Sarnia Sting 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[StingUpdates]

Well I mentioned in my predictions there's usually 1 disaster out of nowhere.. think one might be emerging in Windsor.. Yeesh.

If we can keep this level of effort up & continue to get solid goaltending + get healthier making the playoffs becomes a lot more of a possibility.

Wouldn't surprise me if SAR/KIT/FLT/ER battle all yr. Erie I think should be a touch better, but let's see if Ben keeps up his play especially vs non NIA/WSR teams lol.

So early but if some of our guys stay close to this level of play it will be interesting to see if they gain any traction from contenders. Doucette, LeBlanc's, Filak, Vilmanis.

Im pretty torn on if I'd wanna trade the 4 outside Vilmanis. I do wanna be solid next yr. They'd all be a big apart of that (obviously one would be dealt as 4th OA). Hopefully it's a yr where teams overpay at the deadline. Make it easier to part with one of them if it's a great return.

 

[davewheeler]

Was just checking in on some of the guys from last year and from all indications Belluz has been a healthy scratch these first 2 games for Cleveland .... Sarnia conveniently has an O.A spot open on it's roster after moving ben.... If there is one guy who would get send back it would be Belluz. Sarnia has had some of the worst luck ever with guys not returning. This would be a major bonus.

 

[robp1219]

Was just checking in on some of the guys from last year and from all indications Belluz has been a healthy scratch these first 2 games for Cleveland .... Sarnia conveniently has an O.A spot open on it's roster after moving ben.... If there is one guy who would get send back it would be Belluz. Sarnia has had some of the worst luck ever with guys not returning. This would be a major bonus.

It would be nice but I can’t see it happening.

 

[StingUpdates]

Oh that would be nice. Not gonna hold my breath. We always (always) seem to get the short end of the stick with that stuff.

 

[SarniaStingFan]

Doucette
2022-2023: 58GP, 4G, 4A = 8 Points
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2023-2024: 7GP, 6G, 3A = 9 Points

Young
2022-2023: 28GP, 0G, 3A = 3 Points
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2023-2024: 7GP, 3G, 4A = 7 Points

Moses
2022-2023: 35GP, 2G/2A = 4 Points
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2023-2024: 7GP, 3G/2A = 5 Points

Don't expect them to keep up this pace, but Doucette, Young & Moses have already surpassed there season totals from last year in just 7 games.

All 3 have been great. Doucette been flying every game. Really using his speed. Can always count on him giving 100% too. He was such a trooper last yr it's been nice to see him rewarded early on. Easy to write him off as an OA option next yr but maybe we gotta pump the brakes with that. He was written off for making the league (twice) & we see where he is now.

Young as we've talked about has been really good. Like really really good. Moving the puck extremely well, joining the rush a ton & been rather solid defensively. Ritchie 2.0?

Moses has been such a pleasant surprise. Kid can absolutely fly & he gives it all every shift. Great on the PK & forecheck. He's been noticeable every game. If he can keep working on his shot & consistency with his hands we might have something here. Got the size, speed, effort & knows where to go to score.

The cost of getting these 3? A 6th & a 12th.

When you said, "He was written off for making the league (twice) & we see where he is now." about Doucette it reminded of a key player from last year, Nolan Burke

 

[StingUpdates]

When you said, "He was written off for making the league (twice) & we see where he is now." about Doucette it reminded of a key player from last year, Nolan Burke

Wouldn't that be nice if he became another Burke? Haha. He certainly has the speed. Feels like at least twice a game if not more he gets it going down the wing & absolute burns for a good chance. He has a legit shot, too.

 

[StingUpdates]

With Wainwright & Hall back soon the depth of this team honestly isn't bad.. I'd like to see something like this~

Moses-Wainwright-Vilmanis
- Great speed & size with this trio. 12&22 had great chemistry last yr & Moses can be the hitting, forechecking & net front guy.

