Sarnia Sting 2024 - 25 Season Thread, Part I

[StingUpdates]

Bodin hurt now. It's unbelievable how every fricken November this team seems to get hammered by guys leaving the lineup. Now in the midst of an 8 game gauntlet all on the road they don't have Fischer (best D/player), Bodin (top pair, PK), Di Iorio (2C, PP1, PK), Edwards (3C, PP1, PK)..

Credit to them for not rolling over at 3-0 and battling back. I honestly though they'd lose 8-1 after the first 10 minutes. Uncharacteristically undisciplined all night & it cost them 3PPGs & the game. Karimov is consistently one of this teams most dangerous Fs. Even more so than Brown & Kostuch. Letang has gotta be the worst coach in history with pulling the goalie. don't gotta reinvent the wheel here, Alan its pretty straight forward. Christ.

Another good showing from Chamberlain I thought. He's been looking better & better as of late. Doesn't look overwhelmed at all playing 3C. He could learn a lot from Wainwright. Similar size, skating ability & 2way play (at 16).

Placing Martone's over/under at 3.5 points tomorrow. Im guessing he gets it by the end of the 2nd.

 

[stingwagoner]

Just hard to watch the 1st period of this team. Very hard. 9 pps we gave the Gens? We had 4. Think letang has lost his mind Johnston 1st pp and gaughan second pp just nuts who makes these calls.
Good games by Karimov, wainwright and thought bridgewater was solid.
Need more guys on board.

 

[SarniaStingFan]

Far too undisciplined. You're never going to beat a top team like Oshawa when you give them 9 PPs. Annoying part was almost all the penalties were avoidable. Karimov's slash was the only "good" penalty that they took. Despite my recent criticism of the PK, you can't really blame them much when two of the goals were 5v3.

We held our own at 5v5. Outscored them 2-1 and the shots were 16-13 Oshawa. Wainwright played a good game. 1G/1A/+2. Great shot on his goal, nice play along the boards to setup Moses, and then flattened Sandhu in the third. Karimov had another solid game. His physical presence is increasing as his confidence grows.

Losing Bodin would be a massive blow to the d-core and force Hurt/Young to play 30 minutes a night like Fischer did last year. Tomorrow's game against Brampton could be rough. Martone is either getting held off the scoresheet or will have 5 points. I'm going to say he gets 5 points lol.

 

[Donnie740]

How do you not pull the goalie, down by 2 with 1:15 to go with the face off in the opposing end? Letang has lost his mind.

Dumb penalties were a big factor here. Can’t win games playing with 3 and 4 guys against one of the best offensive teams in the league.

I couldn’t believe my eyes that he didn’t pull the goalie then and actually thought he would have done it far sooner.

This was the first game I’ve seen Sarnia play this year - - and maybe I just caught them on a bad night - - but they looked horrendous on all levels.

SIX (6) skaters on the ice and all of them below the face off circle for nearly half a minute before the refs finally realized what was happening. The crazy thing was that Oshawa was controlling the play and swarming all over the offensive zone despite Sarnia having an extra man on the ice.

On the ensuing penalty kill, two Sarnia players crash into each other and give up a 2-on-ZERO which predictably leads to a goal.

On the very next shift, two plays crash into each other entering the offensive zone. Maybe one occurrence could be considered a fluke breakdown, but twice in back to back shifts makes you question the coaching scheme.

Firing the puck directly into the stands early in the penalty kill with no pressure from the opposing forecheck not just once but TWICE is mind boggling.

 

[SarniaStingFan]

Just hard to watch the 1st period of this team. Very hard. 9 pps we gave the Gens? We had 4. Think letang has lost his mind Johnston 1st pp and gaughan second pp just nuts who makes these calls.
Good games by Karimov, wainwright and thought bridgewater was solid.
Need more guys on board.

Who else are putting out on the second PP unit though? The other options are Chamberlain, Moses, Sim, Andersen, Bridgewater, Hurt, or Omeri once Bodin went out. I don't mind parking a big body like Gaughan's in front of the net

 

[StingUpdates]

Gonna be the road trip from hell. They are gonna have to win in Owen Sound or else this will likely be an 0-8 road trip because Erie, Niagara, London, Saginaw are the other 4.

It's a shame & really frustrating because this team really found there game/footing the 2-3 previous weeks before 13s injury & the departure of the rookies. Was really liking how they were playing. But even with 13/17/81 playing NIA LDN KIT OSH BRMP NIA ER LDN SAG was gonna be hard let alone without them + maybe Bodin now. Really got dealt a sh*t hand.

