SARNIA, ON - The North Bay Battalion allowed four third period goals as the Sarnia Sting battled back from a 4-2 third period deficit to win 6-5 at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena in Sarnia on Sunday afternoon.
The loss comes on the heels of two big road wins in Saginaw and Flint to start the southwestern road swing and also secured a playoff spot for the Battalion this spring.
The Troops opened the scoring as Brice Cooke was in front of the Sting net and tipped the Trevor McDowell shot which made it 1-0 Battalion only 3:06 into the game.
Just over a minute later the Battalion added to the lead when former Sarnia Sting forward Andrew Leblanc, cycled the puck down low and found Dalyn Wakely in front and he popped it home for a 2-0 lead at 4:28 for his 30th, giving him back-to-back 30-goal seasons in the OHL.
The hometown Sting responded though as Tyler Doucette beat Battalion starter Mike McIvor at 13:01 which made it 2-1.
The Battalion used the power play for its third goal of the period as Ethan Procyszyn put home a goal with the extra man to make it 3-1 Battalion at the 19:00 of the opening frame.
Sean Dougherty brought the Sting within one at 8:19 of the second which made it 3-2.
It stayed that way until early in the third when Justin Ertel scored a power play goal at 1:31 which made it 4-2 for the visitors.
However, the Sting momentum turned with former Sting Andrew Leblanc serving a hooking minor, Marko Sikic scored his 15th which made it 4-3 at 2:16 of the 3rd.
Midway through the third, it was Zach Filak who beat McIvor to make it 4-4 at 9:47.
Then, it was former Battalion forward Carter Kostuch who put the Sting up 5-4 with an unassisted tally at 11:26.
Less than 2 minutes after that it was Filak striking again on a power play which made it 6-4 Sarnia at 13:18.
The Battalion pulled within one when Owen Van Steensel jammed a puck by Sarnia goalie Nick Surzycia at 18:16 to make it 6-5.
Despite a late 6 on 4 power play with the net empty in the final minute, the Troops were unable to find the equalizer.
