Sting take 2-0 series lead on Burke's OT winner

Nolan Burke scored in overtime to lift the Sarnia Sting to a 5-4 win over the visiting Guelph Storm Sunday afternoon.

Burke's second goal of the series, at 10:30 of the extra frame, gave Sarnia a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-seven opening round playoff matchup.

Sarnia's Luca Del Bel Belluz scored twice in the win, Burke, Ty Voit and Sasha Pastujov also had multi-point games, and Sting netminder Ben Gaudreau turned away 31 shots.

Del Bel Belluz opened the scoring with a power play goal at 4:34 of the first period. Former Sting Max Namestnikov tied things at one at 11:45, Guelph's first goal of the series. Del Bel Belluz scored his second of the game, and third of the series, at 14:26 to restore Sarnia's one-goal lead. However, Storm forward Ben McFarlane responded less than a minute later to tie things at two after 20 minutes.

Zach Filak put the Sting back in front at 12:15 of the second period, his first goal of the series. Guelph's Cooper Walker scored at 16:20 to make it 3-3 heading into the third period.

Just over two minutes into the final frame, the Storm took their first lead of the series when Jake Karabela batted a rebound past Gaudreau, making it 4-3. With under two minutes on the clock, Marko Sikic put home a loose puck in front to make it 4-4, forcing overtime.

Sarnia dominated the extra frame, outshooting Guelph 5-0. Burke ended the game when a Christian Kyrou point-shot deflected off of his left skate and into the net. The goal was upheld following a video review.

"I won the draw back and I was just trying to get to the net and I remember I kind of beat my guy and looked up, I was just trying to stop the puck and the next thing you know, it just hit my foot and went in," said Burke.

The goal was upheld following a video review.

"The first celebration, in my head I was just like please count, please don't be disallowed, and then when they finally put the arm out, the second celebration was awesome," said Burke.

Game three of the series goes Tuesday night in Guelph -- coverage on CHOK (103.9 FM/1070 AM) gets going at 6:30 p.m.

Sting defenceman Ethan Del Mastro carries the puck in Game 2 of Sarnia's opening round matchup versus the Guelph Storm. 2 April 2023. (Metcalfe Photography)

Sting goaltender Ben Gaudreau makes a save in Game 2 of Sarnia's opening round matchup versus the Guelph Storm. 2 April 2023. (Metcalfe Photography)

The Sarnia Sting hosting the Guelph Storm in Game 2 of the opening round playoff matchup. 2 April 2023. (Metcalfe Photography)

Sting defenceman Ethan Del Mastro squares off with Guelph's Ben McFarlane in Game 2 of the opening round playoff matchup. 2 April 2023. (Metcalfe Photography)

Sting defenceman Ethan Del Mastro in Game 2 of Sarnia's opening round playoff matchup against the Guelph Storm. 2 April 2023. (Metcalfe Photography)

Sarnia's Zach Filak celebrates a goal in Game 2 of the Sting's opening round matchup against the Guelph Storm. 2 April 2023. (Metcalfe Photography)

Sting defenceman Lukas Fischer squares off with Guelph's Ryan McGuire in Game 2 of the opening round playoff matchup. 2 April 2023. (Metcalfe Photography)

Sarnia celebrates a goal in Game 2 of the Sting's opening round matchup against the Guelph Storm. 2 April 2023. (Metcalfe Photography)

Sting forward Nolan Burke named the second star in Game 2 of the Sarnia's opening round matchup against the Guelph Storm. 2 April 2023. (Metcalfe Photography)