Sting Unable to Overcome Deficit Against Firebirds

Last night, after clinching a playoff spot, the Sarnia Sting decided to rest Ryan McGregor, Hugo Leufvenius, Franco Sproviero, Sean Josling, Kelton Hatcher, Mitch Eliot, and Nick Grima. This gave the younger players a chance to show themselves in a game that did not really matter in the standings, which was a good thing, based on the final score, as the Sting lost 8-4.

Flint opened the scoring almost exactly at the ten-minute mark of the first period when Ethan Keppen scored his 29th goal of the season, assisted by Jack Wismer.

Jacob Perreault tied things up five minutes later with his 29th goal of the season.

In the second period, Hakon Nilsen made it 2-1 for Flint with his third goal of the season. Vladislav Kolyachonok assisted on the power play goal.

Four minutes later, Hunter Holmes added to the Firebirds' lead with his 12th goal of the season, assisted by Evan Vierling and Jack Phibbs.

Holmes added another goal just a couple minutes later to make it 4-1 for the Firebirds. Kyle Harris and Vierling drew the assists.

At the fifteen-minute mark of the second period, Emmet Pierce scored his eighth goal of the season, assisted by Jake Durham and Ty Dellandrea.

With just under two minutes to play in the second, Cody Morgan scored his 13th goal of the season. Assisting on the power play goal was Jack Wismer and Michael Bianconi.

Before time could expire in the second period, Kyle Harris scored his eighth goal of the year to make it 7-1 for Flint. Vieling and Holmes added the helpers.

Two minutes and thirty-seven seconds into the third period, Keppen scored his 30th goal of the campaign to but the Firebirds ahead by a touchdown, with Dellandrea getting the assist.

The Sting started a bit of a comeback in the third period, with Alexandre Hogue scoring his fifth goal of the season to cut their deficit to six goals. Curtis Egert had the assist.

Two minutes later, Egert scored his 14th goal of the season to make it 8-3.

With just a minute and one second left to play, Calvin Martin scored his 13th goal of the season, assisted by Justin McCombs and Nolan DeGurse.

Luke Cavallin started for the Firebirds and turned aside 29/33 shots in the win. Cameron Lamour started for the Sting, but was pulled after the second period after allowing seven goals on thirty shots. Ethan Langevin played in the third period and stopped 13/14 shots.

These teams meet again to finish up the regular season on Sunday afternoon in Sarnia.