Sarnia’s Come Back Bid Falls Short as Owen Sound Prevails 5-3
By Carl Chimenti
The Sarnia Sting (11-22-4-1) scored twice in the third period, but that was as close as they would come, and the Owen Sound Attack (18-16-1-3) came away with a 5-3 win, in front of another large holiday crowd of 3,928, Friday night, at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena. Sarnia, despite playing four games in their last six nights, showed no quit, as they completely dominated the third period, scoring the only two goals and out-shooting Owen Sound 20-2.
Continued early pressure in the final period led to the first Sting goal, as Liam Beamish scored his 8th of the season, after a Jacob Reese shot came off the back boards at 3:28. Reese and Cameron Aucoin assisted on the goal. The Sting struck again at 13:30 as Reese, who had a goal and an assist, scored his second of the year, from Hughston Hurt, to slice the deficit to 5-3. Reese was named the third star.
Sarnia kept the pressure on but Owen Sound goaltender Matthew Koprowski continued to turn shots away (43 saves on 46 shots) and the Attack held on the rest of the way. Koprowski, was selected as the second star. Easton Walos netted the first goal of the game for the Sting. Mitch Young, Beckham Edwards, Cameron Aucoin and Hurt contributed, with one helper each. Sting goaltender Patrick Quinlan stopped 15 of 20 shots.
Pierce Mbuyi, scored twice for the Attack and was the first star. Elliot Arnett had a pair of assists in the win. Sarnia had all the numbers, except for the scoreboard, as they out-shot Owen Sound 46-20 overall, and were better in the face-off circle 32-21. On the power-play the Sting went 0/5 and the Attack 0/4.
A chippy first period saw lots of extras, following stoppage of action, with five minors assessed. There were three goals all even strength. Mbuyi opened the scoring at 9:25 from Arnett and Tristan Delisle. Sarnia came right back with the equalizer, as Young set up Walos in front and Walos made it count tying the game at 10:51. Edwards received the second helper.
Less than two minutes later Jake Crawford came up with a turn over, and he came down to score unassisted at 12:10. Sarnia out-shot Owen Sound 15-7.
The second period shots were even with 11 apiece, but the Attack hit pay dirt three times to open up a 5-1 lead after forty minutes. Delisle scored shorthanded at 5:18, from David Bedkowski (Buffalo Sabres). Caden Taylor added the second goal at 11:40, even strength from Nicholas Sykora. Mbuyi netted his second of the game at 17:51, from Cole Zurawski and Arnett.
