Anthony DeAngelo's goal 4:28 into the game brought stuffed toys raining down and the Sting would go on for a thrilling 7-6 shootout win over Sault Ste. Marie in the annual Teddy Bear Toss game Sunday.
2,605 plush toys were collected for needy kids over the holidays, bringing the total over the 17-year history of the event to nearly 48,000.
DeAngelo's goal would tie the game in a wild first period that saw the Sting open a 4-2 lead over the West Division leading Greyhounds.
The Sting would score three goals in a span of less than three minutes after Michael Bunting took a five minute major penalty for interference and a game misconduct for driving Josh Chapman awkwardly into the boards. Chapman laid motionless on the ice for a number of minutes before being helped off. Both he and Hayden Hodgson sustained injuries in the game and did not return.
The Soo would quickly tie the game in the second before rookie Jordan Kyrou (3) gave the Sting a 5-4 lead after 40 minutes.
The Greyhounds were up 6-5 late in the game when Patrick White (7) scored unassisted on a turnover with less than three minutes to go to send the game to overtime.
Nikita Korostelev scored the only goal in the shootout and Taylor Dupuis stopped all three Greyhound shooters for the win with the help of the goal post on the final attempt by Sergey Tolchinsky.
Sarnia was outshot 41-20 with Brandon Halverson taking over for Joseph Raaymakers halfway through the first.
Korostelev also had three assists during the game and was named first star.
The other Sting goals were scored by Pavel Zacha (9), Davis Brown (9) and Stephen Pierog (5).
3,408 enthusiastic fans were in attendance.
Sarnia (15-12-1-1) has opened up a six point lead over Saginaw in second place in the division.
The Sting is back in action at home to the London Knights Thursday, visits Kitchener Friday and hosts Peterborough Saturday.
Listen to all the action on 103.9 FM, 1070 AM CHOK.
