Sarnia Sting Takes Pre-season Win After Shoot-Out

tuesday September 2, 2014

The Sarnia Sting celebrated a win in their first pre-season game in the Ontario Hockey League with a 3 – 2 shootout win over the Saginaw Spirit Monday at the RBC Centre.

"Before the game I talked with the players." Head Coach Trevor Lewtoski said "We're continuing to evaluate our guys we got a couple of days in camp and this is the first true game situation."
 

"I thought overall it was a good start. We had good energy early. I thought the penalties took away from the game a little bit and the flow of it but overall it's a good start for us."

Sarnia’s first goal came midway through the first period with Ryan Vendramin scoring with Kevin Spinozzi and Connor Schlichting assisting.

In the second period Saginaw’s Luke Cairns scored on the power play to even the score but the Sting regained the lead less than a minute later after Troy Lajeuness sent it to Davis Brown who knocked it in. First round OHL selection draft pick Jakob Chychrum earned an assist on the play.

In the third just over the mid way point Mitchell Stephens scored on a two man advantage for the Spirit to tie the game which eventually sent the game into a shoot out.
 

In the shoot out #27 Jordan Kyrou was the sixth shooter and only player to scored that gave the Sting the win.

Netminder Justin Fazio stopped all three Saginaw’s attempts.

Taylor Dupuis got the start and midway in the second was replaced by Fazio.

Letowski thought both goalies had an outstanding game and played well.

"Dups (Dupuis) came in last year and we weren't sure what he was. He had a real good year for us in a tough situation and were hoping he takes another step and become an elite player in our league this year as a 20 year old.  Faz "(Fazio) had competition in this camp but he kind of seems to answer the bell. We put him in some tough situations last year and he held his own. He's come in and he's been strong so far, the hope is that Faz will push Dups for starts."

Sarnia went scoreless on six power play attempts, Saginaw was two for eight.

The #1 Import Draft pick #14 Pavel Zacha was named the games first star of the night.  
 

"From day one he [Zacha] has a great attitude towards the game and you can tell he's been well schooled" Letowski said  "He's a discipline kid that really wants it and he's going to be a pleasure to coach. He does a lot of the right things out there it's not just offence, he's a physical player, plays both ways and wants to win hockey games and score big goals, it's been a great start for him for sure."

Mitchell Stephens of Saginaw was named second star and Kyrou third star.
 

Sarnia has twenty six players remaining on the roster.  Not dressed in this game were Nikita Korostelev, Daniel Nikandrov, Joshua Chapman, Anthony DeAngelo, Jacob O’Donnell and Brendan Trottier.

Lewtowski says they are unsure when they will trim down the roster as they will continue to evaluate and more cuts may come after the upcoming weekend.   

The Sting will have a day off before they are back Wednesday in preparation for the second exhibition game Friday in London.  London then returns to Sarnia on Saturday for a 7:05  pm start.