OHL Sarnia Sting

Solid Effort Gives Sting Big Win

Published on January 26, 2014 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Sarnia Sting News Release


PLYMOUTH, Michigan - After playing one of their worst games of the season Friday night, the Sarnia Sting bounced back to play one of their best games of the year Saturday night.

And it couldn't have come at a more appropriate time.

The Sting posted a solid 6-2 victory over the Plymouth Whalers in front of a stunned crowd of 2,210 at the Compuware Sports Arena.

The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Sting, but more importantly moved Sarnia to within four points of the Whalers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League.

Each team has 21 games remaining.

After a scoreless opening period, Sarnia took control and held a 3-1 advantage after 40 minutes. The Sting led 5-1 by the eight-minute of the third period.

The win marked the fourth time in five tries Sarnia has defeated Plymouth this season. They meet one more time, Feb. 21st at the RBC Centre.

Sting head coach Trevor Letowski was pleased with the way his team bounced back after their loss in London.

"We played a very disciplined and sound hockey game. We didn't allow any odd-man rushes and we didn't have many turnovers. We managed the puck well with nice, short passes. They responded very well after the game in London and the coaching staff is excited to see that."

He added, "We've still got a long way to go, but it was gut check time for our team. It was very important to get two points tonight and stay close to Plymouth."

Letowski liked what he saw from several of his players.

"I thought Kodola had one of his best games. He helped his line be a dangerous one tonight. When that happens, it gives us two solid lines. Nick Latta was solid and he battled throughout the game after getting hit in the hand early.

"Our defence overall was solid, but Anthony DeAngelo and Josh Chapman carried the load. They played a lot tonight. Taylor Dupuis had a solid effort as well. It was a good effort overall by everyone."

The Sting had top scorer Nikolay Goldobin back in the lineup after missing one game with a suspension. But they were still missing four regulars due to injury and suspension.

Sarnia dressed 18 players, two under the limit of 20. Nathan Mater did not dress after playing Friday night in London and scoring the team's only goal in the loss to the Knights.

Despite a scoreless first period, Sarnia held a 13-11 edge in shots on goal and had the better scoring chances.

The Sting took advantage of a double minor high sticking penalty to a Whalers defender to jump out to a 2-0 lead midway through period two.

Vladislav Kodola gave the Sting a 1-0 lead at 10:26 when he tipped home a point shot from Kevin Spinozzi. Jeff King also assisted on Kodola's fourth goal of the year.

Nick Latta increased the lead to 2-0 on the back half of the power play at 11:42 when he deflected home a shot from Anthony DeAngelo. It was Latta's 28thgoal of the year. Jimmy McDowell also drew an assist.

Plymouth cut the lead in half at 12:50 on a gift goal. Sting netminder Taylor Dupuis lost the puck behind his net allowing Carter Sandlak of the Whalers to score into an open net.

But the Sting regained their two-goal margin with 50 seconds left in the period. Nikita Korostelev showed off his fine wrist shot as he drilled home a low shot from the right wing. Goldobin and Josh Chapman assisted on Korostelev's 13th goal of the season.

The Sting went ahead 4-1 at 1:39 of period three. McDowell skated in over the Whalers blue line and drilled a hard slapshot into the top corner on the glove side. Spinozzi notched his second assist of the game.

The goal chased Whalers netminder Alex Nedeljkovic in favour of Zac Bowman. Nedeljkovic allowed four goals on 31 assists.

Sarnia took a 5-1 lead at 7:45 when Jeff King's wrist shot hit a Whalers defenceman and fluttered over the shoulder of the goalie. McDowell and Davis Brown assisted.

Gianiuca Curcuruto scored for Plymouth at the 11-minute mark to trim the lead to 5-2. Plymouth then pulled their goalie with five minutes left, but it would backfire.

Davis Brown of the Sting scored into an open net with just over two minutes remaining for his ninth of the year. Kodola picked up his second assist to finish with a goal and two assists.

Sting captain Nick Latta said the win was a big one.

"Our work ethic was good and we played a solid team game. Defensively we were good and we also scored some timely goals. Hopefully we can string a few wins together."

Plymouth finished with a 41-40 edge in shots on goal only because they had 19 in the third period.

Sarnia was two-for-six on the power play while Plymouth had just one power play and did not score.

The Sting concludes another busy weekend when they host the Windsor Spitfires on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. at the RBC Centre. Children 12 and under will be admitted for just $5.

Tickets for the game and all remaining home games for the Sting are on sale daily at the RBC Box Office, by calling 519-541-1717 or going online at Sarniasting.com

STING NOTES

-         For one of the few times in the history of the Sting franchise, all three stars were from Sarnia. McDowell took first star honours with Kodola second star and King third star.

-         Brenden Trottier played his second straight game for the Sting.

-         Sarnia improved to 15-27-1-4 overall and 7-16-1-1 on the road.

 

 

 

Dave Borody is a freelance writer who covers Sting games both home and away and also does features for the Sting Website.

Check out the Sarnia Sting Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 26, 2014


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