Cliff Pu of the London Knights. (Photo courtesy of Terry Wilson via OHL Images)Cliff Pu of the London Knights. (Photo courtesy of Terry Wilson via OHL Images)
London

Knights Contain the Sting 4-2

The London Knights finished 2017 on an upswing with a 4-2 win over the Sting in Sarnia Sunday afternoon.

Cliff Pu scored two late goals to complete the win for the Knights, who overcame a slow start to the season to finish 18-14-2-1 for 39 points and third place in the OHL Midwest Division.

The Sting finish the calendar year in second place in the West Division with 52 points, for a 25-9-2 record.

Anthony Salinitri opened the scoring for Sarnia in the first period with his 16th goal of the year. Harrison Cottam tied the game for London before the first intermission, his second score of the season.

Jordan Ernst scored the middle frame's only goal to put the Sting ahead 2-1 after 40 minutes of play.

The Knights tied the game at 6:06 of the third period on Sam Miletic's 12th goal of the year.

The game took a turn for the Sting when Franco Sproviero was called with 1:22 left in regulation for hooking. It was a call that Sting coach Derian Hatcher didn't like and didn't think was necessary.

"It was a joke, to be honest with you," says Hatcher. "I think the referee should be fined. The OHL should be embarrassed."

With the power play, Pu put London in the lead with his first goal. Sting goalie Justin Fazio was pulled for the extra attacker and Pu took advantage, scoring an empty-netter with 14 seconds left in the contest.

Fazio stopped 26 shots out of 29 attempts. Jordan Kooy had 33 saves in net for the Knights.

The two teams go at it again on New Year's Day, when the scene shifts to Budweiser Gardens for a 4pm start.

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