With their playoff lives on the line, the Sting skated to a 5-1 victory in front of 3,623 fans at the Sarnia Sports and Entertainment Centre Saturday night.
Sarnia got off to a strong start, scoring twice in the opening frame while out shooting the Greyhounds 17-6. Matt Mistele continued his red hot playoffs, opening the scoring six minutes into the contest with his sixth of the seires. Pavel Zacha scored a power play goal two minutes later, Mistele picked up a an assist on the play. Jordan Kyrou had the primary assist on both first period goals.
The Sting got into some penalty trouble in the second period and the Greyhounds took advantage. Down two men, Gustav Bouramman one timed a shot past Charlie Graham to trim Sarnia's lead to one. Shortly after the goal, Zacha took a minor penalty to put Sault Ste. Marie on another five on three advantage.
Cue captain Sam Studnicka, who scored a shorthanded goal to regain a two goal lead for the home side. Halverson made several saves prior to the goal, with Studnicka batting the puck out of the air at the side of the Greyhounds goal. Ryan McGregor gave the Sting a three goal lead in the final minute of the period, after Halverson once again made a series of saves in the Sault Ste. Marie net.
Sarnia added two their lead in the third period, capitalizing on a Greyhound giveaway. Nikita Korostelev picked up the loose puck and fed Troy Lajeuneese for his first of the post season.
The win keeps Sarnia alive in the first round series, now trailing the Greyhounds 3-2. Game six is tomorrow night in Sault Ste. Marie, a Sting win would force a game seven Tuesday in Sarnia.
