Veteran Kevin Spinozzi and newcomers Adam Ruzicka and Jaden Lindo led the Sarnia Sting to a 4-1 win over the visiting London Knights Wednesday night in the OHL season opener for both clubs.
Both teams started the season with several regular players out of the lineup at NHL training camps.
After a scoreless first period, the Sting struck early in the second when overage right winger Lindo, acquired this week in a trade with the Owen Sound Attack, scored on the power play with assists going to Ruzicka and Spinozzi. Sarnia led 1-0 after two periods.
The Sting opened up a 2-0 lead early in the third period with Spinozzi finishing off a pretty three way passing play with Ruzicka and Lindo. The defending Memorial Cup champion Knights responded 24 seconds later on a goal by Robert Thomas but Ryan McGregor quickly restored the two goal lead on a quick wrist shot. Ruzicka, a CHL import pick from Slovakia, recorded his third assist of the game in his debut with the Sting before an opening night crowd of 3,050.
Spinozzi scored his second of the game on the power play with about eight minutes remaining when his hard shot found the top of the London net sending the water bottle high into the air.
The Sting outshot the Knights 31-24. Justin Fazio was solid in goal for Sarnia while Tyler Johnson went the distance in net for London.
Sarnia was 2 for 5 on the power play and the Knights 0 for 6.
Head coach Derian Hatcher says, despite depleted rosters on both sides, it's a great start. "We implemented some new stuff and they bought into it and looked really good out there," says Hatcher. "The line of McGregor, Lindo and Ruzicka dominated the game, that's just the bottom line."
The Sting is back in action Friday night at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena against Owen Sound.
Listen to all the action on 103.9 FM, 1070 AM CHOK.
