The Sarnia Sting dropped their season home opener to the Saginaw Spirit 7-4 Friday night.
The Sting were trailing 7-0 after the first two periods at Progressive Auto Sales Arena.
"I could probably sum up the first two periods with probably a swear word, terrible," said Sarnia Sting Head Coach Alan Letang. "After the second we went in as a staff and we challenged them and told them you can't play in this league if you don't work hard, if you don't finish checks and if you don't play with some sandpaper."
After giving up five goals on 11 shots, Sting goalie Ben Gaudreau was pulled in the second period and replaced with Nicholas Surzycia.
"I expect Benny to be better," said Letang. "I expect us to be better in front of him also though. I'm not putting it all on Benny, but he's the best goalie in the league for a reason so he's got to be ready at the start too."
Zach Filak got the Sarnia Sting on the board with a goal early in the third period, followed by goals from Alex Daviault, Ethan Ritchie and Ty Voit.
"In the third period we got down to work and if we would have started that way, the game would have been a totally different game," said Letang. "It would have been entertaining for our fans, it would have been exciting to play. And that's our identity, that's how we have to play, practice, that's how we have to go in the gym with our attitude, that's our M.O. and we have to be that. We talk about embracing the grind, this season will be a grind and we have to embrace it."
The Sarnia Sting are home to the Soo Greyhounds on Sunday at Progressive Auto Sales Arena. Puck drop is set for 2:05 p.m. on CHOK (103.9FM/1070AM).
The guys kicked it into overdrive for the 3rd period but we just couldn't get there.
Next game is THIS Sunday October 9th at 2:05 ⌚️#SwarmWarning? pic.twitter.com/AcPmYfhaqb
— Sarnia Sting (@StingHockey) October 8, 2022
