They say a tie game, especially at home, is like kissing your sister. But with the way the Sarnia Jr B Pacers have struggled so far this season, a tie game could turn out to be a big point by the end of the season.
 

The Pacers battled to a 7-7 overtime tie against the Wallaceburg Red Devils, Wednesday night before 281 fans at the Clearwater Arena.

The tie leaves Sarnia with a 2-7-1 record at the midway point of their Ontario Lacrosse Association junior B League season while Wallaceburg is now 2-6-1. Sarnia has 10 games remaining in the regular schedule.
 

The Pacers actually held the lead with just under three minutes to play in the 10-minute overtime session before Wallaceburg scored with just 3.6 seconds left on the clock to earn the tie.
 

Pacers head coach John Dark said he would have liked to get two points, but was happy with at least one point.

"After stinking the joint out last week in Wallaceburg when we lost 8-1, and were lucky to score a goal, this was a pretty good effort. Tonight we had the lead a few times. Our goalie played well, we got some goals from players who haven't scored much lately. and we did it missing three guys on the shelf with injuries."
 

Even though the Pacers scored just twice in the opening period to take a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes, Dark said his team has struggled early in the games this year.
 

"We are having a heck of a time getting motivated to start a game. So tonight after warmups we had a nice discussion of what we needed to do get play better early. I wanted to see who much pride these guys really have because they were laughing at us in Wallaceburg the other night when they got up four or five goals. "Tonight we moved the ball much better and fought for our scoring chances. It was a bit of a rarity tonight as we had our fair share of scoring chances. I think we had five great chances in the opening period. Even though we only score two, it was nice to see considering we probably had only five the entire game in Wallaceburg."
 

 

Sarnia led 2-1 after the first period before Wallaceburg rebounded to take a 5-4 lead after 40 minutes. The Pacers tied the game at 13:30 of period three and then took a 6-5 lead at 16:41 on Schieman's second goal. But Wallaceburg tied the game at 17:27.
 

The Pacers had a great chance with 13 seconds left in regulation time on a power play but Purves rang a low shot off the post.
 

Sarnia went ahead 7-6 at 7:08 of the 10-minute overtime session when Schieman notched his third of the game. But with their goalie on the bench for an extra attacker, Lamarsh tied the game for the Red Devils with 3.6 seconds left from close range.
 

Justin Matthews was in goal for Sarnia while Tye Belanger was between the pipes for Wallaceburg.
 

Sarnia continues to struggle on the power play as they were zero-for-five while Wallaceburg was three-for-three.

"That was a killer," said Dark, when asked about his power play. "Sometimes we get a selfish mentality on the power play. Tonight we had a midget at the top and a new guy down low. We're not real instinctive on the power play as to when to make a cut or drive to the net. Things like that."
 

Sarnia played without their top scorer in Riley Thompson who suffered a broken finger in the previous game at Wallaceburg. He's expected to be out two weeks.
 

The Pacers play at Owen Sound Saturday while their next home game is May 29th against Six Nations at 8 p.m.