Sarnia Sting continues to struggle with 4-3 loss to Owen Sound Attack

Feature, Sports — By JD Booth on October 6, 2012 at 9:53 am

By DAVE BORODY
Photo courtesy Metcalfe Photography

The tough times at home continue for the Sarnia Sting.

The Sting remained winless on home ice after dropping a tough 4-3 decision to the Owen Sound Attack, Friday night in front of 2,877 fans at the RBC Centrea.

The loss dropped Sarnia’s overall record to 1-3-0-1 in the Ontario Hockey League while they are 0-3-0-1 in four home games so far this season.

Three of the four losses have been by a goal while the other was lost in a shootout.

Last night’s game was close from start to finish. The Sting never led in the game as they tied the score three times before Owen Sound scored who proved to be the winning goal just 11 seconds into period three snapping a 3-3 tie.

“The kids worked hard,” said Sting head coach Jacques Beaulieu. “We missed an assignment on the opening face-off to start the third period and it cost us the game. It’s tough to take the losses at home because the kids are battling hard.”

Scoring has been an issue for the Sting as they went into the game with just eight goals in four games.

“The chances were pretty even the entire game,” said Beaulieu. “Their goalie (Jordan) Binnington made some key saves at big moments in the game. That’s why he’s one of the best goalies in the league.”

The Sting welcomed veteran defenceman Alex Basso and rookie forward Bryan Moore back into their lineup. The two were playing their first league games of the year after sitting out with injuries.

“We played a tough team and I did okay,” said Moore on his first career OHL start. “I wish I could have helped out with a little more offence. The second period saw lots of scoring chances on both sides and both teams got some lucky bounces.”

Moore picked up an assist on the first Sting goal.

Owen Sound scored the only goal of period one at 2:36 when Joseph Blandisi backhanded home a loose puck into the top corner.

Nick Latta of the Sting, who was celebrating his 19th birthday, had two glorious chances on goalmouth passes, but was robbed both times by Binnington.

The floodgates opened in the second period with five goals being scored, three by Sarnia.

The Sting tied the game at 7:36 when Alex Galchenyk banged home a rebound off a Moore shot for his second goal of the year. Craig Hottot also assisted.

Just over two minutes later the Attack regained the lead with Holden Cook slipped a backhand past Sting goalie J.P. Anderson after a turnover at the Sarnia blue line.

Charlie Sarault pulled Sarnia even at 15:33 on the power play when he drilled home a high shot on a cross-ice pass from Galchenyuk.

But Owen Sound went up 3-2 just 22 seconds later when Blandisi capitalized on another Sting turnover ripping home a low shot.

However, 34 seconds after that goal Sarnia squared matters at 3-3 when Latta tipped in a goalmouth pass from Anthony DeAngelo for his first of the year.

The winning goal came only 11 seconds into period three when Cameron Brace took a pass from Daniel Catenacci on a two-on-one break and fired a low shot between the legs of Anderson.

Sarnia did not get many scoring chances until the final minute when they pulled their goalie and also had a man advantage. They whistled the puck around the Attack goal, but could not come up with the equalizer.

Sarnia finished with a 33-30 edge in shots on goal.

The Sting resume action Saturday night when they make the long trip to Sault Ste. Marie to battle the Greyhounds.

“They won again tonight,” said Beaulieu. “They are a good team who are clicking right now. But we owe them one from last Friday here. Hopefully we can go in there and steal some points.

Sarnia is also on the road Monday afternoon in Windsor. Their next home game is Saturday, Oct. 15th against Niagara at 7 p.m. They are also home Sunday, Oct. 14th against Sault Ste. Marie at 2 p.m.

Tickets for all home games are on sale at the RBC Box Office, by calling 519-541-1717 or going online at Sarniasting.com

STING NOTES

- Blandisi was first star with Galchenyuk second star and Brace third star. Latta was named the Dickie’s hardest working player of the game.

- In special and emotional pre-game ceremonies, Sarnia presented their ex-captain, Nathan Chiarlitti with his team sweater, encased in glass. Chiarlitti played four seasons with the Sting before being traded to the Attack earlier this year.

- Ex-Sting Dusty Jamieson was at the game. The 31-year-old plays for Charlotte, North Carolina in the East Coast Hockey League. When he first arrived there nine years ago, Bryan Moore, now of the Sting, was a stick boy with the team.

- David Nemecek, Mike DiPaolo and Jordan Addesi did not dress for the Sting.

- After playing one another in back-to-back games, Sarnia and Owen Sound do not play again until the final two games of the regular schedule, March 15th and 16th.

Dave Borody is a freelance writer who covers Sting games both home and away and also does features for the Sting Website.

Tags: ohl hockey, owen sound attack, RBC Centre, Sarnia Sports, sarnia sting