The Sarnia Sting rallied with five goals in the third period enroute to a thrilling 7-6 victory over the Mississauga Steelheads before 2,500 enthusiastic fans at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena Saturday.
Sarnia's Jacob Perreault opened the scoring with the first of his three goals on the power play at the 12:29 mark of the opening period but William Portokalis would score less than two minutes later.
Linemate and former Sting Calvin Martin would score before the end of the period to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.
The lead was extended to 3-1 on Cole Schwindt's goal midway through the second period before Perreault would score his second goal in the final minute of the period.
32 seconds into the final frame Anthony Tabak would tie the game followed by goals from the Steelheads' Nick Isaacson and Aiden Preuter.
Trailing 5-3 the Sting would mount a comeback with goals from Ryan McGregor and Justin Nolet.
Mississauga regained the lead on a goal from James Hardie at the 15:35 mark.
Sarnia would storm back with Anthony Tabak's second goal and Perreault's game-winner with 65 seconds left in regulation.
Captain McGregor had four assists on the night.
Perreault said "I think it was good for us with all the guys out for a couple of weeks (with Injuries) with a couple of guys stepping up. "Gregs" and Tabak had a really good game today."
He said the team did get off to a slow start. "A couple of boys in the locker room stepped up and I think it was a big game changer there and I think we came out in the second and third with a little more jump and I think that made the difference."
Benjamin Gaudreau stopped 22 of 28 Steelhead shots while Joe Ranger made 27 saves.
It was the Sting's third win in a row improving their record to 15-16-0-0 for 30 points, two points back of fourth place Sault Ste. Marie in the OHL's West Division and only ten points shy of division-leading Saginaw.
Sarnia is idle until Thursday when they visit the Spirit. The pregame show starts at 6:35 p.m. on 103.9 FM - 1070 AM CHOK.
