The Sting was stunned by an Owen Sound counterattack Friday night at the RBC Centre.
Sarnia blew a four goal second period lead, losing 8-5 to the team its trying to catch in the OHL Western Conference.
The Sting was up 5-1 midway through the game but the Attack roared back with seven straight goals including six unanswered in the third, two in an empty net with Taylor Dupuis pulled for an extra attacker.
Erik Bradford had a goal and four assists and Santino Centorame had four helpers to lead the visitors.
Sarnia led 2-1 after the first period on goals by Nikita Korostelev, his 19th and Jakob Chychrun's 13th of the season.
The Sting looked like it was going to run away with the game in the second period on three straight goals by Anthony Salinitri (7), Daniel Nikandrov (15) and Hayden Hodgson (18). Nikandrov also had two assists.
Head Coach Trevor Letowski called the collapse embarrassing.
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The Attack replaced goaltender Michael McNiven with Jack Flinn and the comeback began in the last minute of the second when the puck deflected in off Sting forward Stephen Pierog's skate in front of Dupuis.
Owen Sound capitalized on two power plays early in the third and got the winning goal with just over three minutes left on a glaring Sting turnover.
The Attack held the edge in shots 34-30.
The Sting's lineup, depleted much of the season due to injury and suspension, was bolstered by the return of Pavel Zacha, Patrick White and Josh Defarias.
Sarnia (25-24-4-3) falls four points behind sixth place Owen Sound and has an eight point lead over Saginaw and Windsor who are tied for the 8th and final playoff spot.
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The Sting will try to regroup in Plymouth Saturday night and returns to the RBC Centre Sunday to host the London Knights at 4:05pm.
Listen to all the action on 103.9 FM, 1070 AM, CHOK.