The Sarnia Sting, resting several of its top players before the playoffs, closed out the regular season with a 6-2 loss in Guelph Sunday afternoon.
The Sting finishes in seventh place in the OHL Western Conference with a record of 29-32-4-3 and opens its quarterfinal playoff against Connor McDavid and the Otters in Erie Thursday night.
Game two is in Pennsylvania Friday night with games three and four at the RBC Centre Sunday night March 29 and Tuesday March 31.
Listen to all the action on 103.9 FM, 1070 AM, CHOK.
With Jakob Chychrun, Pavel Zacha and Nikita Korostelev among those not dressed Sunday, the Sting fell behind 3-1 after the first period and trailed 4-1 after 40 minutes.
Davis Brown scored in the third to reach the 20 goal mark for the season. Hayden Hodgson had the other Sting goal, his 23rd.
Justin Fazio stopped 23 of 29 shots in the Sarnia goal.
Robby Fabbri led the Storm with three goals while Swiss born Pius Suter had a goal and two assists.
With the win Guelph reclaims fourth place and home ice advantage in its first round playoff against Owen Sound.
Former Storm, Sting overager Stephen Pierog was named the game's third star.
Korostelev finishes the season as Sarnia's leading scorer with 24 goals and 53 points in 55 games.
Jordan Kyrou and Zacha finished in the top ten in OHL rookie scoring with two others in the top 20, Chychrun (11th) and Troy Lajeunesse (15th).
WESTERN CONFERENCE – QUARTER-FINAL SERIES
Series B, ERIE vs. SARNIA
Thurs., March 26 at Erie 7:00
Fri., March 27 at Erie 7:00
Sun., March 29 at Sarnia 7:05
Tues., March 31 at Sarnia 7:05
Fri., April 3 at Erie 7:00 *
Sun., April 5 at Sarnia 7:05 *
Tues., April 7 at Erie 7:00 *