Sarnia Sting 2023-24 Off-Season Thread

[StingUpdates]

Still no Moses so he must be banged up or is also sick. Surzycia starts again. Same lines as last night.

Flint beats Brantford to move 1pt up on us again.

 

[StingUpdates]

Oof. One of the worst periods they've played recently. Only down 1 somehow. Love how hall got unsportsmanlike last night for taking his gloves off.

McGuire does it and??? Nothing

 

[StingUpdates]

Easton mother fricken Wainwright!! All goddamn heart in that kid. He simply wasn't being denied in OT.

I'm good if I never see Guelph again. Every game vs them is such a snooze fest. NY Islanders of the OHL.

Surzycia stellar again. Couple monster saves. Fischer was a beast tonight. So many zone denies & good, strong plays in our end.

Love having Brown out there late & he snipes it to tie it up. He had a great weekend. Crazy he only comes away with 1 pt. Hall, Lominac & Doherty with easily their best weekends. Crazy what a little confidence does so guys.

These guys simply don't give up. Awesome to see in such a young team. All of a sudden.... 3 points back of Erie.

LFG

 

[davewheeler]

Wainwright has been amazing lately... Honestly a lot of guys have been amazing lately..... I crap on Letang a lot so I've gotta give credit when it's due he's got this young team buzzing right now... Browns offensive skills are already legit ... There is a lot to like about the future. Also, another packed house I absolutely love to see it.

 

[StingUpdates]

Wainwright has been amazing lately... Honestly a lot of guys have been amazing lately..... I crap on Letang a lot so I've gotta give credit when it's due he's got this young team buzzing right now... Browns offensive skills are already legit ... There is a lot to like about the future. Also, another packed house I absolutely love to see it.

Almost worry Wainwright might get himself a contract by his OA yr if this is any indication. His speed is next level. Effort thru the roof. Offensive skills have really come along.

Confidence is oozing off of Brown offensively. So easy to see. He's trying something everytime he gets it. Gets him into trouble at times but thankfully Letang seems to be letting him do his thing. He's gonna be a real good one. Wainwright/Brown/Kostuch is gonna be one helluva fun trio the next 2 seasons. Just gotta add more high end skill around it!

 

[davewheeler]

Easton mother fricken Wainwright!! All goddamn heart in that kid. He simply wasn't being denied in OT.

I'm good if I never see Guelph again. Every game vs them is such a snooze fest. NY Islanders of the OHL.

Surzycia stellar again. Couple monster saves. Fischer was a beast tonight. So many zone denies & good, strong plays in our end.

Love having Brown out there late & he snipes it to tie it up. He had a great weekend. Crazy he only comes away with 1 pt. Hall, Lominac & Doherty with easily their best weekends. Crazy what a little confidence does so guys.

These guys simply don't give up. Awesome to see in such a young team. All of a sudden.... 3 points back of Erie.

LFG

The way Buzz and Flint are playing it very well may be Erie on the outs....

 

[StingUpdates]

The way Buzz and Flint are playing it very well may be Erie on the outs....

If there's 1 team out of those 3 to really feel it too it would be Erie. Haven't made it in years. Goaltending is horrid with Gaudreau out and he's not coming back soon. If our schedule wasn't so ridiculously tough id honestly believe 7th is more than doable.

 

[davewheeler]

If there's 1 team out of those 3 to really feel it too it would be Erie. Haven't made it in years. Goaltending is horrid with Gaudreau out and he's not coming back soon. If our schedule wasn't so ridiculously tough id honestly believe 7th is more than doable.

Erie is a confusing team... honestly Stan Butler should probably not be the coach next year... I watch Erie and they have no identity.. a decent amount of talent on that roster just kinda doing their own thing ... no structure. Butler is a fossil ...

 

[StingUpdates]

Remaining schedule for SAR ER FLT.

SAR - 16 Games - @ FLT, vs FLT, vs SSM, @ KIT, vs NB, @ NB, @ SBY, @ SSM, @ LDN, vs KGN, vs MIS, vs FLT, @ OSH, @ SSM, vs SAG, @ FLT.


FLT - 18 Games - vs SAR, @ SAR, vs WSR, @ SAG, vs BRNT, vs NB, @ WSR, vs WSR, vs LDN, vs SAG, @ KIT, vs KGN, vs SSM, @ SAR, vs WSR, vs ER, @ SSM, vs SAR.


