The Sarnia Sting opened up a three goal lead in the third period then held on for a big 5-4 win over Niagara at the RBC Centre Saturday night.
The Sting was led by its top scorer Nikita Korostelev with a goal and two assists and rookie forward Jordan Kyrou who had two goals.
The teams traded goals in each of the first two periods.
Sarnia broke the 2-2 deadlock in the third with three straight. Defenseman Jakob Chychrun banged home a rebound on a five on three power play for his 11th of the season to give the Sting the lead. Kyrou scored the second of his two goals about six minutes later when he stopped and quickly shot on a nice individual rush to beat Niagara goaltender Brent Moran.
Less than a minute later Korostelev knocked in a loose puck from close range for his 18th of the year, giving the Sting a 5-2 lead.
The IceDogs would not go quietly however. Goals by Carter Verhaeghe and then Billy Jenkins with just under two minutes left, made it close but the visitors, despite a glorious chance in the dying seconds, could not get the tying marker.
Sting head coach Trevor Letowski.
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Justin Fazio recorded his seventh win of the season in goal for the Sting. The IceDogs held a narrow edge in shots 34-31.
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Kyrou is now ninth in OHL rookie scoring with 26 points in 49 games while Korostelev has a team leading 43 points in 42 games.
Letowski was impressed by the young line of Kyrou, Anthony Salinitri and Troy Lajeunesse.
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Sarnia (25-22-4-3) remains tied with Owen Sound for sixth place in the Western Conference. The Attack beat the Otters 5-4 in overtime in Erie.
The start of Saturday's game was pushed back about 30 minutes because the IceDogs were late arriving due to bad weather.
The win snapped a four game losing skid for the Sting who played again with six regulars out of the lineup due to injury and suspension.
The Sting is back in action Family Day Monday for a 2pm matinee against Anthony DeAngelo and the conference leading Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
Listen to all the action on 103.9 FM, 1070 AM, CHOK.