Tippett Leads Way as Spirit Beat Sting

The Sarnia Sting came into last night's game against the Saginaw Spirit looking to get two points closer to clinching a playoff spot. Unfortunately, that was not the case last night.

Ryan McLeod opened the scoring with just fifteen seconds remaining in the first period after winning a battle in front of the Sarnia net and putting home the loose puck. That was McLeod's 19th goal of the season, assisted by Owen Tippett and Bode Wilde.

At the three minute mark of the second period, Sean Josling stole the puck while shorthanded and drove to the Saginaw net, and Ryan McGregor found the rebound and buried it for his 25th goal of the season. Kelton Hatcher and Josling had the assists.

Damien Giroux responded just a minute and a half later with his 28th goal of the year to make it 2-1. Tippett and Wilde had the assists.

Hugo Leufvenius tied things up with a snipe from the right side that beat Prosvetov for his team-leading 36th goal of the season. McGregor assisted on the tally.

With just over five minutes to play in the second, Cole Perfetti made it 3-2 after beating not one, but two Sarnia defenders and then Lamour for an amazing effort and goal. This was Perfetti's 36th goal of the season and Blade Jenkins assisted on it.

The Spirit scored three goals in the third period to make the final score of this game 6-2. Owen Tippett scored his 33rd goal of the season assisted by Perfetti and Justin Murray. Blade Jenkins scored his 23rd goal of the year which was assisted by Perfetti and Tippett. Finally, Damien Giroux scored his 29th goal of the campaign, assisted by Murray and DJ Busdeker. Despite the score, the Sting were playing well for most of the game, and if a couple bounces went a different direction this game may have ended differently.

Ivan Prosvetov stopped 29/31 shots in the win and Cameron Lamour stopped 21/27 shots in the loss.

Sarnia's next game is on Friday night against the Windsor Spitfires, which will be a must-win game if the Sting want to keep their playoff hopes alive.