The Sarnia Jr. Sting Minor
Atom's played their second road game
in three days travelling to London
to face the Oakridge Aeros on Monday
night. Having tied their first four
games of the season the team was
very anxious for the win.
As in previous games, the
kids came out strong and hungry
pressuring Oakridge in their own
zone for most of the period. Sarnia
was finally rewarded for their
efforts at the 2 minute mark when
right winger Chandler Haagsma broke
in on the right side and fired a
sharp wrist shot into the back of
the London net. Assisting on the
goal were Kurtis Allardyce and Jacob
Gould. The lead was short lived
however, as Oakridge scored 50
seconds later to tie the game up at
ones going into the second.
Sarnia continued their
strong forceful play in the second
period and restored the lead when
right winger
Adam Ikert made a beautiful
individual rush up ice and did not
disappoint as he deked out two
Oakridge defenders and put the puck
behind a surprised Aeros goalie.
The Sting would take the one
goal lead into the third period
hoping it would hold. At the 13
minute mark, Sarnia added to their
lead when Chandler Haagsma scored
his second of the night sliding the
puck into the London goal. Assists
went to Kurtis Allardyce and Jacob
Gould. The two goal lead was again
short lived as Oakridge fired two
quick goals (one powerplay) two
minutes apart. At one point it
seemed as if the Sting were headed
for their fifth straight tie. The
boys then settled down and
focused on the task at hand. With
three minutes to go in the game and
relentless Sting pressure Haagsma
scored his hat-trick jumping on a
loose rebound and pounding the
puck into the net. Cayden
Wise earned a great assist on the
goal. With dying seconds left in the
game Sarnia winger Mateo Troiani
secured the win by backhanding the
puck from the hashmarks past a
sprawling London goalie sending the
Sting on to their first win of the
season. Alex Newall would get the
assist.
At the final horn,
jubilation erupted from the Sting
bench as the kids congratulated
their goalie Ian Stauth on his great
performance.
Great "Team" effort was
exemplified by all the kids!!
Coaches were very proud!