Sarnia Sting 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[Stellar29]

A good but not great 19 yr old Dman went for a 2nd & two 3rds today.. love LeBlanc but if that's the type of return that they can get....

Different type of player so I'm not too sure how relevant that is. LeBlanc is currently 5th in D scoring and a likely OA next season. Good chance he garners more than Budnick. +/- is a flawed stat but being a team worst -13 is probably the only thing working against him. Other factor is if his brother has to be moved as part of the package. Andrew is a good player in his own rite but how might that impact the market? If they get moved it will be really interesting to see what return they garner. I'm thinking Sarnia fans could be pleasantly surprised.

 

[StingUpdates]

I'd be happy getting a 3+3 let alone 2+3+3 or anything more. Be phenomenal value for what they paid just a few months ago for the duo.

Add in hopefully getting two picks in the top 4 rounds for vilmanis & I'd be very happy with that to go with what they got for Gaudreau.

Then if they trade Filak, Doucette or LeBlanc it would be a great sell considering the lack of great high end players we have.

 

[OHL4Life]

I'd be happy getting a 3+3 let alone 2+3+3 or anything more. Be phenomenal value for what they paid just a few months ago for the duo.

Add in hopefully getting two picks in the top 4 rounds for vilmanis & I'd be very happy with that to go with what they got for Gaudreau.

Then if they trade Filak, Doucette or LeBlanc it would be a great sell considering the lack of great high end players we have.

hard to get that for Vilmanis, im not sure what condenders want an import. hard to ask for that if only 1 bidder

 

[StingUpdates]

hard to get that for Vilmanis, im not sure what condenders want an import. hard to ask for that if only 1 bidder

Yah we'll see. KIT could use one if their one doesn't come after Christmas. Vilmanis be an upgrade over Gazizov but doubt LDN feels it's a necessity. If Guelph adds they barely play their import G so could see them being interested. If Miss does a soft buy just to help win a round or 2 could see them as he'd be cheaper than a NA PPG player.

But definitely not as many options as one would like.

 

[bobber]

Yah we'll see. KIT could use one if their one doesn't come after Christmas. Vilmanis be an upgrade over Gazizov but doubt LDN feels it's a necessity. If Guelph adds they barely play their import G so could see them being interested. If Miss does a soft buy just to help win a round or 2 could see them as he'd be cheaper than a NA PPG player.

But definitely not as many options as one would like.

I doubt very much this import player Kitchener drafted shows up in Kitchener ever. Someone speculated that was something the Ranger staff was pondering but it's basically a pipe dream. I hope he does show up because it's a freebie. No one has a clue now on the direction the Rangers will go now despite their success this season. Might even sell off the top players to replenish the empty draft cupboard. Good luck to the Sting going forward with their plans.

 

[OHL4Life]

Yah we'll see. KIT could use one if their one doesn't come after Christmas. Vilmanis be an upgrade over Gazizov but doubt LDN feels it's a necessity. If Guelph adds they barely play their import G so could see them being interested. If Miss does a soft buy just to help win a round or 2 could see them as he'd be cheaper than a NA PPG player.

But definitely not as many options as one would like.

the asking price for vilmanis is said to be over the moon right now. well see if it stays that high.

 

[WolvesFanInNorthBay]

Hello fellow junior hockey fans in Sarnia! I come to you in peace from North Bay, however I am a Wolves fan (if you didn't figure it out from my username)

I will be in your beautiful city on January 12th when the Wolves visit the Sting. I have the following questions.

1) Should I purchase the tickets in advance, or can I walk up on Friday?
2) Best restaurant for my wife and I to go to before the game?
3) We'll be heading to Detroit after the game, what's the best way to get there?
4) Where would you recommend we sit?
5) What else should I know before heading down?

I appreciate any response to either question and can't wait to be in your barn!