ER - 17 Games - vs NIA, @ GUE, vs OSH, @ BRNT, vs GUE, vs KGN, @ PBO, @ KGN, @ OTT, vs OS, vs OS, vs LDN, @ NIA, vs SAG, @ FLT, @ WSR, vs KIT.

Safe to say we have far & away the hardest schedule left.

Games vs top 5 seed teams
SAR: 11
FLT: 8
ER: 6

Games vs bottom 4 seed teams
SAR: 5
FLT 9
ER: 6

 

[stingwagoner]

Amazing Solo effort in overtime last night and 2 game winners in last 2 games for wainwright. This kid will be fun next year, when gets experienced OHL players beside him. Hats off to Brown as well, scoring game tying goal to take to overtime late. Future is giving me chills and we are super short on OHL experience right now and still finding a way to get big games done.

Playoffs here we come and next 2 years might just be years of the Black and gold!
Young guys stepping their games up especially on D.
Surzycia again was a wall and clearly back to the form if not better form from beginning of the season. Sting on a heater right now keep it going boys!

 

[stinger94]

Vilmanis on a roll, now has more goals on the season for NB than he did in 30 games with us.

Hope he continues to pile em on in a deep playoff push for NB.

 

[SarniaStingFan]

Vilmanis on a roll, now has more goals on the season for NB than he did in 30 games with us.

Hope he continues to pile em on in a deep playoff push for NB.

That trade has been mutually beneficial. Vilmanis has taken his game to another level scoring 12 goals in 13 games. Looks like they finally taught him how to hit the net and it's paying off. Both LeBlanc's have been playing well too. Jacob has 8A and is a +12 in 14 games while Andrew has 11 points (3G, 8A) in 14 games.

Meanwhile Kostuch has fit in really well over here. Already more points here with 7 (4G, 3A) in 15 games than he had in North Bay with 6 points (2G, 4A) in 34 games. Looks like he'll be a key contributor for next few years.

Personally I would love it if Vilmanis/the LeBlanc's were able to win a championship in NB this season and then Kostuch helps the Sting get their first championship in the next two or three years

 

[StingUpdates]

I told everyone that would listen Vilmanis >>>>>>> Sale. Obviously I have bias but I like to think I'm not a total idiot & can evaluate talent to a certain degree. You knew the moment Sandis got some better linemates than what he had here in a rebuilding yr he'd take off. I've seen very few guys with his kind of size, speed, skill combo in the O this season.

I'm happy Seca held firm on what type of return Vilmanis should get & in the end it certainly looks like he got a great return. Obviously the twins also played apart in the return as well.

Nice to see all 3 doing well. NB might be my favorite to win the east currently & they're a big reason why.

As for us if we make it or not it's great that this group is really experiencing high intensity, tight games when it matters. Last 2 weeks have been like that & this week should be even more intense with Flint twice.

 

[SarniaStingFan]

Sarnia Sting players focus on present, not future

The Sarnia Sting see a bright future for their young team.

www.theobserver.ca

According to this article from the Sarnia observer earlier this week the Sting are optimistic Barr, Chartier, Filak, and Moses could all return next week. That would be huge for the team to get some depth back

 

[Ferda11]

Been more of a spectator then a fan this year, but a few observations from the last few weeks from my limited viewing of the team....

My mind is still baffled at the handling of the extended minuets of some of the older guys who wont be here next year are getting. Still see #9 on the top PP which will go down as one of the worst continued decisions by a Sting coaching staff in all of franchise history. That being said, Way has stepped up his game IMO the last few weeks. Still a 3rd liner tho! Someone made a comment a little bit back about wishing we had Schwindt last year at the deadline....i agree. Took a bit but he's shown what he brings to the table on a more consistent basis. A big net front presence that crashes and bangs. Love it. Wonder what he could have added to last years team over someone like Way or Anderson? Wonder if he was ever involved in any discussions with the DM and DBB trades?

Surzycia has been outstanding. Great to see after a stretch of rough games, although a lot of that has to do with the team in front of him. He has single handily won a few games for this team over the last few weeks.

Wainwright has been our best player. This guy should be L1 and top PP every game. He's a guy the Sting will rely heavily on for offense next year so makes no sense he isn't getting more mins and time on PP. Another mind boggling decision by the coaching staff.

