Justin Fazio makes a save against the Barrie Colts. (Metcalfe Photography)Justin Fazio makes a save against the Barrie Colts. (Metcalfe Photography)
Sarnia

Fazio Backstops Sting To Fourth Straight Win

Justin Fazio made 31 saves as the Sarnia Sting beat the visiting Barrie Colts 4-1 Friday night.

Over half of those saves came in the second period when Fazio turned aside all 17 shots he faced. He was instrumental in Sarnia's penalty killing efforts, as the Sting successfully denied eight Barrie power plays. That boosts their power killing percentage to 93.5%, fourth best in the Ontario Hockey League.

Sarnia also went one for five on the power play, Assistant Coach Brad Staubitz says their specials teams really helped them Friday night.

"That many penalties kind of break up the game but we did a good job on the kill, and got some opportunities on the power play," says Staubitz. "A lot of momentum swings come on the power play and penalty kill, and that helped tonight, but we have to keep working hard and play well at even strength too."

He says Fazio was great in net once again.

"I thought he played a fantastic game, our penalty kill was good but you have to attribute a lot of that to him, he came up with some big saves when we had break downs. It was a good goalie battle on both sides and it was nice to see Fazio battle the whole way through."

Adam Ruzicka opened the scoring with his first of two goals just over a minute into the contest. That follows up a three point effort from the Calgary Flames prospect Wednesday night in Owen Sound. He now has six goals in six games.

Jordan Ernst celebrates a 4-1 win over the Barrie Colts. (Metcalfe Photography)

Jordan Ernst also kept up his strong start to the season, scoring his sixth in as many games during the second period.

Theo Calvas helped the Sting build a three goal lead for Sarnia early in the third. Calvas, who leads the league in plus-minus with a plus-ten rating, says he takes pride in the defensive side of the game.

"I make it a big goal of mind to focus on that side of the game, it's always been a bit of a passion for me, I think that's why it's translated to a good plus-minus to start the season. For me, it's always defence first, and offence comes second."

First round pick Jamieson Rees made his OHL debut after missing the first part of the season with a leg injury he suffered at Hockey Canada's summer development camp.

There were 2,439 fans in attendance at Progressive Auto Sales Arena as the Sting recognized local Olympian Derek Drouin prior to puck drop. He also met with fans and signed autographs during the first intermission.

The Sting are off until Monday afternoon when they host the Hamilton Bulldogs for a Thanksgiving matinee.

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