J.J. Piccinich scored twice as the London Knights beat the Sting in Sarnia on New Year's Day 5-3.
The win helps the Knights maintain their lead in the OHL's Midwest Division standings. Sunday's clash was the first for Sarnia since Nikita Korostelev and Alex Black were traded to the Peterborough Petes for Nick Grima and six draft picks through 2020.
Ryan McGregor, who would have a goal and assist of his own in the game, scored first in the opening period to give the Sting a 1-0 lead. That would be the only scoring in the first 20 minutes. Alex Formenton's goal would tie the game at 2:33 in the second period for London on the power play. Jordan Kyrou helped Sarnia regain the lead at 11:32 in the frame, also on the extra-man advantage. However, Piccinich would even things up a minute and 24 seconds later so the score was knotted 2-2 at the second intermission.
Franco Sproviero would give Sarnia the lead once more once the third period got underway, scoring short-handed at 3:09 into the stanza. Less than two and a half minutes later, Sarnia would relinquish that lead for good on Owen Macdonald's equalizer. Adrian Carbonara got what would become the game-winning goal late in the third period, and Piccinich's empty-netter with 14 seconds left in regulation was the sealer.
Tyler Johnson stopped 29 of Sarnia's 32 shots to get the win between the pipes for London. Justin Fazio had 25 saves for the Sting.
The Knights head to Windsor Tuesday night to take on their rivals, the Spitfires. Sarnia hosts the Flint Firebirds on Wednesday night.