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Sting defeat 67s with Latta leading the way
DAVE BORODY  November 7th, 2010

Forward Nick Latta is often referred to as “the other” player taken in the Canadian Hockey League import draft by the Sarnia Sting after Nail Yakupov.However, after a slow start, the German-born Latta is starting to show his talents.

Latta had a goal and added an assist in leading the Sting to a 4-1 victory over the Ottawa 67s, Saturday night before 2,847 fans at the RBC Centre. The win moved the Sting back to the .500 mark in the Ontario Hockey League at 8-8-2-0.

Latta has dressed for 16 games, but at times saw limited ice time. But he quietly still has accumulated five goals and two assists.

“I’m getting used to everything here in Canada,” said Latta, who was named the game’s first star. “The speed of the game is different that what I was used to and also the smaller rinks. But things are getting better for me every game.”

Latta liked the way the Sting responded after losing to Saginaw on Friday night.

“That was a tough game to lose against Saginaw and it was important to bounce back. I thought the team was ready to go and we were motivated because Ottawa is a good team.”

Sting head coach Dave MacQueen liked the way Latta played. “Even in the Soo on Wednesday he was good, but tonight was the best game I’ve seen him play this season. He was hard on the puck. He has a nose for the net and creating opportunities. He continues to move forward and will earn more ice time.”
Latta played on the “fourth line” with Garrett Hooey and newcomer Dean Pawlaczyk and the trio provided a lot of energy and minutes.

“With our third and fourth lines it’s a process,” said MacQueen. “We aren’t going to match those lines up with their top lines or put them in positions to fail. They played well defensively and when that happens you are going to get them out there.”

He added, “With young players it’s a trust factor. When you can trust them defensively you can play them more. It’s tough, but again it’s that process for everybody.”

Sarnia led 2-1 after the first period and 3-1 after the second. Despite having the game’s opening four power plays, Sarnia took a 2-0 lead with the teams at even strength. Kale Kerbashian opened the scoring at 4:50 with his 11th of the year as he banged home a centering pass from Nail Yakupov. (Kerbashian now has at least one point in 10 consecutive games).

Craig Hottot staked the Sting to a 2-0 advantage at 12:05 with his fourth of the year as he backhanded a shot from close range. The puck came off the backboards right to Hottot who slipped the puck past a surprised 67s goalie, Shayne Campbell.

Ottawa cut the lead at 15:45 on the power play as Thomas Nesbitt drilled home a low slapshot between the legs of Sting goalie John Cullen. Cullen would prove to be unbeatable after that as he made 28 saves.

Sarnia scored the only goal of the second period at 11:47 when Brandon Francisco tipped home a goalmouth pass from Brett Ritchie. For Francisco it was his eighth goal of the year and fifth over his past three games.

After three solid saves by Cullen early in the third period, Latta put the game on ice for the Sting with eight minutes remaining as he knocked in a loose puck after a wild scramble around the Ottawa goal.

“Tonight we played better defensively and that was our goal,” said MacQueen. “We are still making some mistakes we need to correct. Ottawa is a good hockey club and we needed to be ready to play. It was a pretty solid game. John Cullen made the saves when he had to and we found a way to win against a pretty good team.” MacQueen said the game was different than against Saginaw.

“Saginaw plays a run and gun high octane style of game. Ottawa is tighter checking and didn’t give us a lot. We were patient and didn’t try and force the play and were rewarded with some goals.”

Sarnia was zero-for-seven on the power play and again almost gave up a shorthanded goal. The Sting has allowed seven shorthanded goals, the most in the league.

“We have to be more aware and need to do a better job of making better decisions when we enter the offensive zone. We seem to be trying and force the puck to areas where we shouldn’t. When that happens we get into trouble.”

Ex-Sting goalie Shayne Campbell made 23 stops in his return to Sarnia. Ottawa was one-for-five with the man advantage. The Sting now prepare for a three-game road trip as they play Friday night in Ottawa, Saturday in Belleville and Sunday afternoon in Kingston.

“We need to do this trip at some point and now is a good a time as any. We play three games in two and a half days against some good teams. One of those games will be on the big ice in Belleville. We have to make sure we are prepared by having a good week of practice,” MacQueen said.

Sarnia’s next home game is not until Nov. 19th when they host Saginaw at 7:05 p.m.

STING NOTES
- Latta was first star with Cullen second star and Alex Galchenyuk third star. Galchenyuk and Yakupov had two assists
each.
- The two points gives Yakupov 31 on the season and propelled him back into the OHL scoring lead.
- Scratches for the Sting included Kyle Flemington, J.C. Campagna and Ryan Zupancic, all numbers.
- Pawlaczyk played his first game at the RBC Centre since acquired in a trade from Barrie. He was    involved in a second period fight where he got the best of his opponent.
- Sarnia improved to 6-4-0-0 on home ice while Ottawa is now 7-4-0-0 on the road.





 




 

 

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