The Sarnia Sting suffered their first loss of the young OHL season, 7-4, in Flint Michigan Saturday night.
The Sting fell behind early when Nicholas Caamano beat Aidan Hughes on a breakaway just 33 seconds into the game. The Firebirds took a 2-0 lead before Sarnia stormed back with goals by Filip Helt and Troy Lajeunesse to make it 2-2 after the first period.
The Sting again surrendered a goal in the first minute to open the second period and found themselves down 5-2 until defenceman Jordan Ernst fired home his own rebound at 17:36. It was 5-3 Flint after 40 minutes.
St. Louis Blues prospect Jordan Kyrou assisted on all three of the Sting goals.
Hughes, getting his first start of the season in goal, was replaced by Justin Fazio after the second period, after giving up five goals on 31 shots. Sarnia was outshot 46-39.
Connor Hicks, acquired from Hamilton in a trade, recorded his first win with Flint, stopping 35 of 39 shots including a save on a penalty shot by Nikita Korostelev.
Caamano scored again in the third period on a 5-on-3 power play. He had two goals and three assists in the contest and was named first star.
Korostelev scored his fourth goal in just two games since returning from the Maple Leafs camp, to again narrow the gap to two goals but that's as close as the Sting would get.
The Firebirds added another late goal to make the final 7-4.
The Sting's early season record falls to 3 and 1. They play their third game in as many days Sunday afternoon at home to Sault Ste. Marie. They have yet to lose in three starts at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena. Listen to all the action on 103.9 FM, 1070 AM CHOK.
