Windsor Eliminates Sarnia From Playoff Contention, Beating The Sting 6-3
By Carl Chimenti
A big crowd of 4,094 at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena and a strong effort from the Sarnia Sting (18-37-8-1) was not enough, as the Windsor Spitfires (41-15-6-2) ended any playoff hopes for the home team with a Friday night 6-3 win.
In the third period Sarnia closed to within one goal twice as Kaden Aucoin (2nd) scored unassisted to slice the lead to 3-2 and Mitch Young with a power-play goal, his fourth of the season, from Beckham Edwards and Jack Van Volsen kept the game at a one goal deficit 4-3.
In the end Windsor scored twice into an empty net from Liam Greentree (New York Rangers) unassisted, and Alex Pharand (Chicago Blackhawks) at 19:04 and 19:28 to ice the game away.
Greentree had a couple of goals and an assist and was named the first star. Van Volsen had a big night for the Sting with a goal and an assist, and was selected as the second star. The third star went to the Spitfires Wyatt Kennedy, who tallied once tonight.
Sarnia’s Sarvir Jaworski and Kalib Capecci contributed with one assist each. Sting goaltender Kale Osipenko did all he could with a very good performance in net as he stopped 23 of 27.
In all Windsor out-shot Sarnia 29-23. Spitfires goaltender Michael Newlove turned away 20 of 23 shots. In the face-off dot, the Sting were better 37-32.
Sarnia went one for two, and Windsor failed to score on two chances with the man-advantage.
The Sting drew first blood with an early goal at 2:46 of the opening period. A three way passing play that saw Capecci send a pass up to Jaworski, and he sent a cross ice feed to Van Volsen, who was parked at the side of the net and his one timer found the back of the net.
The Spitfires tied the game at 10:21 on a goal from Greentree, with Carson Woodall drawing the lone assist.
At 14:04, Windsor went ahead for the first time. Anthony Cristoforo scored with both teams playing four on four hockey. Cristoforo beat Osipenko on the far post, on his stick side.
Windsor appeared to score late in the period, but the Sting challenged the play for an offside, and after further review, the challenge was upheld and the goal was disallowed.
Sarnia in the final minute was called for two penalties, that put them two players down because of a phantom call on goaltender Newlove, who was not even touched. The Spitfires two man advantage would continue into the second period.
Sarnia out-shot Windsor 14-8.
The Spitfires dominated the second period territorially, as well as out-shooting the Sting 13-4. Only the goaltending of Osipenko kept the game close, as he allowed only one goal.
Osipenko made two excellent saves, the first one stopping Andrew Robinson with a nice pad save and minutes later came up with an even better stop, as he robbed Conor Walton with the top portion of his stick.
Windsor’s only goal came at 8:23, as the Spitfires scored a second goal in the game with both teams playing four on four. Wyatt Kennedy beat Osipenko over his shoulder. Makysh drew the lone assist.
Sarnia’s best chance came early, as the Sting killed off the first penalty of the five on three. Beamish then broke in alone, only to be stopped by Newlove.
