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LONDON - It's not the way
the Sarnia Sting wanted to start 2011 in the Ontario
Hockey League.
For the second time in two nights the Sting fell to
the London Knights, this time by an 8-4 score,
Saturday night in front of 8,975 fans at the John
Labatt Centre.
Allowing 15 goals in two games, (two empty net
goals), has Sting coach Dave MacQueen concerned.
"Absolutely I'm concerned. We have some veteran blue
liners, but lately they look like they have never
played a game
before. Maybe it's time to send a message and sit
some guys out and let them watch. If we are going to
make mistakes it might as well be with the young
kids."
MacQueen added, "at times tonight we played okay and
it was very similar to last night's game. I don't
think the score was indicative of the play. But we
need our goalies to make some saves and that didn't
happen.
"I don't want to put all the blame on the goalies,
but unfortunately that's just the way it is. We
scored four goals on the road in a tough rink and at
the end of the day aren't even in the game. It seems
everything is magnified when you don't get that big
saves. Twice in the second period we pulled to
within a goal and we make a mental mistake and they
come right back and score."
The teams were tied 2-2 after the first period
before London took a 6-4 lead after 40 minutes and
scored the only two goals of period three.
Brandon Hope started in goal for Sarnia and played
two periods before giving way to John Cullen in the
third period.
They combined to face 42 shots. Michael Houser went
the distance for London and made 30 stops.
The Knights, who have now won five in a row, got a
balanced scoring attack, Seth Griffith scored two
goals while Scott Harrington, Stephen Sanza, Colin
Martin, Michael D'Orazio, Dane Fox and Jared Knight
added singles.
Brett Ritchie was tops for Sarnia with two goals. He
now has 13 on the season. After missing two games,
Ritchie has three goals and one assist over the past
three games. Nail Yakupov scored his team-high 25th
of the year while Kale Kerbashian had a goal and two
assists. Kerbashian now has 22 goals.
Sarnia is now two games under the .500 mark at
15-17-3-1 and currently sits in ninth place in the
Western Conference.
Penalties were not a major factor as each team had
one power play goal. MacQueen says his team needs to
bounce back quickly.
"Everyone knows this league elevates their game in
the second half. We did that against Plymouth where
we had a solid game with strong goaltending. But
with a young team you also need your veterans to
step up and lead the way. This year more than ever
it's so vital because there are a lot of veteran
teams in the Western Conference."
The Sting returns to action next week with three
games. They host the Kitchener Rangers on Thursday
and the Windsor Spitfires Friday. Both games begin
at 7:05 p.m. at the RBC Centre. Sarnia plays at
Plymouth Saturday night.
STING NOTES
- Ritchie was named the game's second star.
- Sarnia was missing four regulars, including three
forwards. The
latest injured player is Brandon Francisco who has
was
hurt in Thursday's game with London. Nick Latta is
with Germany at the world
juniors, Garrett Hooey is with Team
Ontario at the world under-17s in Winnipeg while
defenceman Ron Soucie was a
healthy scratch.
- Defenceman Anthony Donati was used as a
right-winger. He picked up
one assist. Forward Braden Kavaratzis was called up
from the Sarnia Legionnaires.
- Sarnia's road record is now 5-9-3-0.
- London holds a 3-0 record against the Sting this
season with three
more games to go between the two clubs.
- The OHL trade deadline is Jan. 10.
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