Van Volsen Scores Teddy Bear Goal And Shoot-Out Winner As Sarnia Beats Flint 3-2
Van Volsen Scores Teddy Bear Goal And Shoot-Out Winner As Sarnia Beats Flint 3-2
By Carl Chimenti
The Sarnia Sting (7-14-3-1) snapped a six game losing streak, and brought an end to an eleven game winning streak, as they beat the Flint Firebirds (19-6-1-1) 3-2 in a shoot-out on Teddy Bear Toss day, before the fourth largest crowd of the season – as 4,047 saw a thrilling victory – Sunday afternoon at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena. It was the first win for new Head Coach Mathieu Turcotte with the Sarnia Sting and his first victory in the Ontario Hockey League, in just his second game behind the bench. It was also, according to Your TV and Sarnia TV play by play announcer Terry Doyle, the first Sting win on Teddy Bear toss day since the 2017-18 season.
Jack Van Volsen scored the Teddy Bear goal that sent the stuffed animals flying from all sections of the hive and onto the ice in a wild celebration that is seen but once a year during the Christmas season in each of the OHL rinks. The goal came 52 seconds into the final period, and Doyle captured the moment as the bears hit the ice with an exclusive interview, asking Van Volsen, what he saw on the goal? “I jumped onto the ice and into the zone as quickly as possible, said Van Volsen, who scored his eighth of the year. “I just let go the shot and it went in from the high slot.” Jimmy Lombardi (Los Angeles Kings) and Ryland Cunningham put the Firebirds in front with back to back goals at 2:44 and 7:56 respectively. Sarnia was not to be denied, as Beckham Edwards came back with the equalizer late in the contest at 16:52 unassisted, to send the game to overtime, followed by the shoot-out. Alessandro Di lorio assisted on the teddy bear goal. The shoot-out saw Di lorio score, before Van Volsen beat Flint goaltender Mason Courville on Sarnia’s second shot. Sting goaltender Patrick Quinlan who was sensational in net, stopping Alex Kostov that brought the team onto the ice to celebrate the win. In total Quinlan stopped 25 of 27 shots, including his best save of the game in the third period, robbing Lombardi with a dazzling glove save as he earned the second star. Van Volsen was the first star with a goal and the shoot-out winner.
Flint forward Nathan Aspinall (New York Rangers) was the third star with one assist. The Firebirds out-shot the Sting 27-22, but Sarnia was better on the draw 29-23. Both teams went 0/2 with the man-advantage. Courville turned away 19 of 21 shots that he faced. The first period featured a good pace with Sarnia having the better of the scoring chances. The Sting also had territorial edge, but the teddy bear goal would have to wait another period. Easton Walos had a number of scoring chances. Late in the period, Sarnia was given a power-play opportunity and Fischer came close, but his shot was stopped by Courville, who made a nice glove save on a shot that appeared to be going wide. Ben Pickell also had a good chance with Courville making the save, the puck dropped down in front, and laid on the blue paint, but the Firebirds were able to clear the puck away from danger. Not many shots on net as both teams combined for eight shots, six for the Sting and two for the Firebirds. For the second straight period the game remained scoreless as Flint out-shot Sarnia 12-6. The Sting came close to scoring past the mid-way point, as Fischer let go a shot that clanged off the goal post.