Hurt is a stud. It was like a switch was flicked all of a sudden with him. He has been very good lately. Love the edge he plays with, especially for a smaller guy. Could be one of those players you take mid round that ends up looking like a top 2 round pick instead. High ceiling for him.

Be interesting to see how these remaining games play out. Those 4 vs Flint are huge, this weeks/weekends games in particular. By the way this team has been playing of late, you can tell they want to sneak into one of those two last playoff spots. Teams who play with desperation usually hold the upper hand in the end. We shall see which two teams are more desperate then the others between Sarnia, Erie and Flint. I don't think we end up in front of Flint by years end, but I like our chances passing Erie and that dumpster fire of a team.

 

[StingUpdates]

Been more of a spectator then a fan this year, but a few observations from the last few weeks from my limited viewing of the team....

My mind is still baffled at the handling of the extended minuets of some of the older guys who wont be here next year are getting. Still see #9 on the top PP which will go down as one of the worst continued decisions by a Sting coaching staff in all of franchise history. That being said, Way has stepped up his game IMO the last few weeks. Still a 3rd liner tho! Someone made a comment a little bit back about wishing we had Schwindt last year at the deadline....i agree. Took a bit but he's shown what he brings to the table on a more consistent basis. A big net front presence that crashes and bangs. Love it. Wonder what he could have added to last years team over someone like Way or Anderson? Wonder if he was ever involved in any discussions with the DM and DBB trades?

Surzycia has been outstanding. Great to see after a stretch of rough games, although a lot of that has to do with the team in front of him. He has single handily won a few games for this team over the last few weeks.

Wainwright has been our best player. This guy should be L1 and top PP every game. He's a guy the Sting will rely heavily on for offense next year so makes no sense he isn't getting more mins and time on PP. Another mind boggling decision by the coaching staff.

Hurt is a stud. It was like a switch was flicked all of a sudden with him. He has been very good lately. Love the edge he plays with, especially for a smaller guy. Could be one of those players you take mid round that ends up looking like a top 2 round pick instead. High ceiling for him.

Be interesting to see how these remaining games play out. Those 4 vs Flint are huge, this weeks/weekends games in particular. By the way this team has been playing of late, you can tell they want to sneak into one of those two last playoff spots. Teams who play with desperation usually hold the upper hand in the end. We shall see which two teams are more desperate then the others between Sarnia, Erie and Flint. I don't think we end up in front of Flint by years end, but I like our chances passing Erie and that dumpster fire of a team.

Been missing some of your thoughts! Haha. When they got Schwindt Seca said he's a guy they've wanted for awhile. So safe to assume they did try last yr and for whatever reason MISS didn't wanna part with him. Would've been a significant upgrade over Anderson. Give the guy credit. Coming back from AHL to a bad super young team he could be coasting. He is not. He constantly gives 100%. Gotta be a good role model for the U17s

Flint for some stupid reason spent a lot of picks at the TDL. They should have a leg up vs us. Far more established talent. But I've really been impressed by our level of effort & attention to detail last 2.5 weeks. Should be 2 really fiesty games. Hopefully they can keep their composure and not get to excited or amped up.

 

[StingUpdates]

Sarnia Sting players focus on present, not future

The Sarnia Sting see a bright future for their young team.

www.theobserver.ca

According to this article from the Sarnia observer earlier this week the Sting are optimistic Barr, Chartier, Filak, and Moses could all return next week. That would be huge for the team to get some depth back

Saw Filak both games this past weekend. Man oh man. His eye took the brunt of the damage. Totally swollen & purple. That kid takes a beating. Hasn't had the offensive yr I hoped or expected but still like him cause he leaves it all out there.

Be great to get Barr back. He was having a great rookie yr. Especially the prior 4-5 weeks before his injury. He's a natural at running a PP. Although I've really enjoyed watching bridgewater and he'd likely be sent back.

Definitely be nice having Moses. There's always such a glaring hole when he doesn't play from a energy, physicality standpoint. Love his game. Think he'd be a great playoff player.

