Sarnia Sting 2022-23 Season Thread

[StingUpdates]

This team man lmao. Control the game for 45-50 minutes then totally implode. Huge goal by Vilmanis.

BRUTAL turnover by Romeo for 4-4 goal. Good on Letang for stapling him to the bench. Didn't see a shift the rest of the way.

Voit is something else. 4A. Points in all 10. Leads the OHL in points. Superstar.

Sikic' best game of the year. Namestnikov was very good. Battled his ass off. Great pass by Martone for that his goal. Thought Hoover was a rock tonight. Man can he hit.

Great tilt by MacDonell also. Think that got the boys going again after it became 4-4.

Surzycia was solid for his debut. Didn't love 2nd goal but the rest were fine. Some nice stops on Dann (who didn't do much tonight).

All that matters is the W. Time to string some together.

 

[robp1219]

Wow they fell asleep in the third and greased one out. Ya this team puts in a lot of hard work cycling but they will cycle and either get a basic shot on net from far out and it’s a easy save for the goalie or they will lose the puck and not get a shot. They need to find a way to get the puck into the centre of the ice in the O zone for high danger chances. Also I’ve noticed everyone on this team takes forever to shoot, defence and forwards both, they will either be coming down on a rush or receive a pass and they will hold onto it until the goalie is all set for the shot or the defenceman or forward gets a stick on it, drives me nuts.

 

[StingUpdates]

Wow they fell asleep in the third and greased one out. Ya this team puts in a lot of hard work cycling but they will cycle and either get a basic shot on net from far out and it’s a easy save for the goalie or they will lose the puck and not get a shot. They need to find a way to get the puck into the centre of the ice in the O zone for high danger chances. Also I’ve noticed everyone on this team takes forever to shoot, defence and forwards both, they will either be coming down on a rush or receive a pass and they will hold onto it until the goalie is all set for the shot or the defenceman or forward gets a stick on it, drives me nuts.

I like how much they are getting to the net & creating scrambles. But they do need more high% shots for sure.

PP does a better job of that. Lantz is great in the middle. Voit is unbelievable at getting it thru the middle to Vilmanis too.

 

[Ferda11]

It’s to bad Vilmanis wasn’t a righty. He’d get way more prime shooting opportunities on the power play with Voit feeding him. I think shots not getting off quick enough is a fair a concern.

 

[StingUpdates]

It’s too bad Vilmanis wasn’t a righty. He’d get way more prime shooting opportunities on the power play with Voit feeding him. I think shots not getting off quick enough is a fair a concern.

Yah I think part is they keep trying to make the extra pass. Happened more than a few times.

They definitely lack those shooters who can rip it in an instant though.

I loved his (Vilmanis') game this weekend. Was fantastic. He's so strong on the puck. Wainwright's been solid but he needs a good facilitator as his C to fully unlock his game imo

First 10 games for the imports were pretty good. Lantz 4G/7A, 65% on draws, Vilmanis 3G/4A. Definitely big players for this team who should only improve with more & more experience, chemistry.

 

[Dougie Daryl Clark]

It’s too bad Vilmanis wasn’t a righty. He’d get way more prime shooting opportunities on the power play with Voit feeding him. I think shots not getting off quick enough is a fair a concern.

Buzzy's thoughts after the weekend:
Explain to me how all these so called media 'prospect experts' have Voit near the bottom of the Leafs list of prospects. This kid has magic hands and hounds the puck like a much bigger player. If he gets his off ice shit together he has a real future.
Romeo has made great leaps but is still very capable of a major brain fart at the wrist time.
Ritchie is great but holds on to the puck way too long.
MacDonell is fearless and ridiculously tough. A bit more touch around the net and watch out.
Martone is coming around nicely. Looking more confident each game.
That 2nd PP tonight is a big NO for me. The coaches looked desperate w who they had out there.
I'm good with 3 of 4 points

 

[Ferda11]

Agree, I think we are 100% in need of a big time player via trade to really round out the top 6. I do think one of the current guys fighting for those minutes now will eventually work their way into it. We really do need to start scoring more goals so even another forward coming in wouldn’t be out of the question.

 

[Savard18]

Agree, I think we are 100% in need of a big time player via trade to really round out the top 6. I do think one of the current guys fighting for those minutes now will eventually work their way into it. We really do need to start scoring more goals so even another forward coming in wouldn’t be out of the question.

Yeah. Like a Nolan Dann! Just kidding. I told you guys you were fine. I don’t think you guys are over-estimating this team’s potential. The only Sarnia Sting fan bias I’ve seen outta this board this year so far is that you’re all expecting a collapse at some point.

 

[StingUpdates]

Completely agree with all points. Ritchie has been doing that to much lately. He's awesome. but don't try to be Cale Makar every shift man. Calm it down a bit. Hopefully, such a bad blunder sticks in Romeo's head for awhile. He's at his best while keeping it simple.

Every team needs an Angus MacDonell. Heart & soul player. Future captain. As Buzzy said if the kid could just finish around the net more.. Be a dynamite player. Martone is gonna be such a stud in this league. Once he gets one I think he's gonna start rolling. He could easily have 5-6-7 already.