 

[honeydripper]

Hello fellow junior hockey fans in Sarnia! I come to you in peace from North Bay, however I am a Wolves fan (if you didn't figure it out from my username)

I will be in your beautiful city on January 12th when the Wolves visit the Sting. I have the following questions.

1) Should I purchase the tickets in advance, or can I walk up on Friday?
2) Best restaurant for my wife and I to go to before the game?
3) We'll be heading to Detroit after the game, what's the best way to get there?
4) Where would you recommend we sit?
5) What else should I know before heading down?

I appreciate any response to either question and can't wait to be in your barn!

1) walk up on Friday, no rush
2) Bains BBQ
3) cross at Sarnia, I94 (Waze it)
4) energy zone=cheap (visitors shoot twice)
5) don’t forget your passport
Bias view: it’s a super friendly place to watch as a member of the visiting fan base. Also, 95% chance the wolves win.

 

[HockeyPops]

Parking?

 

[Texcanuck]

Parking?

Free along the west side of the rink. Parking lot on north side for high end ticket holders and handicap permits only.

 

[SarniaStingFan]

Logan Phillips back with the Legionnaires tonight. Assuming that means Chartier will be back this weekend

 

[JAMER]

Filak is back Surzycia starts which I'm not to happy about. And Schneider is out.

 

[Billyjack]

the twins would look good back in Kitchener

 

[SarniaStingFan]

Filak is back Surzycia starts which I'm not to happy about. And Schneider is out.

I sort of get the reasoning for Surzycia starting. Don't want to throw Chartier to the wolves after not playing for a bit. Plus, Surzycia has actually played quite well against Saginaw this season. More annoyed at Wainwright playing with Lominac and Moses on the fourth line. Why do they refuse to give him good linemates?

 

[robp1219]

the twins would look good back in Kitchener

What would you send the sting?

 

[StingUpdates]

What a joke of an officiated game. I mean good lord. Both ways. Straight trash.

Boys worked hard. Surzycia was fantastic. See if they can get a W to end the 1st half tomorrow.

 

[SarniaStingFan]

Haven't been able to comment on many of the games lately but I've been proud of the resiliency of this group. I know that their not winning a ton of games but they're fighting hard every game. Surzycia was a perfect example of that tonight. He's really struggled over the last few weeks but had an amazing game and kept the team in it. It's a struggle on the offensive side though. Even against a great team like Saginaw you need more than seven shots in the final 45 minutes. I thought Wainwright and Sikic had decent games but no one else stuck out. Didn't anticipate that we'd miss Brown this much

 

[howler2]

What a joke of an officiated game. I mean good lord. Both ways. Straight trash.

Boys worked hard. Surzycia was fantastic. See if they can get a W to end the 1st half tomorrow.

I agre with the offiating was terrible, Jackson should be banned by the league. Sting played an amazing game and deserved a better result. Not calling goalie interfernce in OT along with the penalty in OT was Buls..t.

 

[StingUpdates]

Been trying to really watch Omeri lately. I have good confidence in Barr, Hurt to become real good Dmen. Fischer is established. Young is fun as heck. LeBlanc been just absurd. Schneider nice gritty Dman.

Omeri is the one I'm uncertain about. He never really stands out. Badly or good. Which isn't the worst thing. Isn't making glaring mistakes but also isn't making many noticeable plays.

Don't see a top 4 Dman. But can he be a really solid puck moving 3rd pair guy who isn't a liability? Nights like tonight give me some confidence he can. I thought he was really solid.

Ultimately I could see him becoming an odd man out with Fischer, Barr, Hurt, Young, Schneider, Bridgewater & potentially J. LeBlanc all here next season. Has the rest of the reason to show he's a guy to keep.

Didn't anticipate that we'd miss Brown this much

He's one of the only guys on the team who can make guys miss, dance Dmen etc. miss his creativity a ton & he was showing he's a really solid finisher too

Gotta be the biggest disappointment of the 1st half for me. Kid looked unbelievable then had that tournament & hasn't played much at all since. Thought he was a sleeper to win the rookie scoring race for '07s. Hopefully is back after Christmas.

