On Friday December 10 at the Clearwater Arena the Sarnia Jr. Sting Minor Atom MD faced off against the London Nationals. Every contest between these two teams this year has been decided by a single goal and this game was no different.

Hayden Griffin’s hat trick led the offense as the Jr. Sting emerged with a come from behind 5-4 win. Griffin’s three point tally was matched by Ian Bailey’s three assist night.

Griffin started the scoring for the Sting at the half way point of the first period, assist Ian Bailey. London would follow seconds later with a goal to tie it up. The Nationals would add to that goal at the start of the second period and another with 5 minutes left in the second frame to make it 3 – 1 for the visitors. The Jr. Sting were on their heels and Stevie Schaefer was called upon to make several key saves as he held the game close.
Sarnia would score at the end of the second as the hard work of Collin Zimmer, Nathan Oliphant and Mathew Waun paid off with a goal crease scramble that Waun was able to shovel into the net. Zimmer and Kaz Gudelis were awarded helpers on the play.

In the third period the momentum seemed to shift to the Jr. Sting and Evan Trigatti deflected a point shot from Thomas Cardinal to tie the game at 3 aside. Two minutes later Hayden Griffin would score his second of the night as he out waited the London goalie and popped a wrist shot over the net minder to give Sarnia the lead. Zander Campbell and Ian Bailey drew assists on the play. The Nationals would tie the game at four aside with 7 minuets left as they took advantage of a Sarnia defensive lapse.

With four minutes left Hayden Griffin would complete his hat trick with a bullet wrist shot to the top corner to give the lead back to Sarnia; assist Ian Bailey and Logan Johnston. Cameron Stevens finished in net for the Jr. Sting and held off the Nationals final push. Logan Johnston had an especially strong night on defense for Sarnia.
The Jr. Sting next regular season game is home at the Clearwater Arena on Friday December 17 at 7:00 pm as they face the visiting West London Hawks