Brown-Sikic-Doucette
- Again great speed. They'd have Dmen reeling off the rush constantly. Brown silky hands, Sikic has been a bulldozer going down the middle so far & Doucette can fly & has a good shot. All 3 have good sticks defensively, too.

LeBlanc-Filak-Kukumberg
- This would be a pretty darn good 3rd line! All 3 are strong on the puck, good downlow & create chaos around the net.

Hall-Way-Lominac/Doherty
- Wouldn't expect much offense from this line, but w/Hall, Way you get two big, strong, physical Cs who are really strong along the boards & in the DZone then whoever on RW adds some speed, skill.

Wouldn't be surprised if somebody (Sikic or Filak) move to wing & these lines are way off, but i think this would give us legitimate depth. With how they've started & looked i wouldn't say it's crazy to want/see six or seven 20-goal guys (Wainwright, Vilmanis, Sikic, Doucette, Filak, LeBlanc) & that's leaving Brown & Kukumberg out who could definitely get into the high-teens.

While Moses, Way, Hall are energetic, physical, reliable 2way guys. It's early & Doucette, Moses might fall off a cliff offensively, but if they don't or even just stay somewhat close to what they're doing maybe scoring won't be as big an issue. Still won't be great, but maybe average. Especially with Fischer, Young & J. LeBlanc chipping in on D.

Add in some solid goaltending at least from Surzycia (TBD on Chartier) & maybe this team can finish higher than 8th/9th. Certainly don't look overmatched by FLT/ER/WSR/KIT & even GUE if Potrais makes the NHL on paper.

Ahh dammit I'm getting my hopes up (on a much lesser scale than last yr lol).. let's see how they do over the rest of the month. NIA/ER/KIT/WSR/SAG/NIA. 6 games. 5 very winnable & SAG, but we played them tight & have Ws over SSM/LDN. Can we go 4-2? If we did we'd exit OCT 8-5.

 

[Ferda11]

With Wainwright & Hall back soon the depth of this team honestly isn't bad.. I'd like to see something like this~

Moses-Wainwright-Vilmanis
- Great speed & size with this trio. 12&22 had great chemistry last yr & Moses can be the hitting, forechecking & net front guy.

Brown-Sikic-Doucette
- Again great speed. They'd have Dmen reeling off the rush constantly. Brown silky hands, Sikic has been a bulldozer going down the middle so far & Doucette can fly & has a good shot. All 3 have good sticks defensively, too.

LeBlanc-Filak-Kukumberg
- This would be a pretty darn good 3rd line! All 3 are strong on the puck, good downlow & create chaos around the net.

Hall-Way-Lominac/Doherty
- Wouldn't expect much offense from this line, but w/Hall, Way you get two big, strong, physical Cs who are really strong along the boards & in the DZone then whoever on RW adds some speed, skill.

Wouldn't be surprised if somebody (Sikic or Filak) move to wing & these lines are way off, but i think this would give us legitimate depth. With how they've started & looked i wouldn't say it's crazy to want/see six or seven 20-goal guys (Wainwright, Vilmanis, Sikic, Doucette, Filak, LeBlanc) & that's leaving Brown & Kukumberg out who could definitely get into the high-teens.

While Moses, Way, Hall are energetic, physical, reliable 2way guys. It's early & Doucette, Moses might fall off a cliff offensively, but if they don't or even just stay somewhat close to what they're doing maybe scoring won't be as big an issue. Still won't be great, but maybe average. Especially with Fischer, Young & J. LeBlanc chipping in on D.

Add in some solid goaltending at least from Surzycia (TBD on Chartier) & maybe this team can finish higher than 8th/9th. Certainly don't look overmatched by FLT/ER/WSR/KIT & even GUE if Potrais makes the NHL on paper.

