Sarnia Sting 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[nelli27]

INJURY UPDATES: Injured forwards Easton Wainwright and Carson Hall remain week-to-week, Seca said.

“I’d expect we’ll ramp up their skating this week and maybe hopefully in the next week to 10 days we’ll see them play some games,” he said.

Defenceman Josh Hoover is also making progress, he added.

“Josh is improving,” Seca said. “I’d call him still week-to-week as well, but we hope to get some update on him soon.”

From the observer. Good to hear both guys should be back hopefully in the next 2 weeks. Be a big boost. Almost feel uneasy with Hoover. Be scared everytime he's out there he'll get hurt again & especially another head injury. But if he can catch a break finally & stay healthy he'd be a great add for our blue line. Would hate sitting Hurt or Barr + Omeri would rarely draw in but don't want the kids getting tired, destroyed

Is Hoover really injured or deemed ineligible to play? He looks like he's 25. I want to see some ID.
SU knows.. But for others, yes I'm kidding.

 

[StingUpdates]

Fun period. Energy in here is great. Wouldn't think it's an early October game. Surzycia some big stops.

 

[StingUpdates]

Close it out boys! Been a tremendous effort so far. Tremendous.

 

[davewheeler]

did not expect this... but if im being honest London may not be as good as we expected. Looks like they're gonna struggle to score goals.

 

[nelli27]

did not expect this... but if im being honest London may not be as good as we expected. Looks like they're gonna struggle to score goals.

Lol!!! Post of the year!

 

[StingUpdates]

did not expect this... but if im being honest London may not be as good as we expected. Looks like they're gonna struggle to score goals.

They're 100% scoring 6 in the 3rd now, but they're the same as last yr. Elite L1. Elite. But after that it isn't to daunting. McCue, Gazizov, Boulton's, Nicholl, Julien aren't lethal guys. I'm sure they'll add 2 good Fs & they'll be set. D is elite and Simpson is top 5 goalie.

 

[davewheeler]

Lol!!! Post of the year!

Thx Neil... very good rebuttal ... London's high goal scorer from last year had a grand total of 22 goals.... if im a knights fan id be worried and hoping for an addition sooner than later. Outside of Barkey I don't see a ton of offensive talent.

 

[davewheeler]

They're 100% scoring 6 in the 3rd now, but they're the same as last yr. Elite L1. Elite. But after that it isn't to daunting. McCue, Gazizov, Boulton's, Nicholl, Julien aren't lethal guys. I'm sure they'll add 2 good Fs & they'll be set. D is elite and Simpson is top 5 goalie.

call me crazy but im not buying the hype on Cowan.... not one bit... IMO Barkey brings more to the table offensively... Also, I don't think it's going to be that easy for London to get any guy they want... there is going to be a ton of competition.... Londons defence is elite but this is the OHL you need the big guns up front and imo a team like Owen Sound has that.

 

[davewheeler]

big call coming here... MacDonald Needs to be way more tougher in front of the net there you can't just let that guy stand there.

 

[nelli27]

Thx Neil... very good rebuttal ... London's high goal scorer from last year had a grand total of 22 goals.... if im a knights fan id be worried and hoping for an addition sooner than later. Outside of Barkey I don't see a ton of offensive talent.

Sorry man...I thought you were joking since it's very early in the season. You deserve a proper response. So, coming into tonight's game, we've only been outscored by the opponent once in 7 games (a 4-1 loss to NB). Cowan missed a few games so we missed his offensive output. Our best forwards for putting the puck in the net are: Haltunnen, Cowan, Barkey, and we'll certainly need more than one line if we're going anywhere in the playoffs. We'll definitely need to add at least one forward. Sim returns in December, I think. Special teams off to a good start. Our PP has been doing well in the early going, and as for the PK... coming into the game tonight only allowed 1 SH goal. Sting scored a few tonight. Your goalie has played well, and you guys have a talented team...As I type this, the Knights have closed the gap, it's 4-3...gotta go!

 

[davewheeler]

Sorry man...I thought you were joking since it's very early in the season. You deserve a proper response. So, coming into tonight's game, we've only been outscored by the opponent once in 7 games (a 4-1 loss to NB). Cowan missed a few games so we missed his offensive output. Our best forwards for putting the puck in the net are: Haltunnen, Cowan, Barkey, and we'll certainly need more than one line if we're going anywhere in the playoffs. We'll definitely need to add at least one forward. Sim returns in December, I think. Special teams off to a good start. Our PP has been doing well in the early going, and as for the PK... coming into the game tonight only allowed 1 SH goal. Sting scored a few tonight. Your goalie has played well, and you guys have a talented team...As I type this, the Knights have closed the gap, it's 4-3...gotta go!

Sure it is very early I'll give you that... I just feel like London is having to work harder than expected thus far this year... especially for being the #2 team in Canada.

 

[davewheeler]

Love the rough stuff! Great W for the boys... very impressed with how they have started the year.. every guy grinding their tails off.

 

[robp1219]

call me crazy but im not buying the hype on Cowan.... not one bit... IMO Barkey brings more to the table offensively... Also, I don't think it's going to be that easy for London to get any guy they want... there is going to be a ton of competition.... Londons defence is elite but this is the OHL you need the big guns up front and imo a team like Owen Sound has that.

Cowan is definitely a stud in playoffs, we seen that last year.

 

[JAMER]

Well I wonder who could have seen this coming cough cough. All joking aside it's always nice to beat LDN.