Voit is one of the funnest players we have ever had. What a treat it is to see him play. His edge work & vision might be unmatched in the entire league right now. He took some big bumps tonight & it didn't deter him at all. He could get almost anybody 20 goals with his passing ability. Get a proper sniper with him & Burke (who's been excellent) & it could be magic.

If Seca can go get an Arcuri/Harrison/Bloom type F this F unit would be really nice. I love how good they are down low. They really control possession & attack with a lot of speed. Their passing is strong. They simply just don't have a sharpshooter. They could have 10-15+ more goals right now if they just had more finish around the net.

I'm loving the jam this group is playing with too. They refuse to be bullied or thrown around. Probably lead the league in fights. Gonna be even chipper/nastier when Dillingham returns.

 

[robp1219]

I was at the game Friday night (first one of the year) and I like what they did with the concessions stammers station and Kyrou kitchen, thought that was cool and looked nice, I also thought the video board graphics and digital designs etc. were cool all game, abit of an upgrade on that from last year. One thing I really hope the owners/city do next is replace those old ugly maroon seats which most of them have broken and missing cup holders… put new black seats in. Also I couldn’t get over the amount of 13-18 year old kids there that just walk around the arena not even interested in the game just socializing with other teens. Those kids were going from section to section hopping over top of seats. The arena staff needs to do their job. Make them sit down in their own seat not walk around in groups and go from one section to another treating the rink like trash.

 

[StingUpdates]

So that's the first 10 games in the books. 5-4-1 record. Sit tied for 3rd in the conference, 2 points back of 1st (though WSR has 2 GIH) For sure would've liked 2 or 3 more wins (MISS, FLT & maybe shown up vs SAG lol) but they've played good hockey in 8 of the 10 games.

Played really well vs KIT, OS, SSM, MISS, FLT. Played solid vs WSR (1st time), FLT (1st time) & tonight vs NIA outside the 5 minutes in the 3rd. Played like crap vs SAG & WSR (2nd time).

They've outshot every opponent to this point. On average they've outshot teams 33-25. In total it's 328 shots for to 259 shots against. We've scored the first goal in 7 of the games. When leading after two we are 3-0. When tied after two we are 1-1-1. When trailing after two we are 1-3.

The combined record of the teams we've played is 35-19-7. As of now (it's early I know) 7 of their games came vs teams in the top half to the league.

Outside the two stinkers I've liked a lot of what I've seen. Been pleased with how the D have played, especially with Dillingham being out in 9 of 10. Pleased with the PP (outside the first 3 games where they went 0/10). Really like how they are moving the puck & supporting the puck as a team along with their physicality. Very happy with Voit, Burke, Lantz, Mast, Daviault, Wainwright. Pretty happy with Ritchie, Romeo, Hoover, Vilmanis, Martone, MacDonell, Doucette, Filak.

Want their Pk to improve a bit (10th @ 80.9%). Need to cut down odd man rushes. Need to be more discipline. Have to convert more on Grade A chances vs the elite teams. Need more depth goals, cant be all top line/PP. Been better since WSR game but cant have a stinker every 3rd or 4th game, especially on home ice.

Need more/Have more to give/More consistency from Gaudreau, Sikic & Namestnikov.

All in all I like where we are at & like the upside of this team, especially if Seca can add a scorer, or two.

 

[The Howler]

Yeah. Like a Nolan Dann! Just kidding. I told you guys you were fine. I don’t think you guys are over-estimating this team’s potential. The only Sarnia Sting fan bias I’ve seen outta this board this year so far is that you’re all expecting a collapse at some point.

WE expect a collapse because we have been here for 20+ years

 

[HkyBeegs3]

I like how much they are getting to the net & creating scrambles. But they do need more high% shots for sure.

PP does a better job of that. Lantz is great in the middle. Voit is unbelievable at getting it thru the middle to Vilmanis too.

I think Letang implementing a mixture of offensive zone set plays would help in increasing shooting %, more one timers and give and go's with the emphasis of getting shots through and screens from the point. I think this could easily be addressed over time. This team doesn't have an abundance of elite skill so focusing on shots getting thru with traffic is key.

 

[stickty111]

Buzzy's thoughts after the weekend:
Explain to me how all these so called media 'prospect experts' have Voit near the bottom of the Leafs list of prospects. This kid has magic hands and hounds the puck like a much bigger player. If he gets his off ice shit together he has a real future.
Romeo has made great leaps but is still very capable of a major brain fart at the wrist time.
Ritchie is great but holds on to the puck way too long.
MacDonell is fearless and ridiculously tough. A bit more touch around the net and watch out.
Martone is coming around nicely. Looking more confident each game.
That 2nd PP tonight is a big NO for me. The coaches looked desperate w who they had out there.
I'm good with 3 of 4 points

As a Leafs fan, are there issues? Or just a general thought?
Voit is one of my favorite Leafs prospects

 

[StingUpdates]

I think Letang implementing a mixture of offensive zone set plays would help in increasing shooting %, more one timers and give and go's with the emphasis of getting shots through and screens from the point. I think this could easily be addressed over time. This team doesn't have an abundance of elite skill so focusing on shots getting thru with traffic is key.

