Travis Konecny in action against the Flint Firebirds (Photo courtesy of Metcalfe Photography)Travis Konecny in action against the Flint Firebirds (Photo courtesy of Metcalfe Photography)
Sarnia

Sting Beat Birds Again

The Sarnia Sting swept both ends of a home-and-home series with the Firebirds, winning 5-2 in Flint, Michigan Saturday night.

Sarnia jumped out in front early when Travis Konecny scored before the game was a minute old on a stretch pass from Jakob Chychrun. Konecny would add his second of the game, 16th of the season, later in the first to give the Sting a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.

As was the case in Friday night's 4-3 win in Sarnia, the Sting capitalized on the power play in the second period to secure the win. Newly minted captain Sam Studnicka scored his 19th of the year from Chychrun on the first half of a four minute power play. Pavel Zacha fired home his 21st with assists to Matt Mistele and Konecny on the second power play to open up a 4-1 lead.

Defenceman Alex Peters had been assessed a double minor for high sticking Konecny.

Finish defenceman Vili Saarijarvi scored his third goal in two games against the Sting to make it 4-2 but Jordan Kyrou knocked in a rebound off a Mistele backhand, for his tenth of the season, to restore Sarnia's three goal lead before the end of the second.

There would be no scoring in the third as the Sting defended well including killing three minor penalties.

Justin Fazio stopped 27 of 29 shots for his 19th win of the year. Brent Moran allowed all five Sting goals on 22 shots and was replaced by Matthew Menna who blocked all ten shots he faced in the third.

Konecny was named the game's first star. Since being acquired by the Sting at the trade deadline, the Clachan, Ontario native has 20 points in 11 games including nine goals.

Studnicka's goal was the 100th point of his OHL career.

Sarnia heads into Windsor for a 1pm showdown Sunday against the West Division leading Spitfires.

The Sting (26-14-5-1) still trail Windsor by seven points after the Spits thumped the visiting London Knights 8-3 Saturday.

Listen to all the Sting action on 103.9 FM, 1070 AM CHOK.

Read More Local Stories