The Sarnia Sting's late-season struggles continued Monday night with an 8-2 loss in Sault Ste. Marie.
The Sting have dropped seven straight games and are currently one point back of Erie for the final playoff spot in OHL's Western Conference with just six games remaining.
Sarnia opened the scoring at 6:16 on a power play goal from Ryan Mast. The Greyhounds tied things at ones at 8:17 before scoring three more goals in the first period to lead 4-1 after 20 minutes.
The Soo kept up the pressure in the second, outshooting Sarnia 12-4 in the middle frame. The Greyhounds scored at 15:50 and 17:04 to take a 6-1 lead into the third period.
Greyhounds forward Tye Kartye made it 7-1 just 40 seconds into the third period, his third goal of the game and 40th of the season. The Soo scored their eighth unanswered goal at 9:11 to put the game well out of reach. Sarnia's Theo Hill scored a power play goal at 11:47 to make the final 8-2.
Sting goaltender Ben Gaudreau gave up six goals on 26 shots and was replaced by backup Anson Thornton late in the second. Thornton turned away 11 of the 13 shots he faced.
Sarnia is back in action Thursday night in Erie -- puck drop on CHOK (1070 AM/103.9 FM) goes after 6 p.m.
