Hamilton; After taking game one at home on Friday night the Major Bantam’s hit the road Saturday night for game two in Hamilton. Sarnia started the game off strong controlling the play in all three zones. The offensive line of Chapdelaine, Adams and Ginnell had several great scoring opportunities but couldn’t seem to beat the Reps Goaltender. Hamilton had the first power play of the game but a strong Sarnia penalty kill kept the Reps from mounting any type of pressure on the Sting. Soon after the Sting would get a power play of their own and once again the Reps netminder was solid in goal as he made several big saves point blank to keep the game tied at 0-0. Late in the first period Sarnia would strike first as Gage Riddoch would make a beautiful tape to tape pass to Kyle Adams who then hit a streaking Sean Ginnell as he would break wide around the defencemen and fire home a shot low glove to give the Sting a 1-0 lead at the end of the first period.

Second period action was more in favour of the Reps as they were able to even the score 1-1 with just 5 min left in the second period, this would be the score heading into the locker room for the flood between periods. Third period action had both teams coming out hard looking for the important 2pts as both teams played some strong in their defensive zones. With just under five minutes remaining in the third Sarnia seemed to turn things up a notch and had several great scoring chances but the Reps netminder was obviously on his game as he made several outstanding saves to keep the reps in it as this game would end 1-1 forcing a 5min overtime period. Matt Szabo made a couple of key saves for the Sting in the overtime frame and with just over a minute left Aiden Chapdelaine was sent in on a breakaway to finish off the Reps as he deked the goaltender but the puck went up on its side and didn’t get a clean shot away as this match would end 1-1 with each team getting a point. Series was now 3pts for Sarnia and 1pt for Hamilton in the race to 6pts.

Sarnia; Sunday the Sting were back on home ice where they’ve only lost 3 games in 18 matchups this season. This was an import game 3 as a Hamilton win could even up the series or a Sarnia win would put the defending champions on their heels. First period action the Reps seemed to have the jump on Sarnia with both teams trying to gain the advantage. For the third game in a row it was Sarnia on the board first and again it was Sean Ginnell with the opening goal with Aiden Chapdelaine and Kyle Adams picking up the assists. The lead didn’t last for long as Hamilton would even the game up just 14seconds later and then 29seconds later would get their first lead of the series 2-1 as the first period came to an end. 

Second period action again seen the Sting playing a little scrambled in all three zones as they were trying to even the game up while Hamilton was trying to put Sarnia away. Sarnia caught a break during the second period and went on the power play. The power play unit of Adams, Ginnell and Chapdelaine would even the game up as Adams would fire one home from the slot with Ginnell and Chapdelaine picking up assists as the second period came to a close and once again both teams heading to the locker room tied 2-2 heading into the final frame.

Third period action had both teams playing strong and getting some scoring opportunities but the Reps netminder from game two was in net again and made some big saves yet again while the Sting goaltender Riley Collins was equal to the task matching save for save. With just under 8 minutes left in the game Sarnia would catch another break as Austin Cooper would hit Devin Butler through the neutral zone with a nice pass as Butler would gain centre ice and proceed to dump the puck in the Reps zone for a line change but his slapshot from just over centre ice turned sideways and seemed to curve and elude the Reps netminder through the body and arm giving the Sting a 3-2 lead.  Hamilton still didn’t give up and kept coming at the Sting but Sarnia was ready for them and with the Hamilton goaltender pulled for the extra attacker,  Trever Forsten with 5 seconds left in the game would get the puck in the Sting zone and clear it high off the glass down the ice, the puck would go up on its edge and curl in the open net giving the Sting a 4-2 victory, Drew Morgan picked up an assist on the play. The win gives Sarnia a 5pt to 1pt lead in the quarter finals in a first to six point series. 

Sarnia will travel to Hamilton on Friday night for game 4 @ 9pm and try to finish off the league’s defending champs. If game 5 is required it will be Saturday Feb 25^th 4:30pm @ Clearwater Arena.   

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