Randy Brunett Tournament
LaSalle, Ontario

Sarnia Sting vs Belle River

   The Minor Bantam MD team from Sarnia took on Belle River in the first of 3 guaranteed games in the Randy Brunett tournament held in LaSalle Ont.

   The first period saw Belle River come out flying, penning the Sting in their own end for the first three and half minutes of the game. Starting goalie Matt Williams stood tall in the Sarnia net turning aside 10 shots before being beaten with 7:22 to go in the first. Bellriver would score again at the 4:47 mark and then again 48 seconds later to make the score 3 – 0. The Sting team finally woke up and ended the period with some sustained pressure managing 6 shots on goal.

   The second period saw the Sting come out with more confidence after a spirited speech from their coach. Despite allowing a fourth goal at the 14:16 minute mark the Sarnia team began to force some turnovers and get their own opportunities on goal. Matt Williams continued to fight for his teammates throughout the period highlighted by a paddle down save with a minute to go that looked like a sure goal. The Sting managed to put 10 shots on goal in this frame.

   After a second period flood the Sting came out determined to show Belle River that they were capable of playing with them. From the opening whistle the Sarnia team traded opportunities with their opponents. Both goalies made difficult saves. Jordan Pavey was effective on the fore-check and Drew Morgan, Jason Braun and Keith Manery all had good chances to get the Sting on the board. As we have seen several times this year Kevin Durco led by example making hits and moving the puck. He made one rush where he put back to back toe drags on two Belle River players only to fire the shot just over the crossbar. Belle River scored with 1:04 to play. The final score was 5 – 0 Belle River. Keith Manery was voted player of the game for the Sarnia Sting by the officials. In their next game the Sting took on the LaSalle Sabres.

Game #2 Sarnia Sting vs LaSalle Sabres

     In this game the Sarnia Sting came out with a lot more confidence than their first game of the day. Starting goalie Noah Melanson looked strong in goal for Sarnia making a few difficult saves look easy. Shane Salisbury made a nice outlet pass to a streaking Tyler Bennison who made a nice backhand pass to Keith Manery. Manery went in alone on the LaSalle goalie and fired a nice shot past the glove hand to put Sarnia up 1 – 0. The play seemed to level off with both teams having opportunities,

   Period 2 saw LaSalle come out with a little more jump and get an early goal to tie the game 1 – 1. The Sting had several opportunities to go ahead in the game but the LaSalle goalie kept them in it. LaSalle was able to go ahead 2 – 1 when a broken play at the back end resulted in a turnover right in front of Melanson.  Rory Jones made a huge play, minutes later, paying the price as he took a hit at the blue line to get the puck out of his own end. Keith Manery swooped in to pick up the puck and went in on a two on one with Bennison. Manery slide a perfect pass across that Bennison buried in the back of the net to tie the game 2 – 2. LaSalle answered back shortly afterwards to be up 3 – 2 at the end of the second.

   Both teams came out strong in the third knowing that they had to win to keep hopes of advancing alive. Both goalies made the saves needed to keep those hopes alive. Five minutes into the third the LaSalle team got their fourth goal of the game after Melanson was beaten on a low shot from the point. The Sting continued to press and were rewarded with about 3 minutes to go when defenseman Jack Chapman took a pass deep in his own end. In full flight he worked his way past three of the five LaSalle players and ripped a shot from five feet inside the blue line that eluded the LaSalle goalie. The assists went to Zach Veenendaal and Cullen Smith. The Sarnia coach pulled the goalie with a minute and a half to go hoping to find the tying goal. Sarnia had several chances to tie the game but could not get a shot to go over the goal line. LaSalle won 4 – 3 in a close one.Tyler Bennison was voted the player of the game for Sarnia by the officials.

Game #3 Sarnia vs Tecumseh

     The Sarnia Sting came out very determined to get a win in this one. Matt Williams started in goal and again made some very good saves early on and throughout the first. The Sting were getting their chances as well at the other end. Jordan Pavey continued his strong tournament play putting the Sting up 1 – 0 at the 4:58 mark of the first. He let a high wrist shot go that beat the Tecumseh goalie cleanly. Assists went to Jason Braun who made a beautiful backhand pass to Pavey and Cullen Smith. Williams made a great pad save on a 2 on 1 with 30 seconds to go in the first to keep Sarnia ahead.

    The second period got a little more physical for both sides with some solid hits along the boards. Tecumseh took the first penalty of the game with 8:52 remaining in the second. Sarnia was able to apply some sustained pressure resulting in 4 solid chances on goal. Jordan Pavey scored his second of the game just after the penalty had expired to put the Sting up 2 – 0. Assists went to Braun and Zach Veenendaal who led a nice rush through the center ice area. Refusing to go quietly the Tecumseh team took advantage of some fortunate bounces and scored 2 goals in a minute and a half to tie the game 2 – 2 before the end of the period.

     Both teams took to the ice after the second period flood determined to win the game. Williams made a great save at the 12:20 mark to stay tied. Jack Chapman led a very promising rush moments later only to see his low shot stopped. Tecumseh took the lead at the 8:54 mark banging in a shot from the low crease area. With the Sting on their heels a bit Tecumseh struck again less than 2 minutes later to go up 4 -2. With minutes remaining Storm Astolfi made a great individual play tipping a cross ice pass past a defender at his own blue line. He jumped past the flat footed defender and took off on a breakaway. Alone on the goalie Stormy ripped a shot beating the goalie glove side. The Sting did everything they could to capitalize on their momentum but Tecumseh was able to close the door on them. The game ended 4 – 3 in favor of Tecumseh. The Sting player of the game was awarded to Jordan Pavey by the officials.