Jonathan Maillet For the Journal
The Sarnia Sting sent fans home happy Friday night at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena.Sarnia’s offense was on display, downing the Windsor Spitfires 8-2 in front of 4,199 fans for the 2023-2024 season home opener.
Nick Surzycia made 31 saves in his first win of the season and was named the games 2nd star. Sandis Vilamnis was the 1st star with three assists, while Tyson Doucette rounded out the three stars scoring twice and adding an assist.
The Spitfires jumped out to a quick lead, scoring just 41 seconds into the game, with Liam Greentree picking up his first of the season.
Sarnia would respond with four goals before the end of the first period. Lukas Fischer, Mitch Young and Tyson Doucette all scored their first goals, while CHL Import pick Roman Kukumberg scored his first career OHL goal, to push the Sting lead to 4-1.
Sarnia would continue to fill the net in the second period. Zach Filak and Marko Sikic scored, Sting rookie Dennis Lominac would pick up an assist on Sikic’s goal for his first career OHL point. Lominac would then score his first career goal minutes later to put the Sting up 7-1. Hughston Hurt picked up his first career point as well with an assist on Lominac’s goal.
Sarnia would hold on in the third, giving up a goal midway through the third period, but it would be too little too late. Doucette would score late in the third, his second of the game as the Sting won 8-2.
Sarnia natives Tanner Winegard and Jack Nesbit both made their OHL debuts with the Windsor Spitfires.
Sarnia special teams went one-for-two on the powerplay, while Windsor was one-for-seven.
Sting now head to Saginaw to take on the Spirit Saturday night, puck drops at 7:05 p.m.