The Sarnia Sting fell to the Greyhounds for the first time this year, dropping a 5-2 contest in front of 2,521 fans at the Sarnia Sports and Entertainment Centre Thursday night.
Sault Ste. Marie carried the play for the majority of the first period, with Greyhounds captain Blake Speers scoring a powerplay goal with just over five minutes left in the opening period.
Zachary Senyshyn capitalizes on a turnover to give the Greyhounds a 2-0 lead in the opening minutes of the second period. Sarnia trailed 17-3 in the shot department 17-3 at the time, they would finish the game at a much more respectable 32-31. The visitors added another second period goal to give them a 3-0 lead through 40 minutes.
Pavel Zacha got the Sting over the scoreboard 3:13 into the third to cut the Greyhound lead to two. Just minutes later, Gabe Guertler capitalized on a rebound from a Colin White point shot to regain the three goal cushion. Zacha slid a backhand shot through the legs of Halverson to cut Sault Ste. Marie’s lead to two, finishing off a shorthanded partial breakaway.
Justin Fazio had to leave the game with an injury with just over eight minutes remaining. With a Greyhound crashing the crease, Fazio was forced to make an awkward save, and went off with what appeared to be a leg injury. Charlie Graham faced only two shots in relief, one of which was a laser from Senyshyn, as the Greyhound's leading scoring snapped high glove side to give the visitors the 5-2 lead.
Sarnia's powerplay was held off the score sheet on four opportunity,Sault Ste. Marie picked up a pair of goals on eight chances.
This was the sixth and final regular season meeting between the two teams, with Sarnia winning five of them.
Windsor was idle Thursday night so Sarnia maintains the West Division lead despite the loss.
The Sting will have an opportunity to distance themselves from the Spitfires when they host them Friday night. Sarnia goes into the game with a one point lead over Windsor.