Ahh dammit I'm getting my hopes up (on a much lesser scale than last yr lol).. let's see how they do over the rest of the month. NIA/ER/KIT/WSR/SAG/NIA. 6 games. 5 very winnable & SAG, but we played them tight & have Ws over SSM/LDN. Can we go 4-2? If we did we'd exit OCT 8-5.

Love the line combos, in full agreement with ya there.

As for the remaining schedule, 4-2 would be fantastic. Kitchener is one of the hottest teams in the league right now and are putting up some impressive offensive numbers. They made us look like a tyke team a few weeks ago, so I wouldn't be betting on that game as winnable at this time. Especially a Tuesday night game in KIT to boot. Feel like that game will be the ugliest out of the 6 listed for us. Hell, I think I like our chances VS SAG better at this time. This Sting team plays higher rated teams so much better then they play the lower rated teams.

 

[robp1219]

Ben Lalkin looking good in Tier 2 Junior A for the Markham Royals. He had 41 points in 37 games last year, and this year he has 29 points in 13 games so far. He’s still just 18 years old. Leads the league in goals and points.

 

[hockeylegend11]

Ben Lalkin looking good in Tier 2 Junior A for the Markham Royals. He had 41 points in 37 games last year, and this year he has 29 points in 13 games so far. He’s still just 18 years old. Leads the league in goals and points.

Does Sarnia still own his rights, was he at camp this year,I know he didn't play in any exhibition games with Sarnia,him being 18 years old was probably waived and not claimed, just wonder if he is still part of their 50 +3 player list or a free agent.
You are correct real good numbers in a good JrB league.

 

[robp1219]

Does Sarnia still own his rights, was he at camp this year,I know he didn't play in any exhibition games with Sarnia,him being 18 years old was probably waived and not claimed, just wonder if he is still part of their 50 +3 player list or a free agent.
You are correct real good numbers in a good JrB league.

I think he might have been waived he has played 28 games with the sting. He probably wants another shot at the OHL now, he can’t go the NCAA route anymore.

 

[StingUpdates]

Good for him. Doubt we'd see him here. For one can't see him wanting to be here considering how it went & clearly we weren't big fans.

Interesting to see Luecke is with the team. Was apart of the Boston pizza meet thing tonight. Wonder if he gets in some games soon. Hasn't played anywhere yet so could be hurt & is rehabbing it here also.

When 10&12 return they're already gonna have 14Fs. If he stays 15. I know they love having rookies around the team & practicing vs OHL players, but Sim should be sent down & Luecke. Let Doherty/Lominac alternate 12th F.

 

[Ferda11]

Good for him. Doubt we'd see him here. For one can't see him wanting to be here considering how it went & clearly we weren't big fans.

Interesting to see Luecke is with the team. Was apart of the Boston pizza meet thing tonight. Wonder if he gets in some games soon. Hasn't played anywhere yet so could be hurt & is rehabbing it here also.

When 10&12 return they're already gonna have 14Fs. If he stays 15. I know they love having rookies around the team & practicing vs OHL players, but Sim should be sent down & Luecke. Let Doherty/Lominac alternate 12th F.

I've liked the play of Lominac. I wasn't the biggest fan at first but he's been looking a bit more comfortable out there as the games go. Great wheels. I feel like I haven't seen nearly enough of Doherty to get a solid understanding of what he's capable of. We've talked about it before, but Letang seems to sit him more than anyone when dressed, even when we go with 11 F's, which drives me bonkers!

With Hall and Wainwright on the way back soon, and with the way Letang has handled Doherty in particular, I wonder if maybe we see him sent down, released or possibly moved? I guess a log jam up front ain't a bad problem to have!

 

[StingUpdates]

I've liked the play of Lominac. I wasn't the biggest fan at first but he's been looking a bit more comfortable out there as the games go. Great wheels. I feel like I haven't seen nearly enough of Doherty to get a solid understanding of what he's capable of. We've talked about it before, but Letang seems to sit him more than anyone when dressed, even when we go with 11 F's, which drives me bonkers!