Completely agree. I must give Haley credit. He's running the PP & I am loving the plays they are running. A lot of seem passes, using the guys down low & really using Lantz in the middle.

Not the guy you'd expect to be overly creative but he's doing a great job at it. Hopefully can keep it up.

Also, another guy to maybe keep an eye on if Sarnia adds a scorer is Sasha Pastujov in Guelph. Scored 34 last yr. Elite shooter that would go nuts with Voit. GUE has been shockingly bad so far. Not sure he's a Letang/Seca type guy tho.

 

[Flyers 1st]

I think Letang implementing a mixture of offensive zone set plays would help in increasing shooting %, more one timers and give and go's with the emphasis of getting shots through and screens from the point. I think this could easily be addressed over time. This team doesn't have an abundance of elite skill so focusing on shots getting thru with traffic is key.

I would bet Letang already has too many "set" plays in the O zone and the players will not shoot if they think the puck needs to go to someone with more net to shoot at. They are slow dishing the puck around at times killing their own power play . No-one is capable of blasting the 1 timer slapshot from the point

 

[StingUpdates]

I would bet Letang already has too many "set" plays in the O zone and the players will not shoot if they think the puck needs to go to someone with more net to shoot at. They are slow dishing the puck around at times killing their own power play . No-one is capable of blasting the 1 timer slapshot from the point

Dillingham is honestly probably the only Dman who goes for slappers consistently. Daviault, Ritchie, Mast all prefer wristers. Which isn't the worst thing (more accurate) but it would be nice if one of them had a booming slapshot from the point.

 

[StingUpdates]

Seca on Grover who stopped 40/43 in his first start for Strathroy.

Grover is healthy now, so he’s been sent to the Strathroy to see some action.

“We have three goalies and they all need to play,” Sting general manager Dylan Seca said. “He (Grover) remains a huge part of our future. Will be back and forth.”

 

[honeydripper]

My apologies in advance for the solicitation, keep scrolling if you like.
My 8 year old daughter is a finalist for the Sting jersey design contest, and I'd appreciate your support.
Please go to #YourTeamYourJersey Contest
choose OHL-Sarnia
Annie-view-vote

You can vote 15x a day until Nov.7
She's a super fan, big crush on Benny G, this would mean the world to her.
Thanks everybody. Tell your friends.

 

[OHL4Life]

My apologies in advance for the solicitation, keep scrolling if you like.
My 8 year old daughter is a finalist for the Sting jersey design contest, and I'd appreciate your support.
Please go to #YourTeamYourJersey Contest
choose OHL-Sarnia
Annie-view-vote

You can vote 15x a day until Nov.7
She's a super fan, big crush on Benny G, this would mean the world to her.
Thanks everybody. Tell your friends.

got my vote

 

[Ferda11]

My apologies in advance for the solicitation, keep scrolling if you like.
My 8 year old daughter is a finalist for the Sting jersey design contest, and I'd appreciate your support.
Please go to #YourTeamYourJersey Contest
choose OHL-Sarnia
Annie-view-vote

You can vote 15x a day until Nov.7
She's a super fan, big crush on Benny G, this would mean the world to her.
Thanks everybody. Tell your friends.

Done and done! Good luck to your daughter!

 

[StingUpdates]

My apologies in advance for the solicitation, keep scrolling if you like.
My 8 year old daughter is a finalist for the Sting jersey design contest, and I'd appreciate your support.
Please go to #YourTeamYourJersey Contest
choose OHL-Sarnia
Annie-view-vote

You can vote 15x a day until Nov.7
She's a super fan, big crush on Benny G, this would mean the world to her.
Thanks everybody. Tell your friends.

Not fair your 8 year old has more talent & creativity than me

 

[Texcanuck]

My apologies in advance for the solicitation, keep scrolling if you like.
My 8 year old daughter is a finalist for the Sting jersey design contest, and I'd appreciate your support.
Please go to #YourTeamYourJersey Contest
choose OHL-Sarnia
Annie-view-vote

You can vote 15x a day until Nov.7
She's a super fan, big crush on Benny G, this would mean the world to her.
Thanks everybody. Tell your friends.

Cute!!!
I’m in…

 

[SarniaStingFan]

My apologies in advance for the solicitation, keep scrolling if you like.
My 8 year old daughter is a finalist for the Sting jersey design contest, and I'd appreciate your support.
Please go to #YourTeamYourJersey Contest
choose OHL-Sarnia
Annie-view-vote

You can vote 15x a day until Nov.7
She's a super fan, big crush on Benny G, this would mean the world to her.
Thanks everybody. Tell your friends.

She has my vote!

 

[lazyboy]

My apologies in advance for the solicitation, keep scrolling if you like.
My 8 year old daughter is a finalist for the Sting jersey design contest, and I'd appreciate your support.
Please go to #YourTeamYourJersey Contest
choose OHL-Sarnia
Annie-view-vote

You can vote 15x a day until Nov.7
She's a super fan, big crush on Benny G, this would mean the world to her.
Thanks everybody. Tell your friends.

#teamAnnie