Nicholas Caamano scored a hat trick to power the Flint Firebirds (7-11-2-0) to a 5-3 win over the Sarnia Sting (16-4-1-0) in Wednesday's school day game in Flint.
Ryan Moore opened the scoring for the Firebirds just 6:47 into the first period to give his team an early lead. Ryan McGregor and Curtis Egert scored goals just under a minute apart to put the Sting up 2-1 after the first period.
Jacob Collins' first goal of the season tied the contest 2-2 at the 16:26 mark of the second frame.
Caamano and Drake Rymsha exchanged quick goals midway through the third. Caamano scored the game winner with just under three minutes remaining, and sealed the win for the Firebirds with an empty netter. He now has 11 goals on the campaign.
The Sting struggled on the powerplay, failing to score on five chances. Sting goalie Aidan Hughes stopped 31 of 35 shots against, while Flint's Garrett Forrest turned aside 33 of 36 Sting shots.
Despite the loss, the Sting remain atop the Ontario Hockey League standings with 33 points, but the Sault Greyhounds sit just one back.
Sarnia is back in action on Friday night at home to the Windsor Spitfires, and in Guelph Sunday afternoon.
You can hear all of the action live on 103.9FM and 1070AM CHOK.