But more than anything I just wanna see some guys wake up a bit even in these losses. Filak hasn't done much lately. Johnston been coasting. Brown is trying but not making the right plays. Hurt has struggled since being elevated which is fair, but he can do better (won't help if Bodin's out), Doucette been fine but we need him to standout if we wanna stay in games can't be just Wainwright & Young. Big chance for Kostuch playing T6 & he's been just ok I feel.

Loving Wainwright & Young. They've been unreal since Fischer went down. As I said liking Chamberlain. Karimov been good. Just wanna see more guys playing well then when the team is 100% get back on track.

 

[SarniaStingFan]

Gonna be the road trip from hell. They are gonna have to win in Owen Sound or else this will likely be an 0-8 road trip because Erie, Niagara, London, Saginaw are the other 4.

It's a shame & really frustrating because this team really found there game/footing the 2-3 previous weeks before 13s injury & the departure of the rookies. Was really liking how they were playing. But even with 13/17/81 playing NIA LDN KIT OSH BRMP NIA ER LDN SAG was gonna be hard let alone without them + maybe Bodin now. Really got dealt a sh*t hand.

But more than anything I just wanna see some guys wake up a bit even in these losses. Filak hasn't done much lately. Johnston been coasting. Brown is trying but not making the right plays. Hurt has struggled since being elevated which is fair, but he can do better (won't help if Bodin's out), Doucette been fine but we need him to standout if we wanna stay in games can't be just Wainwright & Young. Big chance for Kostuch playing T6 & he's been just ok I feel.

Loving Wainwright & Young. They've been unreal since Fischer went down. As I said liking Chamberlain. Karimov been good. Just wanna see more guys playing well then when the team is 100% get back on track.

Brown and Kostuch are the most concerning tbh. Brown has been the disappointment of the season so far. I would like to see Letang split up him and Johnston. That combination doesn't work. Maybe play him with Wainwright for a game to try to get him going. Kostuch is very inconsistent. He can wow you like he did against Flint last Wednesday but then he's invisible in other games. Has the speed, has the shot, has great hands, and is getting consistent minutes + PP time but he isn't producing. He's not helping his case to get more minutes when Di Iorio + Edwards come back.

These two players are supposed to be taking a step up and I haven't seen that from either of them yet

 

[StingUpdates]

Brown and Kostuch are the most concerning tbh. Brown has been the disappointment of the season so far. I would like to see Letang split up him and Johnston. That combination doesn't work. Maybe play him with Wainwright for a game to try to get him going. Kostuch is very inconsistent. He can wow you like he did against Flint last Wednesday but then he's invisible in other games. Has the speed, has the shot, has great hands, and is getting consistent minutes + PP time but he isn't producing. He's not helping his case to get more minutes when Di Iorio + Edwards come back

I'm not to concerned for the long term, but definitely let down a bit to start. Especially as someone who's a big believer in Brown. It's been frustrating because last year he was great at finding open ice in the Ozone similar to what Edwards has done so far. But this year he's been way more puck dominant & trying to use strength opposed to smarts & quickness & he isn't big enough or old enough (just turned 17) to do that yet. His added muscle is great, but don't throw away the stuff that made you successful last yr!

I don't think him & Johnston have been a match at all & agree they gotta split them up & haven't. Johnston is a bit of a puck hog & Brown also can be so it doesn't flow. Brown last yr was great with Wainwright. would like to see them reunited to see if it sparks 23.

Kostuch im cutting slack. Mono is no joke. Barkey in LDN who's an MVP level player hasn't looked anything like himself this yr & he had it, too & that's a 19 yr old, 3rd RD NHL pick on a stacked team. Really tough missing all of camp too.

 

[stingwagoner]

Winning 18 draws as a team isn't ideal losing possession to a vet team going to hurt?
Wainwright 10-19
Filak 4/17
Chamberlain 1/8
Karimov is earning more ice but not getting it let's go coach kid deserves chance to play with more offensive guys like maybe wainwright to get puck more.
D was a disaster, 2 delay of game over glass calls while on pk already to put us down 5 on 3 shows D struggled with speed of game. Way to fast for anderson kid is showing he is fish out of water at times. Love his compete no question, just rest of game needs a tonne of work. Our pk has been figured out way too passive we need a pressure pk against offensive pp teams. Right now we sit back hope they hit us or miss net that's not ideal strategy. Again coaches adjust to teams they play I don't see any most of year its Letangs way or no way. Hope guys above see his ability, as it's pretty blatant we are behind in coaching from puck drop again this year. Good gut check down 3-0 but giving up 9 pps we can't compete.
Bridgewater young best D last night not saying much. Tough game tonight need to shut down misa martone line

 

[stingwagoner]

