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Sting Win Home/Home Series in Flint

SUNDAY JANUARY 31, 2016
COMMUNITY NEWS

Written by Carl Chimenti

The Sarnia Sting remained perfect this weekend, winning for the second time in as many nights over the Flint Firebirds, 5-2, at the Dort Federal Event Centre in Flint, Michigan.

The big difference came in the second period as Sarnia scored three times to open up a comfortable lead. Goaltender Justin Fazio was terrific throughout the contest, especially in the third period when he stopped all seven shots to keep the Firebirds at bay. In all, he stopped 27 of the 29 shots he faced.

Sting forward Travis Konecny had another big game with two goals and one assist. Pavel Zacha, Jordan Kyrou and newly named captain Sam Studnicka scored one each. Jakob Chychrun added a pair of assists.

Villi Saarijarvi and Mathieu Henderson scored for Flint. Goaltender Matthew Menna, came in relief in the third period and was perfect, stopping all 10 shots.

Travis Konecny, scored twice in the first period to give the Sting a 2-1 lead after the first 20 minutes. Konecny, scored 58 seconds into the game and then tallied his second at 14:29. Chychrun assisted on the first goal and Ryan McGregor on the second. Mathieu Henderson scored for Flint at the 10:35 mark that tied the game at 1-1. Francesco Vilardi drew the assist.

In the second period Flint fell into some early penalty trouble as Alex Peters was sent to the box on two separate occasions and Sarnia took advantage, scoring a pair of power play goals. Newly named captain Studnicka scored at 2:56 after receiving a pass from Chychrun and Zacha followed that, with one of his own, 29 seconds later. Matt Mistele had the only assist. Studnicka had his 19^th goal of the season and Zacha lit the lamp for the 21^st time, to give Sarnia a 4-1 lead. Saarijarvi, scored his third goal in two nights against the Sting to make it 4-2. Will Bitten and Jacob Collins assisted on the goal that came at 6:49. Kyrou made it 5-2 scoring on his backhand from the slot. The goal came late at 17:04, with Mistele credited with the only assist. After two periods the shots were even at 22 apiece.

The Flint Firebirds decided to change goaltenders to start the third period, as Matthew Menna came in relief of Brent Moran. Moran’s night ended with 17 saves on 22 shots. Both Menna and Fazio had goose eggs in a scoreless third period.

Sting Notebook:

Head Coach, Derian Hatcher and his staff announced before Saturday’s game against Flint that forward Sam Studnicka as the new captain of the Sting.
Sarnia swept the three star selection, in order, Number 1, Konecny, Number 2, Chychrun and the third star went to Mistele.
Sarnia’s special teams were good as the Sting scored twice in six chances and were perfect on the PK, killing all six opportunities that Flint had with the man advantage.
It OHL day in Canada on Sunday, and Sarnia will be in Windsor, against the Spitfires (1pm, puck drop), to close out the weekend play, hoping for a sweep of three games in three days.