Oct 30, 2021 | Steve McGrail | 266 views
Sting Battle Hard Against Top Teams in League and Collect a BIG W!
The Lambton Sting squad have been working hard and honing their skills and developing some chemistry with linemates as they continue to battle every weekend for points that are hard to get. The Sting have earned points in three of the past four weekends. This weekend saw the Sting square off with the top two teams in the league. First up was the Huron Perth Lakers for a Friday Night 830pm start before heading to play the Waterloo Wolves for a 245pm Saturday matinee.
Friday night in Stratford was a back and forth tight checking affair. Goalie John Chartrand was amazing in net stopping over 40 shots and giving his team a chance to win. The score was 1to0 until the final 20 seconds when Huron Perth iced the game with an empty netter to make it 2-0. The Sting played well in the 1st and 3rd period but had a few lapses and penalties in the third which almost derailed the game. The boys kept fighting back and pressing. Some great chances, close misses, and a goalpost were all cases of close but no cigar. The boys know they can beat Huron Perth and with a few breaks their fortunes may have been different. John Chartrand was outstanding in the Sting goal and deserved a better fate.
Saturday saw the Sting squad face off against the top team Waterloo Wolves, a very talented and deep team who move the puck very well. Joe Malinowski was in net ready to avenge two early season losses to Waterloo and he was up to the task early as Waterloo came out and peppered the Sting netminder while the Sting struggled
getting pucks out early. A couple clangs off the goal post and crossbar provided the wake up call needed as the Sting came to life and started to battle every shift and pressed the Wolves. It was a tight checking game. Waterloo scored first to make it 1-0 but Lambton responded quickly on a nice rush by Jace McGrail who set up Anthony Tudino (5th in League Scoring). Luke DesRoches also drew an assist on the play.
The game remained tied 1-1 as the game headed to the third. The teams traded chances and close misses but a misplayed dump in by a Waterloo D-man with just under two minutes left, resulted in a free puck that DesRoches swooped in and tucked it home for an unassisted goal and a 2-1 lead. A time-out and a pulled goalie for Waterloo could not get the equalizer as the Lambton Defensive alignment stood strong making penetration into the Sting zone difficult. A turnover recovery by McGrail ended with him banking an outlet pass off the boards to Colton Graham who iced the game hitting the yawning cage for a 3-1 lead. The upset was complete and the Sting celebrated beating a very good Waterloo Wolves team.
Joe Malinowski was peppered with over 40 shots and stood tall between the pipes for the win.
The Sting now prepare for a Thursday Game in Kitchener, Saturday vs Huron Perth and Sunday at Brantford.
Keep working hard boys.