The Sarnia Sting edged the Flint Firebirds 4-3 in front of 2,953 fans at the Sarnia Sports and Entertainment Centre Friday night.
With four regulars out of the lineup the Sting called up a pair of players from the GOJHL, Sarnia native Franco Sproviero from Lambton Shores and Jacob Stos from the Legionnaires. Stos was making his OHL debut while Sproviero recorded his first OHL point, playing in his third game this season.
Patrick White opened the scoring 7:55 into the contest, finishing off a nifty pass from behind the net by Travis Konecny, Brandon Lindberg drew the other assist. The lead was shortlived, just 18 seconds later Nicholas Caamano redirected a point shot by Charlie Graham to even things up. The Sting would regain the lead before the end of the frame, Matt Mistelle notching his 19th of the season, Josh Jacobs and Zachary Core adding the helpers on the play.
Flint once again tied the score with Vili Saarijarvi picking up his first of two goals on the night, just three minutes into the second period. The Sting regained the lead late in the stanza, with Josh Jacobs picking up his third goal of the season, capping off a two point night for the New Jersey Devils prospect. Speaking of New Jersey prospects, Pavel Zacha became the first Sting to reach the 20 goal plateau, finishing off a give and go play with a slap shot through goaltender Brent Moran.
The Firebirds scored a powerplay goal 4:56 into the final period two trim the lead to one, but that is as close as they would come.
Donning a newly painted Sting mask, Charlie Graham stopped 34 of 37 shots to improve his record to 4-1-0 since coming to Sarnia. In the Flint net, Moran stopped 26 of 30 shots, to see his record drop to 0-12-2 since joining Flint in a December trade.
The two teams will meet again in Flint tomorrow night, where Jordan Kyrou and Jakob Chychrun are expected back in the Sting line up.
Defencemen Alex Black is eligible to return Sunday when the Sting face the West Division leading Windsor Spitfires.
Kevin Spinozzi, who was suspended five games for the dust up against the Knights, can come back February 7. Fittingly enough when the Sting travel to London.
Monetary donations for the Flint water crisis were collected for the American Red Cross at the SSEC Friday night.
Over $6,000 raised for the Flint water crisis tonight - Thank you Sarnia! Grand total to be announced on Monday #FundsForFlint
— Sarnia Sting (@StingHockey) January 30, 2016