With Hall and Wainwright on the way back soon, and with the way Letang has handled Doherty in particular, I wonder if maybe we see him sent down, released or possibly moved? I guess a log jam up front ain't a bad problem to have!

I'd like to see Doherty get a legit chance before doing that, but clearly Letang isn't a fan. Wouldn't be happy if they released him or traded him for nothing. He had a fine pre season & started with 2A in 2GP playing line 3. Since been L4 & maybe 10 minutes a game.

Great skater with solid skills. Turns it over to much which is probably why Letang doesn't trust him but he's been the most frustrating one to watch with how he's handled for me. Idk what they do.

I like Lominac too. Wish he'd shoot more, especially considering that was supposed to be his best trait, but he skates well, battles hard & clearly has skill he just needs to find the right spots to try stuff which will come. Huge jump in level of play for him & he's been getting better each week. I always forget he's just 17 cause usually UFA signings are 18 or 19.

 

[AttackBeacher]

I'd like to see Doherty get a legit chance before doing that, but clearly Letang isn't a fan. Wouldn't be happy if they released him or traded him for nothing. He had a fine pre season & started with 2A in 2GP playing line 3. Since been L4 & maybe 10 minutes a game.

Great skater with solid skills. Turns it over to much which is probably why Letang doesn't trust him but he's been the most frustrating one to watch with how he's handled for me. Idk what they do.

I like Lominac too. Wish he'd shoot more, especially considering that was supposed to be his best trait, but he skates well, battles hard & clearly has skill he just needs to find the right spots to try stuff which will come. Huge jump in level of play for him & he's been getting better each week. I always forget he's just 17 cause usually UFA signings are 18 or 19.

Letang had a bit of a reputation in Owen Sound in not loving to play younger players and preferring some lower skilled but older guys. This year he may not have as many options, but I'm curious if that is still a thing in Sarnia?

 

[StingUpdates]

Letang had a bit of a reputation in Owen Sound in not loving to play younger players and preferring some lower skilled but older guys. This year he may not have as many options, but I'm curious if that is still a thing in Sarnia?

It's mainly just Doherty. Brown (our 1st rounder) is on the 2nd line & PP unit. Lominac was given a chance on our top line for 2 weekends. Didn't work so he got moved to B6.

On D he's been playing the rookies (Hurt, Barr) quite a lot. Especially Hurt. He definitely likes his vets though, haha. Especially in crunch time.

 

[LDN]

Culture has been shifted in Sarnia. Gonna be a tough playoff team

 

[rve24]

Letang had a bit of a reputation in Owen Sound in not loving to play younger players and preferring some lower skilled but older guys. This year he may not have as many options, but I'm curious if that is still a thing in Sarnia?

That's very common for most coaches at this level.

 

[StingUpdates]

Culture has been shifted in Sarnia. Gonna be a tough playoff team

Certainly more structure from the top down, but only 3 weeks in. Took Sarnia till JAN last yr to take off. See where we are & how we look in a month, 2 months etc.

Definitely have more confidence in Seca, Letang & everyone else (scouts, staff etc) than maybe anyone else we've had before. Least since hunter lol.

 

[RangerNation]

Hey sting fans, I'll be getting tickets to the Sunday game in December against Kitchener. I'll have a 1.5 year old with me. Is there a section that is better suited to families, or easy access to washrooms? Trying to pre plan now! Thanks!

 

[StingUpdates]

Hey sting fans, I'll be getting tickets to the Sunday game in December against Kitchener. I'll have a 1.5 year old with me. Is there a section that is better suited to families, or easy access to washrooms? Trying to pre plan now! Thanks!

I'm not 100% sure but I do believe that's the teddy bear toss game. So I'd purchase pretty early. One of the games that's soldout. There's one of each (male/female) behind section 120.

Having a brain fart but I think there's one of each between sections 101 & 104.

