The Jr. Sting started the Alliance Playoff Finals recently having to travel to Kitchener and end March Break a little earlier than expected.

Game 1

Lambton and Kitchener both started slowly with no great scoring chances early on but the play picked up as the period went on, but ended in a 0-0 draw. The second period saw many opportunities for both goals and penalties and neither occurred as both the Jr. Rangers goalie and the Jr. Stings Patrick Kelly were up to the task.

Kitchener got on the board first as they scored mid-way through the second to take a 1 goal lead into the period three. Josh Barraclough got the Jr. Sting back to even footing scoring on a breakaway after blocking a shot. The Jr. Rangers answered quickly to regain the lead. The refs decided that they weren’t calling anything on this night and the game got a little chippy, but it was even both ways. It looked as though Kitchener was going to take game one until Jack Hackett scored on a nice wrister from the top of the circle with under two minutes to go. Overtime could solve nothing and the game ended in a 2-2 tie.

The boys played hard and showed lots of grit, battling through the long drive some had after returning from skiing in time to play. The series looks like it could be a long one.

Lambton will have to play short-staffed the rest of the Playoffs as Cade Robbins broke a thumb while away skiing. Josh Barraclough and Jack Hackett had one goal each, Garrett Miller had one assist. Patrick Kelly was solid in net.

Game 2

Lambton got off to a fast start when Jameson Hart ripped a wrist shot to the top corner. The scored stayed that way until late in the first when Kitchener tied it up.

The Jr. Sting’s Nick DiScanno got the Jr. Sting back in front when he potted one from close range after Ben Schoch ripped one off the post. Josh Barraclough extended the lead to two when he was sent in on a breakaway by DiScanno after leaving the penalty box. Barraclough made no mistake and buried a backhander. Lambton sat back a little and the Jr. Rangers poured on the pressure and were rewarded, scoring with just under a minute to play to set up an exciting finish. Lambton was able to hang on and got the win 3-2.

The line of Ryan Gould, Nick DiScanno and Jameson Hart continue to play their best hockey of the year.  Ben Schoch led the squad with two assists, Jameson Hart, Nick DiScanno and Josh Barraclough each had one goal. Nick DiScanno and Garrett Miller each had an assist.  Ethan Hunt was strong between the pipes.

Game 3

Game three was back in Kitchener with the Jr. Sting hoping to take a strangle hold on the series and the chance to end it at home on Sunday.

Lambton controlled the play early in the first period and had a number of chances to score but were turned aside. The previous no penalty game was not to be repeated as the Jr. Sting picked up a penalty late in the period but managed to kill it off. Period one ended in a draw.

Lambton started a parade to the sin-bin with three successive infractions but dodged the bullets and were still tied when Ryan Gould got the Jr. Sting started jamming one home on a wrap-around. Lambton looked like they had momentum on their side after killing off a 5-3 power play and then taking the lead.  Unfortunately the penalties continued and Kitchener tied it up on the power play. The tide seemed to turn on a late second period Jr. Rangers goal to make it 2-1 as Lambton could not reply and gave up three more in the third before a late goal by Nick DiScanno made the final 5-2 Kitchener.

Jameson Hart had two assists. Nick DiScanno and Ryan Gould each had one goal, Nick DiScanno and Nash Nienhuis each had an assist.

Game 4

With the series tied at three points each, the pivotal game four was at home on Sunday morning.

Both teams knew that this was a big game and Lambton came out of the blocks strong generating numerous scoring chances. The Jr. Sting pressured Kitchener and looked as though they were take the lead but couldn’t find the range either missing the net or finding the Jr. Rangers goaltender.

The score was even half-way through the second period when Kitchener would take the lead on the power play. Kitchener would score another on the PP late in the second to take a 2-0 lead into period three. Lambton could not generate any offence in the third and Kitchener put it away with their third goal of the game. The game ended up 3-0 for Kitchener.

The Jr. Sting have dug themselves a hole but with a week of practice they are confident they can get a win in Kitchener on Sunday and bring it back to Sarnia next Monday.