Travis Konecny played the role of hero on his birthday, scoring the overtime winner on a penalty shot as the Sting held off visiting Saginaw 4-3 Friday night.
Saginaw opened the scoring when Mitchell Stephens slid a rebound pass Charlie Graham to give the visitors the early advantage. The goal seemed the spark the home side as they came back with a vengeance. Salinitri scored just minutes later, finishing of a beautiful tic tac toe passing play from Nikita Korostelev and Travis Konecny. Not to be outdone, Matt Mistele finished off another brilliant passing play just over a minute later, Pavel Zacha and Jordan Kyrou picked up the helpers on Misteles's 29th.
Saginaw rookie Brady Gilmour, the fifth overall selection in the 2015 OHL draft, scored the second period’s only goal. His seeing eye shot found its way through traffic and between the legs of Graham, knotting the game at two.
Saginaw capitalized on a Sarnia turnover in the opening minute of the third period, Mitchell Stephens the benefactor, scoring his second of the evening. The Sting answered less than a minute later with Pavel Zacha wiring a slap shot into the top shelf to once again even the contest.
The two teams traded chances throughout the third period, with Saginaw goalie Cameron Zanussi making a couple of huge saves to keep the game tied through regulation.
Overtime was full of end to end action with both goalies holding the fort, Travis Konecny was hauled down on a breakaway, giving him a penalty shot.
Konecny, celebrating his 19th birthday, made no mistake. He beat Zanussi five hole to give the Sting the much needed extra point, sending the 3,702 fans at the Sarnia Sports and Entertainment Centre home happy.
The win gives Sarnia a five point lead over Windsor atop the West Division. Windsor takes on Owen Sound Saturday while the Sting are off until Tuesday when they travel to Guelph.
In an annual tradition, Sarnia honoured the team's billet families with a pregame ceremony.