Then at the opposite end I believe there's one around 111/112 & one around 113/114. Can't remember which one is which tho for gender.

There's very few roudy fans here haha. Obviously always a few bad apples but anywhere should be fine.

Website also says

*Children 3-years of age and under require no ticket upon entry However if the child requires a seat they will need to hold a ticket.

$8 Sunday Series!
Tickets for kids 12 years of age and under are just $8.00 (plus HST) for all Sunday Sting home games.

 

[Texcanuck]

Hey sting fans, I'll be getting tickets to the Sunday game in December against Kitchener. I'll have a 1.5 year old with me. Is there a section that is better suited to families, or easy access to washrooms? Trying to pre plan now! Thanks!

100% it IS the teddy Bear Toss game. Seats going fast, so don’t wait too long.
If you don’t mind watching from the end of the rink (I prefer it, myself), there’s a family/handicap washroom right behind section 113. If you go on the sting website and look on the menu under “tickets”, pull up the seat map. Map shows washrooms, but the family washroom is between Gate 3 and “kyrou’s corner” snack bar. Top row (13) in sections 112 & 113 is easy in & out, but mesh between you & the ice - which makes it harder to toss your bear…

 

[RangerNation]

I'm not 100% sure but I do believe that's the teddy bear toss game. So I'd purchase pretty early. One of the games that's soldout. There's one of each (male/female) behind section 120.

Having a brain fart but I think there's one of each between sections 101 & 104.

Then at the opposite end I believe there's one around 111/112 & one around 113/114. Can't remember which one is which tho for gender.

There's very few roudy fans here haha. Obviously always a few bad apples but anywhere should be fine.

Website also says

*Children 3-years of age and under require no ticket upon entry However if the child requires a seat they will need to hold a ticket.

$8 Sunday Series!
Tickets for kids 12 years of age and under are just $8.00 (plus HST) for all Sunday Sting home games.

100% it IS the teddy Bear Toss game. Seats going fast, so don’t wait too long.
If you don’t mind watching from the end of the rink (I prefer it, myself), there’s a family/handicap washroom right behind section 113. If you go on the sting website and look on the menu under “tickets”, pull up the seat map. Map shows washrooms, but the family washroom is between Gate 3 and “kyrou’s corner” snack bar. Top row (13) in sections 112 & 113 is easy in & out, but mesh between you & the ice - which makes it harder to toss your bear…

Thank you both! I will purchase tickets tonight I'm sure the kiddo will love it. Definitely won't remember it though haha.

 

[StingUpdates]

Assuming Chartier gets a game this week (he better lol) I'd like to see it be Niagara Friday. Have struggled to score a bit this yr. Give Surzy the better Erie team & potentially a fun little matchup with Gaudreau.

No Doucette suspension yet. They've announced 4or5 SSPDs so you'd assume he'd of been listed too although u never know with this league. Gonna guess we appealed the call. I rewatched it & while he was certainly the more aggresive one I wouldn't say it warranted an instigator.

See if Wainwright or Hall are ready yet. Wasn't a for sure thing they'd be ready this weekend just what they were hoping for as of last week.

 

[StingUpdates]

Small prospect update.

C. Soares has 7G/2A in 15 games. 2nd for goals on the team. Been watching the highlights & I still think we should've signed him. Really hoping we do at some pt this yr. The kid simply scores goals at every level he plays at. Including our camp.

Michael Denney (2022 12th) is off to a great start. 6G/3A in 10 games. 3rd for points on the team (Stratford)

Liam Beamish (2023 7th) is off to a solid start. 7 points in 11 games. 4th in team scoring (Fort Erie)

Lucas Durham has 6pts in 8 games for the Legionnaires.

Bridgwater had 2A in 3GP but looks like he got hurt. Hasn't played in a few weeks unfortunately.

Maillet is 2-2-1 with a 0.904 Sv%. Has had 1 bad start where he allowed 6 on 42 but outside that he has a 0.920.