Be curious to see how they deploy the Gs. Have a feeling Letang is about to ride surzycia for most of the season from here on out. But Chartier can change that if he also plays well when he's in

 

[stingwagoner]

Very good moves this year from DS thats for sure. Even getting young last year was good steal from Owen sound he will turn out to be a Kyrou type player. I think Fischer has been player better as well as Hurt with his toned down offense and playing big minutes against top lines. And surzycia has been a stud.
Big week coming
Wainwright had a great few weeks no doubt his work ethic/ compete/ speed hard to compare to. Glad we have him will be Big for us next season and year after

 

[StingUpdates]

Very good moves this year from DS thats for sure. Even getting young last year was good steal from Owen sound he will turn out to be a Kyrou type player. I think Fischer has been player better as well as Hurt with his toned down offense and playing big minutes against top lines. And surzycia has been a stud.
Big week coming
Wainwright had a great few weeks no doubt his work ethic/ compete/ speed hard to compare to. Glad we have him will be Big for us next season and year after

Seca has proven he & his staff know how to find players that aren't being given a shot or that they feel arent being utilized correctly & that they can turn them into good players.

Ritchie, Young, A. LeBlanc, J. LeBlanc, Moses, Hoover (short lived unfortunately) & even Way who was a total non factor in OSH & then scored 15G/14A last yr for us. All those just in the last 2.5 years.

Really good trait he seems to have. All those guys came really cheap, too so if they ever don't work out it doesn't hurt cause it doesn't cost them significant picks.

Remain a big fan of him as GM. Feel he's really done well when he's sold & when he's bought. Think hes learned some things too for when we are contending again. Hopefully at least haha.

 

[davewheeler]

Seca has proven he & his staff know how to find players that aren't being given a shot or that they feel arent being utilized correctly & that they can turn them into good players.

Ritchie, Young, A. LeBlanc, J. LeBlanc, Moses, Hoover (short lived unfortunately) & even Way who was a total non factor in OSH & then scored 15G/14A last yr for us. All those just in the last 2.5 years.

Really good trait he seems to have. All those guys came really cheap, too so if they ever don't work out it doesn't hurt cause it doesn't cost them significant picks.

Remain a big fan of him as GM. Feel he's really done well when he's sold & when he's bought. Think hes learned some things too for when we are contending again. Hopefully at least haha.

Build the team now so when it does come time to add you don't need to sell the farm... just a tweak here and there. I really do think this next 2-3-4 years for Sarnia could be really good. Just don't blow it on a one and done player. It's nonsense to trade 1st round rookies. Stick to picks only.

 

[StingUpdates]

Build the team now so when it does come time to add you don't need to sell the farm... just a tweak here and there. I really do think this next 2-3-4 years for Sarnia could be really good. Just don't blow it on a one and done player. It's nonsense to trade 1st round rookies. Stick to picks only.

Exactly. The import draft is gonna be massive. If they can smash it & come away with 2 productive, dynamic Fs that'll be absolutely huge for this team moving forward.

Won't have to spend assets to add such players. Be great if they could find another F for cheap who isn't doing much with their current team but could become solid here. Then obviously the OHL draft where u hope they get some gems.

Big summer for Seca. Still think next yr will just be ok as they'll still be so young but the conference should be much weaker so with some good additions via the drafts & maybe a trade or 2 (for somebody U18) they could maybe be solid.

 

[StingUpdates]

Well biggest game of the season (so far) goes today. 3 weeks ago I would've wanted a loss. Today they've got me fully aboard a win. Hopefully they can keep their momentum going & have a good start.

Should be a pretty intense couple games. Hopefully don't get to amped up since it's such a young group. Just keep playing like they have & good things will happen.

 

[StingUpdates]

Filak & Moses on the lineup sheet. Filak with Brown & Way. Moses with Kostuch & Wainwright.

Chartier backing up.

 

[stingwagoner]

Well biggest game of the season (so far) goes today. 3 weeks ago I would've wanted a loss. Today they've got me fully aboard a win. Hopefully they can keep their momentum going & have a good start.

Should be a pretty intense couple games. Hopefully don't get to amped up since it's such a young group. Just keep playing like they have & good things will happen.

Our hottest player still 3rd line???

 

[NBBFan]

Our hottest player still 3rd line???

My thoughts are Letang wants him facing off against a weaker line for more scoring opportunities. To that end, not sure why Way and Filak are starting unless they are playing more of a shut down role against Flints top line? I feel like every game the lines are all over the place, often juggling mid game.