Defenceman Nathan Chiarlitti is entering his third season with the Sarnia Sting.  He knows he has a role to fill this year and that’s to be a leader on and off the ice.  Chiarlitti contributes in a number of ways, but is primarily a stay-at-home defenceman who takes care of his own end first. However, Chiarlitti chipped in with a goal in helping the Sting post a 4-2 win over the London Knights.
 

It was Sarnia’s second pre-season game in the Ontario Hockey League. Sarnia and London tied 5-5 Friday night.

“Scoring is a bonus for me,” said Chiarlitti, who tied the game in the second period with a slapshot from the left point on the power play.
 

“I would like to help out more offensively, join the rush and chip in a little more when needed. Bit it’s defence-first for me. I need to be responsible in my own end, that’s the most important thing.”
 

Chiarlitti is ready to embrace his role on the team.
 

“I definitely want to be a leader on and off the ice. I want to mentor the young guys with a good work ethic. I’m not a guy who yells a lot, but more leading by example. Off the ice there is the right way to prepare for a game. That kind of stuff.”

Sting head coach Dave MacQueen has already talked to Chiarlitti about his role.
 

“He’s got to be a leader on and off the ice. I think his biggest asset he can lead by example on the ice and take charge of the dressing room off the ice. This is a big year for him and Nathan’s going to be counted on heavily.”
 

MacQueen added, “Nathan, along with some other veterans need to take the young guys under their wings and show them what it takes to be successful in this league. I know he’s ready for that role and I expect him to do a good job in that role.”

The game was another see-saw affair as the teams were tied 1-1 after the first period while Sarnia a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes. Their fourth goal came into an open net with 47.1 seconds remaining.
 

“Again, we have a lot of work to do, but I thought for the most part we competed,” said MacQueen. “We talked about odd-man rushes and sloppy plays at our blue line after the first period. I thought we got better in the second and third periods.”

He added, “when you see guys like Nathan and others throwing their bodies in front of shots you know these guys want to win hockey games.”
 

Tyler Peters scored his third goal of the pre-season, Garrett Hooey his second while Nail Yakupov completed the Sting scoring. Hooey’s goal turned out to be the game-winner as he took a pass from Braden Kavaratzis and ripped home a quick shot from the slot. The goal was a shorthanded effort.
 

 Seth Griffth and Stephen Stanza scored for London.
 

John Cullen was in goal for Sarnia and faced 28 shots while Michael Houser handled 37 shots for the Knights.

“I thought our goaltending was very good again while some other guys played better than the night before. We don’t get too excited this time of year, but there were some good signs out there,” said MacQueen.
 

There were a rash of penalties forcing the Sting to kill off a number of penalties and twice was two men down for over a minute.
 

“We probably took too many penalties,” said Chiarlitti. But our penalty-killing was very good. I also liked the fact we stood up for one another.”
 

Sarnia will continue their exhibition schedule Friday night in Windsor while the two teams meet again Saturday night at the RBC Centre beginning at 7:05 p.m.
 

• Three ex-Sting players took part in pre-game ceremonies. They included former captain Matt Martin, Justin DiBenedetto and Michael Haley, all of the New York Islanders organization.

•  Chiarlitti was first star with Houser second star and Cullen third star.

•  Not dressed for the Sting were Lester Brown, J.C. Campagna, Shayne Campbell, Anthony Donati, Ben O’Quinn, Brett Ritchie and Ron Soucie.