The Sarnia Sting posted a solid 5-2 win over West Division rival Plymouth in a chippy game at the RBC Centre Friday night but injuries continue to mount.
Overage forward and Alternate Captain Stephen Pierog led the attack with three assists including a beautiful set up of Davis Brown to open the scoring less than three minutes into the game.
Sarnia led 3-1 after the opening period on goals by Jordan Kyrou on the power play and Anthony Salinitri's first since coming to the Sting in the trade that sent Anthony DeAngelo to Sault Ste. Marie.
Kyrou also assisted on Salinitri's goal.
In the second period Josh Defarias recorded his first OHL point when his perfect pass sent Alex Renaud in alone for a pretty goal.
Defarias was called upon to play forward with the Sting again playing with a very short bench.
Pavel Zacha took a slash to the arm in the second period and did not return and Noah Bushnell had two spirited fights and was handed a game misconduct.
The Sting was already without Brandon Lindberg due to sickness and Troy Lajeunesse, Nikita Korostelev, Patrick White and Jeff King due to injury.
Goaltender Justin Fazio also did not dress with Taylor Dupuis being backed up by Steven Taylor.
Rookie Jakob Chychrun's ninth goal of the year on the power play extended the Sting lead to 5-1 but Connor Sills scored on a turnover in the last minute to make it 5-2 after 40 minutes.
There was no scoring in the third.
Sarnia outshot the Whalers 46-31 before an enthusiastic Silverstick bolstered crowd of over 3,300.
Dupuis was again solid throughout, recording his 16th win of the season.
The Sting (22-15-3-2) is now tied with Guelph for 4th place in the Western Conference heading into London Saturday night for another tilt with the Knights.
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