by Deb Lawrence

 

The Blast were on the road to begin their first of four pre-season games on Saturday evening. They were hosted by the last year's WOHL winners the Strathroy Rockets at the Gemini Arena.

 

The starting goaltenders were Justin Roethlingshoefer for Strathroy and Matt Berglund for the Blast. The first period saw no scoring but Sarnia did hold the advantage in power play chances (6-1) and in shots on goal (19-11).

 

It wasn't until the two minute mark of the second period that Sarnia opened the scoring with a Tyler Cicchini goal from Wayd Pitfield and Jon Conrad. Sarnia's Brad Hurlock went off 22 seconds later for interference and it led to Strathroy scoring their first goal, a power play marker at the 3:18 mark. Scoring it was Joey Beauchamp from Andrew Secco and Walter Easter. The Rockets took the lead in the game at 8:59 with the teams playing four a side (Brett Lashbrook of the Rockets for high sticking and Sarnia's Kyle Gallinger for roughing). Scoring the goal was Patrick Easter with an assist to Walter Easter. The teams made a goal tending change with 8:59 remaining and between the pipes for Strathroy was Ben Thomas and for Sarnia was John Faulkner. Strathroy was 1 for 4 with the man advantage this period while Sarnia went 0 for 2. Strathroy outshot the Blast, 17-15 this period.

 

In the third period, Sarnia notched the game at two each with a power play goal of their own. Tying the game at the 11:16 mark was Derrek Coccimiglio with an assist picked up by Toby Brune as Dan Chadwick was off serving a double minor for high sticking. Sarnia took the lead for the second time in the game at 13:26 with a marker off the stick of Scott Stafford who roofed one over a sprawled Ben Thomas. With under five minutes to go and the teams playing four a side (Sarnia's Owen Rogers went off at 14:45 for slashing and Cody Johnson of Strathroy was given two minutes for high sticking), Strathroy's Patrick Easter scored an unassisted goal to tie the game at three apiece. Strathroy got a final chance to win the game during the final minute of play when Sarnia was called for too many men, but Faulkner and company would not surrender anything further and the game ended a tie. Strathroy was 0 for 4 with the man advantage this period and were 1 for 9 in the game. Sarnia was 1 for 3 on the power play this period and were 1 for 11 in the game. Strathroy put 12 shots on goal this period for a total of 40. Sarnia put 18 shots this period for a game total of 52.