 

[StingUpdates]

Well i owe this team an apology! I would've put my house on a LDN win. They simply wanted it more. PP goes 2/3, PK was amazing going 4/4. Blocked so many shots. So many big stick plays, board battles.

I said we needed more from 22/11 & boy did they deliver, especially Vilmanis. 1G/2A, 6 shots. Dominant. Way to shut me up, Sandis! Thought all our Cs battled their asses off. Even L4 who sat the 3rd i thought gave them great minutes.

Doucette was awesome too. 1G/1A & i believe Cowan's main chirp was about the money he has/is gonna get (weak chirp) & after Cowan's moronic penalty Doucette went by him doing the $$ sign. Absolute gold. Unfortunately he can't fight cause that was ugly lol.

D was really solid. Hurt took 3 really hard hits & it didn't discourage him at all. I thought he played terrific. multiple big blocks. kid is a gamer. when he adds 15-20 pounds he's gonna be a tank. Wanna be patient & not get to far ahead, but Young looks like an absolute stud. He's everywhere. Huge (i mean huge) 3rd goal right after they got within one.

Thought Omeri handled himself well. Glad he played. He earned it yesterday. What a bounce back from Surzycia. 30/33. So many timely saves. Great rebound control. Live i thought that 3rd LDn goal shouldn't of counted. Never see him get animated like that. but i gotta see it again.

Lastly, Hats off to the crowd! Been great all yr & tonight was electric. 4,400, 50/50 was huge. Had last year's team, played with this much effort & determination we'd have a banner in the rafters right now. This game had more hitting & emotion than all 6 of the conference finals.

Wainwright & Hall (hopefully) back this week. This season might not be all that bad after all. Thrilled with this team so far.

Also, shoutout Kukumberg! I thought he was great. He was one of the catalysts physically. Always going at it with somebody. Mentioned it SUN vs WSR but he's getting comfortable in NA. Really solid player. in all areas

 

[davewheeler]

Cowan is definitely a stud in playoffs, we seen that last year.

agree completely... all I was saying is I am not sure if he is the guy everyone is expecting him to be... we will see, I may be completely wrong.

 

[StingUpdates]

Cowan & Barkey had to of played close to 30 minutes. Haven't seen Fs play that much in a long time. Was comical honestly. Theyr'e incredible. Tho i must say they dove more than a few times. Refs only bit once, but two guys that good don't need to be doing that.

They'll be the team to beat in April. Simpson is better than tonight, D is stout & they have high-end Fs. They need 2-3 more Fs (which they'll get) & be set. Boulton's can hit but the play died everytime they touched it & that in itself was rare as they were stuck in their own end most of the night.

This definitely felt like the typical LDN team. Last yr they didn't act to cocky or do theatrics. This team tho? Loads of it lol. Didn't even have McCue or Sim either lol. Nice to get the first one on them. Boys better be ready for the next meeting.

Not sure what's up with him, but do hope everything is good with Hunter. Not sure i've ever seen him miss a game behind the bench.

 

[rve24]

I think knee surgery Hunter(?)

Kudos to the Sting. Well.played, hard fought game. Both teams bringing enough scoring, back n forth, n rough stuff to keep the crowd energized. Was probly a good game to attend.
This Sting team won't lie down. Enjoy.

 

[Ferda11]

Had a feeling I should have came down to Sarnia for this one! Oh well, I got to watch the sting win while having a cold beer in @GoKnightsGo44 living room...thanks buddy!

What a relief to see Vilmanis pop off a bit. Thought he was fantastic and generated lots. That goal was big. Loved the monkey toss off the back. Need it more consistently so hopefully this is the start of that. Thought Way had a great game as well, maybe his best this year. Filak was a hound I agree. Need to see him contributing to the offence tho! Agree about Hurt and Omeri having strong games. Hurt awesome on those blocks. Young continues to be great. Suryzcia huge bounce back game. He plays London so competitively in particular.

We will see a different London team next time around. As StingUpdates said, come playoffs they will have set themselves up to be the team to beat. That being said, with a hot goalie and the hard work ethic this team seems to posses, I think we will have our fair share of great tilts and even a few wins against London along the way.

 

[StingUpdates]

Noticing Doucette got an instigator at the end. Don't really disagree honestly. Believe that's 2 games in the final couple minutes. That sucks. He's been awesome. 6G/3A in 7 games. Already surpassed his totals from last year.

So speedy & his shot is legitimate. Hopefully 10&12 can return or we'll be down 3 Fs.

 

[robp1219]

agree completely... all I was saying is I am not sure if he is the guy everyone is expecting him to be... we will see, I may be completely wrong.

Ya who knows, I think he’s good for sure but not great. I think he will be a good 3rd liner in the NHL. Decent skill and plays hard.

 

[StingUpdates]

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.

 

[howler2]

Wow , you win a game no one would have expected your goal tender stands on his head the team as a whole plays fantastic....and you reward them by giving first star to LONDON ! Who picks these 3 stars .

 

[FatKid]

After the 'video review' on the Knights' goal, I thought Hunter wasn't on the bench because he was in (and in charge of) the video review room.
I think if a guy is all over / trying to impregnate the goalie, it's goaltender interference.
(kidding, of course)

 

[StingUpdates]

After the 'video review' on the Knights' goal, I thought Hunter wasn't on the bench because he was in (and in charge of) the video review room.
I think if a guy is all over / trying to impregnate the goalie, it's goaltender interference.
(kidding, of course)

Usually they say if the player isn't trying to get out of the crease then it's no goal. It's why imo it shouldn't of counted. He made no effort to move & it prevented Surzycia from going to his left

But thankfully Way got the goal right back