Thursday night was the Sarnia Novice Stings first game of the tournament against county rival Mooretown Storm.  The last time these teams met, the result was 10-4, so the boys were anxious to redeem themselves.

Unlike the first time these teams met the Sting played a much more tight checking game.  This started with strong defensive play by our 6 defensemen and supported by some fine backchecking by the forwards.  At the end of the first period it was 1-0 Mooretown.

In the second, Sarnia was able to tie it at 1 apiece with a goal from Cameron Rannie off a Max Steeves pass.  Not long after, Mooretown went up again…but it was short lived as  Steeves and Rannie paired up again to make it 2-2.

Despite trying their best the boys were unable to contain Mooretown, specifically Jared Pageau, who scored his third of the game and the eventual game winner.

Hard lines boys!  A much better showing this time and next time it will be even better.  In the past we proved we could score goals, now we proved we can prevent them too.  Put them together and it’s a formula for success.

The Sting were in action on Friday night for the second game of the tournament versus a team from Bracebridge.

Right from the first puck drop the Sting were all over this team.  They had numerous chances but just couldn’t to find the handle to finish off their opportunities.  The Sting was dictating the flow of this game, even when they were shorthanded, but couldn’t buy a break.  Bracebridge then score a heartbreaker, which was very disappointing to the boys and fans after all their hardwork.

The second period was a continuation of the boys controlling the game but weren’t getting any lucky bounces only unlucky penalty calls.  They successfully killed off a couple of powerplays with some great work from our improving D, and great backchecking.  Unfortunately before the end of the period Bracebridge cashed in again.

Down 2-0 going into the third the Sting did not give up.  The continued to press and generate chances but still couldn’t seem to get shots on net.  Finally, late in the 3^rd Brayden Groulx and Jameson Hart did some good work on the boards and centred it to Cameron Adam who sent a backhander into the net.  The Sting kept up there momentum, even though shorthanded 5 on 3 and looked like they were going to tie it up.  With the crowd  in a complete frenzy, sitting on the edge of their seats, Max Steeves dished it off to Ben Schoch who penetrated the offensive zone and took a desperation shot with only 24 seconds left and scored a miraculous tying goal! 

 A 2-2 draw, great effort boys!  You dominated the play in that game and deserved the win, just shows how important it is to get shots on the net.

The Sting were in action early Saturday morning against Listowel.  This was definitely a must win game for the Sting as they lost there first and tied there second.

The first period saw a bit of the same luck as the previous game as the boys couldn’t seem to by a break despite there hard efforts, including a save by the Listowel goalie on a breakaway.  Our goalie, Henrik Lindhout made some good saves as well, like the beauty on a wrap around attempt.  Listowel were able to score a goal before the end of the period, even though Sarnia controlled most of the play.

In the second period the boys light it up 4 times.  The scoring was started by Dylan Schroeter, who battled hard out front and buried it.  Not long after, Brayden Groulx passed off to Nic Discanno who bulled through defenders and beat the goaltender.  Listowel got a delayed penalty called against them but before it was whistled down Sarnia scored.  It was Jacob Williams who skated into the zone took a shot that rebounded off the back bords right out front to Jameson Hart who tapped it in.

With 35 seconds left  in the period Sarnia made one more rush Marcus Cossa passed to Dante Fuoco who shot on net and the rebound came right to Nic Discanno who made no mistake to make it 4-1 at the end of the 2^nd .

The third started with some great play by our defensive corp who kept Listowel at bay.  This gave the opportunity for the Sting to capitalize on there chances.  It was Jameson Hart who passed it up to Cameron Adam who with a burst of speed got a partial breakaway, shot and found the twine to make it 5-1.  Unfortunately Listowel were able to break through the Stings armour twice near the end of the period to make it a 5-3 final.