SAGINAW, Mich. – It will be another loss for the Sarnia Sting, but they picked up a valuable point and probably deserved two.
The top team in the Ontario Hockey League, the Saginaw Spirit scored a 4-3 overtime win over the Sting, Wednesday night before just 2,173 fans at the Dow Event Centre.

The win raised Saginaw’s record to 11-2-0-1 as they lead the Western Conference. Sarnia’s record fell to 4-7-2-0 as they lost for the seventh time in their last eight games.

But unlike in their previous game against Owen Sound, the Sting put forth a solid effort and came back from a 3-1 second period deficit to tie the game in the third period and force overtime.

Michael Sgarbossa scored for Saginaw at 2:57 of overtime backhand home a rebound from close range with Sting rookie goalie Brandon Hope having no chance.

“Arguably that is probably our best game of the year,” said Sting head coach Dave MacQueen. “There was a new sense on the bench. There was more enthusiasm and the guys were into the game. Frankly I thought we deserved a better fate.”

He added, “I liked the way we battled. They (Saginaw) are a good team. The difference tonight was our best players were our best players. Guys like Kale Kerbashian, who was outstanding, Nail Yakupov, Brent Sullivan and Joe Rogalski. We need those guys to be our best players.”

Yakupov had two goals and one assist while Kerbashian had a goal and two assists. The third member of the line, Tyler Peters chipped in with two assists.

MacQueen says its disappointing and upsetting to lose in overtime, but added, “Another good sign about this team is that they were visibly upset about losing in overtime. If we can play like that game in and game out, we are going to win a lot of hockey games.”
Kerbashian said the loss was not easy to take.

“It’s tough to be happy after that game. Saginaw is a good team and we were able to fight back. I thought our focus was there tonight. We’ve been having meetings with Mr. MacQueen to talk about things like that.”

He added, “Brandon Hope made some great saves. I haven’t seen saves like that from a 16-year-old since I was in Mississauga and (J.P.) Anderson.”

Saginaw scored the only goal of the first period on a power play at 11:47 when Vincent Trocheck wristed a high shot past Hope from the face-off circle.

Sarnia tied the game three minutes into period when when Kerbashian notched his sixth of the year deflecting home a Tyler Peters’ shot.
But the Spirit regained the lead three minutes later on their second power play goal as Ivan Telegin tipped in a point shot. The lead went to 3-1 at 14:44 when Alex Racino finished off a two-on-one break.

Sarnia closed the gap to 3-2 at 3:25 of period three when Yakopov scored sliding home a cross-ice pass from Kerbashian.

Sting goalie Brandon Hope made four point blank saves in a matter of two minutes to keep his team in the game.

Those saves were big as the Sting tied the game at 12:03 when Yakupov banged home a centering pass from Kerbashian for his team high 11th of the year.

Sarnia did have some chances late in the game and had three shots in overtime. The wining goal was the only the second shot Saginaw had in the five-minute extra session.

Sarnia finished with a 39-38 edge in shots on goal.


Last night’s game was the first for newcomer Dean Pawlaczyk to the Sting lineup. He was acquired from the Barrie Colts earlier in the week for an eighth round draft pick in 2011.

“I’m really glad I got traded to Sarnia,” said the left-winger. “I’ve only heard good things about this organization and the guys have treated me great. My uncle (Dan Pawlaczyk) played for Sarnia so I know a little bit about them.”

Pawlaczyk, 18, stands six feet tall and weighs 180 pounds. He is from Madison Heights, Michigan and a former fourth round pick of Barrie, (66th overall) in 2008.

“It just wasn’t a good situation for me (in Barrie). I needed to get out of there and get a fresh start. I’m a gritty player who is not afraid to go to the net and don’t mind the rough stuff.”

MacQueen says the trade was made for that reason.

“We needed to add some grit and sandpaper to our lineup. We liked what we heard about him. He also gives us another energy level that we need and he can push other players to be better.”

He had no points in four games with the Colts this season.

Pawlaczyk lasted until the 10:11 mark of the second period when he was involved in a fight. Unfortunately it was the second fight on the same stoppage and he not only received a five-minute major, but a game misconduct as well.

Pawlaczyk’s uncle Dan played with the Sting for only part of one season after a trade with Plymouth. He played with current Sting assistant coach Trevor Letowski.

To make room on the roster, the Sting sent rookie forward Blake Thomas back to his junior B team in St. Thomas.

“Blake needs to play and it was tough getting him into our lineup on a regular basis. He’s still our property and we will keep an eye on him. Hopefully he will get to play a lot there and get back into our lineup before the season is over.”

Sarnia began the game with six defencemen, but lost captain Nathan Chiarlitti 20 seconds into the second period when Spirit forward Anthony Camara ran him into the end boards. The Spirit player was handed a five-minute boarding penalty and game misconduct. Chiarlitti did not return.

Camara also fought Brent Sullivan of the Sting after the hit. Sullivan was forced to sit for 17 minutes, as he was the instigator. Forward Craig Hottot filled in on the blueline.

The Sting returns home this weekend for a pair of games at the RBC Centre. They host the Brampton Battalion Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. in there one and only visit to Sarnia while the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds come to town Sunday afternoon for a 2:05 p.m. start. (All kids 12 and under will be admitted for only $5 on Sunday).


- Sarnia had three players on the sidelines. Defenceman Kyle Flemington was serving the first of a three-game suspension
while another rearguard Ron Soucie was serving the first of a two-game suspension. Both suspensions came late in last Saturday’s loss to Owen Sound. Forward Jesse Stoughton was a healthy scratch.
- The Sting has 23 players on their roster. The team drafted fifteen; six came via a trade while two are free agents.
- Sarnia was one-for-five on the power play and Saginaw two-for-three.
- The Spirit remains unbeaten at home a 6-0-0-0 while Sarnia is 1-4-2-0 on the road.
- Yakupov was the second star.