Kevin Spinozzi scored two of Sarnia's three goals in the Sting's 9-3 loss to the Erie Otters Saturday at Progressive Auto Sales Arena.
With the loss in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series, the Sting falls to a 2-0 deficit against the top-seeded Otters.
Sting goalie Aidan Hughes started the game after Justin Fazio hurt himself during warm-ups. Hughes was pulled from the game in the second period after allowing seven Erie goals. Blair Coffin replaced Hughes between the pipes.
The Otters scored four unchallenged goals in the first period. Warren Foegele opened the scoring on the power play just before the nine-minute mark. Taylor Raddysh doubled the Erie lead at 13:20, then Erik Cernak scored his first playoff goal just 27 seconds later. Anthony Cirelli's goal sent the teams to the dressing room for first intermission with a 4-0 Erie lead.
The scoring continued for the Otters in the second period when Dylan Strome found the net for a 5-0 Erie lead. Sarnia's Jordan Ernst finally broke the goose egg at 13:11, his second goal of the playoffs. Strome responded over a minute later with his second goal of the night, and Cirelli picked up his deuce shortly after that for a 7-1 Otters advantage at second intermission.
Spinozzi scored his goals back-to-back near the midway point of the third period to close the gap, but that would be all the offence Sarnia would muster. Ivan Lodnia and Haydn Hopkins scored the remaining goals for the Otters.
Hughes had 24 saves for the Sting before being pulled for Coffin, who stopped 12 more shots. Troy Timpano took the win for Erie in goal, collecting 26 saves.
Game 3 is Monday night in Sarnia.
