The Owen Sound Attack fell behind in the first period and never found their way back in Sarnia.
Lukas Fischer scored in the third period to ice things for the Sting, who got goals from five different players in a 5-2 win over the Attack in Ontario Hockey League action Friday evening at Progressive Auto Sales Arena.
Sarnia (9-17-2-5) ended an eight-game losing streak. The Attack (9-17-2-3) missed out on winning three in a row for the first time this season.
Ruslan Karimov, Tyson Doucette, Liam Beamish and Jack O’Brien also scored for the Sting.
Landen Hookey and Pierce Mbuyi scored for the Attack.
Sarnia led 2-0 after one. Beamish opened the scoring at 7:24, deflecting a Ryan Brown point shot past Matthew Koprowski to make it 1-0.
Just over a minute later it was 2-0. The Attack had a 2-on-1 and Harry Nansi put a shot past the blocker of Nick Surzycia that rang off the post. And then a quick outlet pass and a breakaway for Doucette – he scored.
Owen Sound got within one early in the second with a short-handed goal. Jake Crawford forced a neutral zone turnover then skate up the left wing and put a low shot on goal. Surzycia made a left pad save, but the rebound kicked to Hookey, who backhanded it in to cut Sarnia’s lead to 2-1.
The Sting restored their two-goal lead just prior to the midway mark of the second. Karimov finished a pretty passing play, going backhand to forehand right near the crease and then popping it low past Koprowski.
A scrum ensued after the goal and the Attack were immediately short-handed after falling behind 3-1.
Then at 14:30, the Attack would cut the Sarnia lead to one again. Ben Cormier put a shot on goal that was topped, but Mbuyi pounced on the rebound and scored. It was the Attack rookie’s first goal since Nov. 14.
Sarnia would answer, again, before the end of the second. O’Brien snuck off the point and skated to the net and got a pass from Brown, and then fired a quick shot past the glove of Koprowski to make it 4-2 with just 2.2 seconds on the clock in the second period.
Another tussle broke out right after the Sarnia goal, and even a fight: David Bedkowski and Fischer dropped the gloves.
Once things were sorted out, the Attack ended up with the extra penalty and started the third down a man.
The Attack had two power play opportunities in the third period. One before the midway mark, the other with 5:55 to go. Neither were successful, Owen Sound finished the game 0 for 6 on the man advantage.
It was shortly leaving the penalty box that Fischer got a pass and let a shot go from the top of the circle on the left side, and beat Koprowski’s blocker to make it 5-2.
Surzycia made 19 saves in the win, while Koprowski stopped 22 taking the loss. Sarnia outshot Owen Sound 27-21 while going 0 for 5 on the power play; the Attack finished 0 for 6.
Saturday, the Attack are in Flint to face the Firebirds. Game time is 7 p.m. You can hear all the action live from the Dort Financial Center on Kia of Owen Sound-Terry’s Trailer Service Bear Radio on 560 CFOS.
NO HONEY FROM HIVE FOR BEARS THIS TIME
Friday’s loss ended a run of five straight wins for Attack teams over the Sting. Owen Sound won the first meeting between the two clubs this season, 5-2 on Nov. 6 at the Bayshore. And during the 2023-24 campaign, the Attack swept the season series against the Sting.
WRAY OUT
Newly acquired forward Masen Wray was out of the lineup in Sarnia Friday. He suffered an upper-body injury during Wednesday’s game in Guelph, blocking a shot late in the game. Wray isn’t expected to return until after the Christmas break, and is currently considered week-to-week.
BENNETT TIME
Another new addition to the Attack roster this week, goaltender Tristan Bennett is expected to make his first start Saturday when the Attack visit the Flint Firebirds.
OH GEORGE
Some news came down from Hockey Canada just prior to puck drop in Sarnia Friday evening – Attack goaltender Carter George made the World Junior team! Carter is one of three goalies on the roster, and will have the honour of playing for Canada at the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa, Ont.