 

[StingUpdates]

Same lines but Chartier starts with Maillet backing up.

 

[StingUpdates]

That's a rock solid win for the boys. Chartier really solid stopping 22/24. Two breakaway saves on Kressler & Pitre. Their most dangerous Fs. Really like the way he handles the puck. Feel like it helps us exit quicker. Still a bit wild at times, but good showing. Hopefully gets more consistent starts & can show he's a guy to staple on the team for years to come.

Fischer was an absolute monster tonight. Flint could not generate a thing with him out there. More of that aggressiveness, Lukas!

Filak 1G/2A. His best game maybe of the season. Wainwright & Moses were awesome & both get 1G/1A. PK was awesome this weekend. Way, Sikic big reasons for that. Both really solid tonight.

Last 2 weeks have been much more like early season Sting with effort, pressure etc. good way to enter the break.

 

[Ferda11]

Good win, but they really need to cut down on these odd man rushes and breakaways. It’s quite alarming the amount of times they occur each game. Team seems to be playing much looser defensively. It’s lead to some offense, but definitely puts a lot more responsibility on our goalies on these odd man rushes that quickly transition against us. Team was more physical last night which was good to see. If we are to compete vs skill, we will need to hit everything that moves to try and put that skill off its game. Can’t match it, so hit it lol. Just my two cents anyway!

Merry Christmas y’all, enjoy the holidays!

 

[StingUpdates]

Agreed. Think they cheat a bit to much to generate offense because it's such a struggle up front. Physical play should be their identity this yr with what they have.

Hope everyone has a great Christmas & holiday season! See what Letang can do with a bit of an underwhelming team Canada squad & how Sandis, Roman do!

 

[StingUpdates]

Well I think had you told me we sat 9th at the break before the season I would've believed it. Bit disappointing considering their start, but injuries & inexperience really added up in NOV/DEC to derail things maybe before it would've otherwise.

I'd say I'm pretty happy with what this season is about. Brown looks like a really promising F. Barr, Hurt have far exceeded my expectations coming in & look to have great potential. Sim has fallen off lately, but him sticking & having glimpses is more than I anticipated.

Lominac hasn't scored as much as I had hoped, but as I've said I do like how much grit, intensity he's played with. If he can become a pesty 3rd liner who can score a bit you absolutely take that for a FA signing. Doherty been really disappointing for me. Just don't see it. Lacks IQ, good decision making etc.

I like Hall. He'll never be a big PT producer, but I think he'll be a really solid 2way C who can score 15-25 goals as he matures. Omeri as I mentioned the other day I'm torn on. Chartier has shown great flashes but has also had some bad moments which is expected.

Leave it there for the roster. Don't wanna go to in depth on the roster, especially the guys we knew well. Will at a later date haha.

Really hope we see at least 2 trades after Christmas. If not 3or4. Ride Chartier, Maillet in net down the stretch. Play the heck out of the rookies. Hope for a gem in the draft. As well as sign Beamish, Denney & bring them up for some games as they've had tremendous seasons.

 

[SarniaStingFan]

Didn't get the chance to watch on Saturday but great to see the team get a win before the break! It's been good to see Haley doing so well behind the bench in the four games that Letang has been gone. The identity of this team hasn't changed with him back there. Here are the team stats in the four games Haley has coached:

Record: 1-2-1
Shots per game: 29
Shots against per game: 25.75
PP: 0/15 (0%)
PK: 9/11 (81.8%)

Obviously the PP is still a concern but they played their best game in a while against Owen Sound, would have been in the game against Oshawa if it weren't for goaltending, kept it very close against one of the league's best teams, and got the W in an important game before the break. I've been pleased with what I've seen so far. We'll see how he does in the back to back against London in what always seems to be a heated atmosphere