Majors Put the Sting on Sarnia, Win 9-3

September 26, 2009 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors News Release


Sarnia, ON - The Mississauga St. Michael's Majors certainly returned to their winning form this evening as they took on the Sarnia Sting on the road. The building was abuzz with action. A strong second period for the Majors and then a hard-fought third period of play eventually led to a whopping 9-3 defeat of the Sting.

And, it's official. Majors defenceman and 2008 second-round draft pick of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, Cameron Gaunce, will continue to wear the "C" on his jersey since he's been named Captain of the Majors at the start of the regular season.

The 6'1", 203 lbs. native of Sudbury, Ontario and two-time recipient of the Majors Tim Hortons Defenceman of the Year Award finished off his 2008-09 campaign with 64 points in 67 games played, surpassing Majors modern franchise era records for Most Goals (17), Most Points (64) and Most Game-Winning Goals (5) collected by a defenceman. He signed with Colorado this summer in May.

As a result of the victory tonight the Majors record lands at 2-1-0-0 on the year.

The home squad went ahead 2-0 in the 1st period when Ben O'Quinn (unassisted) and former Major Kale Kerbashian each tallied a power-play goal at 2:13 and then at 3:37 respectively to open up the frame. Joe Rogalski and Steve Reese got the assists. But Corey Bureau (unassisted) and Devanté Smith-Pelly quickly tied things up for Mississauga, each scoring a goal at 5:57 and at 19:18 (on a man-advantage), as the game headed into intermission. The helpers were Casey Cizikas and William Wallén.

Sarnia grabbed a 3-2 lead to start things off in the 2nd period with a tally coming from Brent Sullivan 3:33 on the power-play. Again, the assists went to Rogalski and Reese. However, the Majors exploded with four goals to end the frame at 6-3. First, Wallén put the visitors back on the board at 6:49 (power-play) off of passes from Gaunce and Cizikas. Blake Parlett and Joseph Cramarossa kept those tallies coming for Mississauga, each potting a goal at 12:10 and then at 16:44 (shorthanded). Riley Brace (2 assists) and Gaunce provided the feeds. Jordan Mayer's goal coming at 17:17 for the Majors ended the frame.

Then, Cizikas earned his third point of the night - this time, a goal - coming at 11:03 in the 3rd period to put the visiting team up, 7-3. The lone assist had gone to Josh McFadden. Mississauga really battled right to the end, as Brendan McCann (unassisted) and Wallén produced a tally at 18:48 and then at 19:34 to wrap things up for good, 9-3. Cramarossa got the sole assist.

JP Anderson was in net for the Majors and turned aside 20 shots while Shayne Campbell and Jesse Raymond combined for 25 blocked shots for the Sting. Mississauga went 2 for 5 on the power-play while Sarnia finished 3 for 7 on the night. The three stars of tonight's game were Cizikas (1st), Wallén (2nd) and Gaunce (3rd).

Majors are back on the road for one more game this Thursday night in Niagara against the IceDogs at 7:30 p.m. Home opener takes place this Friday evening against the Brampton Battalion at 7:30 p.m. A complete list of the Majors 2009-10 regular season schedule is available at the Majors website (www.stmichaelsmajors.com).

For information on Majors individual and season tickets for 2009-10, group and flex packages and private suites, visit the Majors website or call the Majors ticket line at 905-502-7788 and follow the prompts.



Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 26, 2009


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