Sarnia Sting vs Oshawa Generals

Sting Lose in Overtime 5 - 4
September 18, 2009

It was a celebration to start the season off  with opening ceremonies that included OMHA All Time Great NHL referee Kerry Fraser. 

The opening Line up

After the ceremonial puck drop that included Sarnia Native Jordan Hill wearing his newly acquired "C" the game got underway. 

The season opener also included 3 other home town players who played in their first OHL game on this night.

The Sting celebrated the first goal of the season at 2:56 into the game when Nathan Chiarlitti scored a quick shot that bounced in and out that took Oshawa's netminder Michael Zador by surprise.  Midway into the period defencemen Ron Soucie went in and scored his first career OHL goal. 

Heading into the second period the Sting were up 2 - 0.  The Oshawa Generals came back and tied with the first by Jeff Brown at the 12:00 minute mark and the second a short handed goal at 18:10 by Boone Jenner. 
 

Oshawa took a penalty with 3 seconds left in the second period giving the Sting the power play to start the third.  Sarnia Ben O'Quinn scored his first goal on that powerplay on a wrap around play at 1:40 into the period to regain the lead, however that lead was taken away after Jeff Hayes of the Generals found Sarnia netminder Shayne Campbell relaxing and scored Oshawa's second shorthanded goal just over a minute later.  At 5:38 Hayes scored again this time on the powerplay to give the Generals the lead for the first time in the game. 
 

Sarnia native Tyler Peters scored his first official OHL goal at 7:09 to even the score.  At the end of the third both sides were even 5 - 5 sending the first game of the year into overtime where it took Oshawa just :22 seconds to score the winning goal earning the extra point.  Christian Thomas scored the winning goal overtime goal for Oshawa.  Final score Oshawa 5 - Sarnia 4.

• Sarnia went 1 for 7 and Oshawa 1 for 6 in powerplay opportunities.

• Sarnia took 24 penalty minutes on 9 infractions - Oshawa took 26 on 10 infractions
• Shots on goal were even at 34 apiece. Saves Oshawa - Michael Zador 30, Sarnia - Shayne Campbell 29
• Zack MacQueen, son of coach Dave MacQueen took a major hit to the head along the boards in the first period and sat out the rest of the game. 
• Rookie and Sarnia Native Craig Hottot made his presence known after taking on Kyle Hope in a heated exchange.
• Three stars -  1st star went to Jeff Hayes of Oshawa, 2nd star Sarnia Rookie Tyler Peters and 3rd Star Boone Jenner of Oshawa.
• Not all seats were filled at the SSEC however OHL website indicates 3,719 people were in attendance.  SSEC has a seating capacity of 4,100 seats (Sarnia Sting website indicates that over a year the average game draws 4,400 fans.)
• Next game the Sting travel to Owen Sound Wednesday September 23.
• Next home game Friday September 25 against Erie - game time 7:30

In other OHL games on Fri., Sep. 18
Ottawa 4 at S.S. Marie 5 in OT