The Sarnia Sting skated away with a convincing 5-2 win over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on Tuesday night at the Essar Centre. The Greyhounds lead the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals 2-1 after 3 games. The home team has fallen in each contest thus far.

Matt Mistele led the way for Sarnia – scoring the Sting’s first and final goals on the powerplay – en route to a big win for the visitors. Brandon Lindberg, Patrick White and Pavel Zacha each chipped in with their firsts of the series.

It was all Sting in the opening frame as they outshot the Hounds by a 13-6 margin, and led 2-0 on the scoreboard. Mistele’s powerplay marker at 13:41 was assisted by Josh Jacobs and Pavel Zacha.

Less than 5:00 later, Brandon Lindberg capitalized on a short-handed rush to give the Sting a 2-0 cushion heading into the intermission. Sam Studnicka was credited with the lone assist.

At 16:46 of period two, Patrick White made it 3-0 off the odd-man rush. Pavel Zacha made a great pass to find White alone, and he made no mistake. Jeff King was credited with the second assist on the eventual game-winning goal.

The Hounds would get one back with :15 remaining in the second period as Blake Speers registered his second of the series. Brandon Halverson and Bobby MacIntyre drew the assists.

Pavel Zacha would spoil any hope for a comeback as the Czech-national would score a key goal for the Sting, just 3:26 into the final stanza. The powerplay marker was assisted by Jakob Chychrun.

Mistele would add his second of the night with 11:36 to go in the frame. Pavel Zacha and Jordan Kyrou were awarded the helpers on the powerplay goal.

Just seconds later, Frank Pucci would get one back for the Hounds – but it was a little too late as Charlie Graham shut the door for the remainder of the third.

Game 4 of the series is slated for Thursday night at the Essar Centre. The series will return to the SSEC on Saturday April 2nd for Game 5. Tickets will go on sale tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at 9AM and will be available online here, at the SSEC Box Office, or by phone at (519) 541-1717.

Sting Notes: