Kole Sherwood's shot that deflected off a Sarnia defender proved to be the game winner as the visiting Flint Firebirds edged the Sting 3-2 in overtime Thursday night.
After playing to a 2-2 tie through 40 minutes, Sting goaltender Justin Fazio made a couple of sparkling game-saving stops during a scoreless third to send the game into extra time. Fazio was named the game's first star with the Sting again being outshot 34-21.
Sarnia got on the board first when Ryan McGregor's quick shot squeezed through the pads of Connor Hicks less than three minutes into the game. Ryan Moore and Sherwood responded with goals less than two minutes apart, giving the Firebirds a 2-1 lead after the first period.
The Sting tied the game six minutes into the second when Jordan Kyrou tipped home a perfect pass from Kevin Spinozzi on an odd-man rush.
Sarnia's leading goal scorer Nikita Korostelev was not in the Sting lineup with a crowd of 2,717 on hand at Progressive Auto Sales Arena. Korostelev will be joining Russia's selection camp for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championship.
The Sting (16-12-4) have now lost three straight and are just two points ahead of 4th place Flint in the OHL West Division.
The team has two games on the road before the Christmas break, at Saginaw Saturday night and in Sault Ste. Marie Sunday afternoon. Listen to all the action on 103.9 FM, 1070 AM CHOK.