Despite pulling out to an early 2-0 lead, the Sarnia Sting (7-8-2-0) fell 7-4 to the Flint Firebirds (1-16-1-0) in Flint's annual school day game on Wednesday morning.
For the Firebirds, it was their first win of the season in 18 games. Their other point, an overtime loss, also came against the Sting.
Sting defenceman Mitch Eliot scored the first two goals of the contest just 24 seconds apart early in the opening frame. Flint's Jake Durham tied the game up before the end of the opening period with two goals of his own. He went on to complete the hat trick with a late second period marker.
Anthony Salinitri and Sean Josling scored Sarnia's other goals. Salinitri's came on a shorthanded breakaway in the second period.
Sting Captain Ryan McGregor gave the Firebirds credit for a well-played game.
"I think we did some good things in that game," said McGregor. "Obviously, we got out to a good start like we wanted but just kind of fell apart as the game got late. They were bound to win eventually, it's tough it was against us but they played a good game, too.
Going into the third, we were down a goal but knew it wasn't going to be easy. They kind of had a bit of life knowing they were 20 minutes away from getting their first win so we had to come out extra strong. I thought we had a pretty good push back there but we just couldn't get it."
Each team scored one powerplay goal on four chances.
Sting goalie Ethan Langevin made 29 saves on 39 shots faced, while Luke Cavallin stopped 23 of Sarnia's 27 shots.
The Sting's next contest is coming up on Friday night in Kitchener before hosting Sudbury on Saturday.
You can hear all of the action live on CHOK.