SmartStop Post-Game Recap – Season Series Tied
Following a strong battle between teams, the Steelheads fell short to the Sarnia Sting 6-2.
First Period
The Steelheads hit the road early to play a mid-week game in Sarnia. This is their second meeting of the season after the Steelheads picked up a 3-2 win against the Sting in their last match up.
After the puck dropped, it was the Sting who were able to gain possession of the puck getting chances early. Netminder Alessio Beglieri made sure to stay sharp, stopping the Sting’s chances creating a chance at the other end of the ice for the Steelheads. However, the Trout found themselves back on their heels allowing the Sting to break in their zone. Just over five minutes into the period, Stings centreman Marcus Limpar-Lantz received the puck off a tic-tac-toe play, backhanding it high on Beglieri.
Not long later, Tyson Doucette picked up the loose puck on a deflection off of a Steelheads defender, firing it in the back of the net for their second goal of the game. The Sting were not done though, as Limpar-Lantz picked up his second goal of the period beating Beglieri making it 3-0 8:58 into the period.
Down by three, the Steelheads did not give up and looked to play the game they know how to play. Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Beck collected the puck from teammate James Hardie while picking up his speed to rush into the Sting’s zone. Beck was able to get in a good shooting position, firing the puck upstairs on Benjamin Gaudreau to get his 15th goal of the season. Zander Veccia also earned an assist on the goal.
With 2:40 left in the period, the Steelheads were sent off for a hooking penalty. While short-handed, Hardie showed off his play making abilities as he broke up the Sting’s play to create a two-on-one opportunity with linemate Luca Del Bel Belluz. While speeding into the Sting’s zone, the winger sent the puck across to Del Bel Belluz, who scored the shorthanded goal. The Trout’s second goal of the period sent the Blue and White down by one to go into the second period.
Shots on Goal – 13 SAR/8 MISS
Second Period
After a high scoring first period, the Steelheads needed to set the tone early by using the momentum they picked up late in the opening frame. Both teams came into the second period creating lots of back-and-forth action, taking turns controlling possession of the puck.
The best chance of the period for the Trout came off a Sting turnover 9:23 into the period. The puck was picked up by Mason Zebeski high in the Sarnia zone leading to a shot on net by the forward. Zebeski was knocked down on the play, giving the Steelheads their first power play of the game, where Hardie had a scoring chance to tie the game. Ultimately, the score stayed even to end the frame with the Sting up 3-2.
Shots on Goal – 12 SAR/10 MISS
Third Period
The Steelheads came into the final frame looking for the equalizer, however the Sting were not going to make it easy for them. 1:30 into the period, Sarnia’s Sasha Pastujov made a wrap-around play depositing the puck scoring the Sting’s fourth goal of the game.
It did not take long for the Sting to add to their lead. Zach Filak found his teammate Lukas Fischer open at the point, and the initial shot was deflected off a player in front of the net, bouncing past Beglieri to make it 5-2. The Sting struck once more off another point shot from the Sting. This time it was from Pastujov who one-timed the puck, recording his second of the game to make it 6-2.
The Steelheads’ best chance of the period came with 11:16 into the third period, as Beck rushed into the zone and found a clear lane to go one-on-one with a Sting defender. Beck quickly got a shot off, but it was deflected just wide of the net.
The Sting were able to take control of the game for the majority of the game, giving them a 6-2 win.
Shots on Goal – 4 SAR/10 MISS
Total Shots – 29 SAR/28 MISS
Three Stars:
- Sasha Pastujov (2G, 1A)
- Marcus Limpar-Lantz (2G, 1A)
- Ty Voit (3A)
Mississauga concludes its regular season series with the Sting tied with one win each. The Steelheads will look to bounce back on Friday when they return home to take on the SOO Greyhounds before hosting the Kingston Frontenacs on Sunday for the team’s annual Toys for Tots game. You can purchase your tickets for this weekend’s games by clicking here.
