he turned away all but one of the Soo’s 13 shots on goal. The Sting also blocked quite a few shot attempts in front of Surzyciz and the goal post was also a key, as the Greyhounds hit the post twice. The Soo had the only power-play but the Sarnia penalty kill unit shut that down as well. The only goal came early at 3:32 from Beck, with assists going to Owen Allard. The Sting managed just three shots on net.
Offensively, the second period was better for the Sting as they tied the game with an early goal. A Soo turnover presented Sarnia with a three on two rush and Doucette cashed in, letting go a wrist shot that lit the lamp at 3:12. Fischer and Schwindt assisted on the goal. Less than four minutes later the Greyhounds went back ahead 2-1 as Gibson scored a four-on-four goal at 6:34 from both Marco Mignosa and McConnell-Barker. The Soo out-shot Sarnia 13-8 and once again Surzycia was solid, allowing just one goal. Both teams failed to score on their only man-advantage.
