Image
File Photo

Sting lose two of three but get valuable points against the Spirit

February 2, 2026

Matthew Manza’s power play goal at 13:15 of the third period broke a 2-all tie and led the Sting to a slump-busting 4-2 win over the Saginaw Spirit before 4,152 fans at Progressive Auto Sales Arena Friday.

The win snapped Sarnia’s five game winless streak.

Manza redirected a shot from Cameron Aucoin at the right point for his first career game-winning goal in the OHL.

It was Aucoin’s second assist on the night.

The goal for Manza snapped a 17-game goal drought dating back to a two-goal performance in the Soo nearly two months ago.

Brenner Lammens, Alessandro Di Iorio and Ben Pickell, into an empty net, also scored for the Sting.

Lammens also drew an assist on the eventual winner. It was the first two-point game of his young OHL career. Lammens was credited with a game-high seven shots on goal and was chosen as the first star of the contest.

Kale Osipenko evened his record at 2-2 stopping 24 of 26 shots directed his way as the Sting outshot the visitors, 43-26.

After snapping their losing streak Friday, the Sting were on the wrong end of road games in Flint and Windsor to close out the weekend.

In Michigan, the Firebirds scored four times in the third period to break a tie and go on to a 6-3 win over the Sting.

Tyler Challenger had his first career two-goal performance for the Sting and added an assist while Brenner Lammens had a goal and an assist for the second straight game. Cameron Aucoin added a pair of assists.

All three of Sarnia’s goal were on the power play.

Kale Osinpenko made 29 saves before being replaced by Patrick Quinlan midway through the third period. Quinlan stopped both shots he faced.

On Sunday night, part of YourTV’s Hockey Day in the OHL, the Sting fell 4-1 to the Spitfires in a sleepy affair in Windsor.

Sarnia managed just 11 shots on goal and only two were considered high danger opportunities.

Ben Pickell spoiled the shutout bid when he feathered a backhand through the five hole early in the third with his career high 14th goal of the season. He had 13 in Kingston last season.

Sarnia has now lost five straight on the road and seven of its last eight overall.

The Sting are in tenth place in the Western Conference with a record of 14-29-6. They are tied in point with Erie but the Otters have two games in hand. The Sting and Otters are seven points behind Saginaw for the final playoff spot in the conference.

Sarnia is home to Flint Wednesday night.

Share This

Image
Front Page

Housing in Thedford warehouse needs MOE’s approval

June 19, 2026

The Independent A developer’ plans to build apartments in Thedford will have to wait. Robert Hewitt owns a former Grand Trunk Railway warehouse on Pearl Street and wants to create apartments upstairs. Lambton Shores council isn’t opposed, but says benzene has been found on the property. The amount is small and doesn’t affect the commercial use of the property, but,

Read More

Image
Front Page

IODE honours elementary leaders

June 19, 2026

The Independent The IODE in Petrolia presented the Margaret Stokes Award to the best all-round student at each of the elementary schools in Petrolia and area. Recipients not only had high academic standards but were active in their school and a leader in their school and their community. The students recognized from left to right are William Edgar of St.

Read More

Image
Front Page

Sarnia acquires Emerton from Barrie Colts

June 19, 2026

Barry Wright/The Independent The Sting bolstered its blueline with the acquisition of right-shot defenceman Cole Emerton from the Barrie Colts in exchange for six draft choices, including two conditional picks this week. The draft selections range from 2027-29. A former minor hockey teammate of Alessandro Di Iorio with the Vaughan Kings, Emerton had four goals and 39 points in 86

Read More

Image
Front Page

St. Clair Township projects shut out of new power contracts

June 19, 2026

IESO chooses battery storage projects over natural gas powered electricity plants Heather Wright/The Independent Mayor Jeff Agar dream of St. Clair Township becoming “the gas turbine capital of Ontario” is not going to happen. The province put out a call for large power projects in 2025, saying Ontario will need 75 per cent more electricity by 2050. Companies interested in

Read More