OHL Sarnia Sting

A Stormy End to the Regular Season

March 22, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Sarnia Sting News Release


With a lot still to be decided on the final day of the OHL regular season, the Sarnia Sting dropped a 6-2 decision to the Guelph Storm. Guelph, still battling for home ice advantage, entered this afternoons contest at the Sleeman's Centre in need of a point. In front of 4,935 fans the Storm came out fast and hard, scoring 32 seconds into the game, and never looked back.

This goal would be the first of 3 for Robby Fabbri on the night (assist to Tyler Bertuzzi) as the World Junior Gold medalist added to an already stellar campaign. Fabbri continued to attack taking a stretch pass that lead to a partial break, before being hauled down by Alex Black. Black would be called for a 2 minute tripping minor. Just as the Power Play expired, Jason Dickinson would add to the first period lead by deflecting home a Noah Carroll point shot making it 2-0. Just over a minute later, Hayden Hodgson would answer scoring his 23rd of season, finishing off a beautiful pass from Troy Lajeunesse. As the first stanza came to a close, Guelph continued to pressure the Sting and eventually broke Fazio as Pius Suter tallied his 42nd goal of the year on a wrist shot with just 1:41 left. The Sting would trail 4-1 after the 1st period.

The Sting would come out of the locker room flat and frustration would begin to mount as Franco Sproviero was given a 5 Minute Major and Match Penalty for Slew Footing just over 3 minutes into the 2nd period. Guelph would capitalize once on the major with Suter striking again, this time setting up Givani Smith. The Sting would regain some momentum late in the second period, as Jordan Kyrou would drive down the centre of the ice, taking on two Guelph defenders, and beating both but Justin Nichols would poke the puck off his stick as he approached the mouth of the goal. The score would remain 4-1 after the 2nd period.

After a Troy Lajeunesse delay of game penalty at the21 second mark of the 2nd period, the Sting would begin the third short handed. Robby Fabbri would extend the Storm's lead to 5-1, just 0:46 into the period. Immediately after the Fabbri goal, Guelph would pull veteran Goaltender Justin Nichols in favor of Bradley Van Schubert, feeling they had home ice advantage within reach. Van Schubert would be tested early by Kyrou and Lajeunesse, but would hold his ground. After a few minutes of sustained pressure, former Strathroy Rocket, Davis Brown would take an outlet pass from Kevin Spinozzi, walk over the blueline and beat Van Schubert high for his 20th of the campaign. Although the Sting would maintain constant pressure throughout the third period, they would be unable to close the gap on the scoreboard. Eventually, Fabbri would extend the Guelph lead, and complete the Hat Trick, with 3:24 remaining in the game, bringing the score to 6-2.

Sarnia will begin opening round action of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs on Thursday and Friday night in Erie against Connor McDavid and the Otters. The Sting will return home and host Erie on Sunday March 29th and Tuesday March 31st. Tickets are available for purchase through the RBC Centre box office in person or by phone at 519-541-1717.

Sting Notes

-Guelph native and Sting Assistant Captain, Stephen Pierog, his final OHL regular season game in his hometown

-Pierog, was also named the Games 3rd star

-Not in the Lineup for the Sting Jakob Chychrun, Noah Bushnell, Brandon Lindberg, Pavel Zacha, Matteo Ciccarelli, Connor Schlichting, Nikita Korostelev, Jeff King, and Shayne Battler

-Jake O'Donnell was in the lineup for the Sting after finishing his GOJHL season with the Sarnia Legionnaires last evening

Check out the Sarnia Sting Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2015


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