The Sarnia Sting lost to Owen Sound for the third time in a week Sunday, falling to the visiting Attack 5-3.
Sting forward Nolan Burke scored his team-leading 31st goal of the season in the loss and Nolan DeGurse scored his second goal in three games since returning from an injury.
The Attack led 2-0 after 20 minutes on goals at 2:46 and 10:45. Sarnia outshot Owen Sound 12-8 in the opening frame.
Lorenzo Bonaiuto gave the Attack a 3-0 lead at 7:08 of the second period, his third of the season. Burke got the Sting on the board with a short-handed goal at 9:05 and DeGurse made 3-2 at 15:26 with a power play goal. Owen Sound outshot Sarnia 13-6 in the period and led by a goal after 40 minutes.
Zack Fillak tied the game at 7:12 of the third period, his 10th of the season and ninth goal this month. The Attack responded with a short-handed goal from Cedrick Guindon at 9:24. Owen Sound goaltender Corbin Votary turned away four shots the rest of the way and Stepan Machacek added an empty netter at 19:29 to secure the 5-3 win.
"I honestly thought we played pretty good," said Burke. "We didn't get the result we wanted, but I thought we took it to them offensively. We had a couple of defensive collapses that just can't happen, and they capitalized on them, but other than that, I thought we outplayed them."
Sting goaltender Anson Thornton turned away 27 shots in his second straight start. Votary made 26 saves for Owen Sound.
Sarnia is currently three points ahead of Erie for the final playoff spot in the OHL's Western Conference -- each team has 11 games remaining.
"We obviously know the situation we're in," said DeGurse. "But at the same time you can't just watch the standings, you have to go out there and do it, and we want to control our own destiny."
DeGurse missed 11 games with an injury before returning to the Sting lineup Friday night.
"It's just good to be back playing. Sitting in the stands is no fun. Although, when i was sitting out, the boys battled hard and picked up some big wins, but it's nice to be able to contribute as well."
Sarnia is in Windsor Thursday night -- coverage on CHOK (1070 AM/103.9 FM) begins at 7 p.m.
