OHL Sarnia Sting

Sting Cant Stop Streaking Storm

January 31, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Sarnia Sting News Release


GUELPH - The Sarnia Sting knew they would be in tough against one of the top-ranked teams in the Guelph Storm on Friday night.

The Sting gave a courageous effort before bowing to the powerful Storm 6-1 in front of 4,192 fans at the Sleeman Centre.

Guelph has now won nine straight.

The loss was the second in as many nights for the Sting in the Ontario Hockey League as they continue to chase the Plymouth Whalers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Sarnia remains three points back of the Whalers as they lost 3-2 to Kingston.

The Sting started the game with just 17 players, 10 forwards, five defencemen and two goalies. Defenceman Connor Schlichting is the latest Sting player sent to the sidelines as he was handed a three-game suspension for his cross-checking major against Belleville on Thursday.

Forward Hayden Hodgson was serving the ninth of a 10 game suspension while Patrick White, Alex Renaud and Zachary Core remain out with injuries. Brenden Trottier was called up from Lambton Shores Predators as the 10th forward.

Sarnia played with only four defencemen in the second and third periods as Anthony DeAngelo did not have a shift in the second period and was not on the bench in the third period.

Sting head coach Trevor Letowski said he was happy with his team's effort.

"It may sound funny to say I'm happy when you lose 6-1, but we played hard. You can live with a loss when you give an effort like that. We had some good chances in the second period to make the game a little closer. It was a much better effort than the night before and we were short bodies."

Guelph opened the scoring three and half minutes into the first period and by the end of the period enjoyed a 3-0 advantage. Sarnia outplayed and outshot the Storm 14-11 in the second period, but had no luck around the net.

Vladislav Kodola and Josh Chapman both rang shots off the post. The Sting enjoyed a two-man advantage for a full two minutes and peppered Storm goalie, Matthew Mancina, but could not score.

Guelph led 4-0 after two periods after Zack Mitchell scored a power play goal in the second frame.

The Sting finally solved Mancina at 9:58 of period three when Nikolay Goldobin took a goalmouth pass from Nick Latta and snapped home a shot from close range. It was Goldobin's 33rd goal of the second.

Kerby Rychel scored Guelph's fifth goal at 11:44 and Robby Fabbri the sixth goal on a power play late in the game.

Guelph held a 40-27 edge in shots on goal. Brodie Barrick gave a solid effort between the pipes for the Sting and couldn't be faulted on any of the goals.

"The last two periods we played really good hockey," said team captain Nick Latta. "It's too bad we didn't play that way the entire game. We put together 60 minutes like we did for 40 tonight and we are going to be in a lot of games and get points."

Sarnia went zero-for-seven on the power play while Guelph was three-for-four.

Next action for the Sting is Saturday night when they host the Mississauga Steelheads beginning at 7:05 p.m. at the RBC Centre.

"That game is very important for us. The game with Guelph was a step in the right direction. It's going to be a challenge, but there are points out there if we can come up with a good effort," Letowski said.

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.

Check out the Sarnia Sting Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central