The Sarnia Sting struggled to find the back of the net in a 3-1 loss to the visiting Kitchener Rangers Wednesday night.
Sarnia was outshot 26-16, they went 0 for 6 on the power play, and they were held to a single goal for a second straight game.
Kitchener's Adrian Misaljevic opened the scoring at 6:57 of the first period, his third goal in three games, and the Rangers led 1-0 after 20 minutes.
Centreman Carson Rehkopf made it 2-0 for the road team with a power play goal at 7:26 of the second period, his second goal in the early going. Sting rookie defenceman James Barr brought his team within a goal at 14:17 of the middle frame -- it was the 16-year-old's first OHL career goal. The Rangers led 2-1 heading into the third period.
Kitchener locked things down in the third period, outshooting the Sting 10-5. Rangers forward Luke Ellinas put the game away with an empty-netter at 19:16 -- it was the 17-year-old's first OHL goal as well.
Sting netminder Nick Surzycia made 23 saves in the losing effort and was named the game's second star. Fellow Sarnia goaltender Ben Gaudreau, who recently returned from the Tampa Bay Lightning's training camp, was the backup. Kitchener's Tristan Malboeuf made 15 saves to help his team improve to 3-0.
For a second straight season, the Sting celebrated Lambton College Lions Night by dawning blue, Lions-themed jerseys.
The Sting are 1-2 through three games. The hockey club is back in action Friday night against the visiting Soo Greyhounds.