Looks to me coach isnt trying to change anything other than that Wainwright moses filak line and put 1 on each line while di iorio and Edward's are gone. Pretty sad need to sort things out and if guys step up great have to work Edward's and Di iorio back into lineup. Think Letang so set on his lines when they come back won't put Brown back with Wainwright like last year? Brown needs to get going 1000% it's time for him just playing a very less selfish game this year rather get back to a speed, give and go and open for shot type play.

brown wainwright karimov
Doucette filak kostuch
Chamberlain moses johnston
Sim Gĺaughan

 

[SarniaStingFan]

New lines today:

Brown-Wainwright-Karimov
Doucette-Filak-Johnston
Kostuch-Chamberlain-Moses
Sim-Gaughan-Franceschetti

Young-Omeri
Hurt-Barr
Andersen-Bridgewater

Surzycia

Bodin is out

 

[StingUpdates]

Finally Karimov gets his shot in the T6. Long overdue. It's like he read the page haha. Brown reunited w/12 as well. Excited to see that trio.

Nice to see Franceschetti finally making his debut. Hopefully gives L4 a boost. That defence is about to be absolutely ran over by Martone & Rehkopf. Hoo boy.

 

[DarkRedxJ]

Finally Karimov gets his shot in the T6. Long overdue. It's like he read the page haha. Brown reunited w/12 as well. Excited to see that trio.

Nice to see Franceschetti finally making his debut. Hopefully gives L4 a boost. That defence is about to be absolutely ran over by Martone & Rehkopf. Hoo boy.

No Kamiris or Macdonell for Brampton Hopefully that helps us a bit.

 

[StingUpdates]

No Kamiris or Macdonell for Brampton Hopefully that helps us a bit.

Not sure what F line will go against Martone/Rehkopf the most, but whichever one of the top 2 that isn't needs to step up vs a lesser 2nd line than BRMP would usually have. Be there best way to stay in this game. Unfortunately they are starting Ivankovic b2b nights during a 3in3.

Was hoping we'd maybe catch a break & they'd start the backup. Surzcyia is gonna have to be stellar.

 

[StingUpdates]

Surzcyia needs to stop that 2nd one. Cant go 5hole from that angle. Also shouldn't leave Rehkopf that open lol. Just like last night quick goals has them down multiple immediately.

Absurd no call. Blatant hit from behind on Kostuch. So bad.

 

[DarkRedxJ]

Yet another delay of game.

 

[DarkRedxJ]

Hopefully Kostouch is ok.

 

[StingUpdates]

Johnston's best period in 2-3 weeks & he's rewarded. What a sick pass by Young & a great pass by Brown to send Young.

Honestly not a bad period. Had some looks. Wish Surzcyia stopped that 2nd goal. Franceschetti couple big hits which you love to see. Omeri also threw a big one.

 

[StingUpdates]

Absolute joke these refs are. Franceschetti throws a clean, not even all that hard hit, Zidlicky jumps on him, puts him in headlock so they fight & as they are Gee grabs Franceschetti & during it somebody dumps Brown his head & it's called off setting with no 3rd man in on Gee???

What in the actual hell are these morons looking at.

 

[StingUpdates]

Been a quality road game from the team today thru 2. A PPG though would've been massive & they didn't get it. Need a big 3rd.

 

[DarkRedxJ]

Horrible officiating in this game.

 

[StingUpdates]

That is a MASSIVE win for this team. Not gonna act like they didn't get lucky with some bad goals for Ivankovic & they were also missing bodies, but they still have some unreal players. Total team effort. PK after struggling went 6/6 today & killed off two huge ones in the 3rd. So many big blocks, stick checks, clears. Helluva day for that unit.

Johnston was an absolute beast today. 2G/1A, +4. THAT is the Johnston we need. Idk if Letang sat him down, or if he just looked himself in the mirror, but that Johnston is a helluva player & one we need.

Wainwright is awesome man. What a sick individual effort on the shorthanded, game winning goal. Then after they got back within one he gets them back up two. Wild stat is the 2nd team leader in +/- is Moses at +2. Wainwright is +8! Straw that stirs the drink for this club.

Doucette & Filak were great as well. each with 1G/1A. Asked for them to step up & boy did they ever.

5on5 they defended their tails off. Young has stepped up in a massive way with 13 out. Omeri has too. Bridgwater another solid day I thought. But all 6 should be happy. They all battled & played well.

Surzcyia after an iffy 2nd goal was stellar & that penalty shot save in the 3rd was gigantic.

Crucial win for this team. Confidence was fading. Got behind 2-0 early. Stuck with it & got rewarded. Let's go!

 

[SarniaStingFan]

That's a character win right there! Down your top d-pairing and two of your top scorers and you come back from 2-0 down to win against an eastern conference contender.

Vets were all incredible! Credit to Letang making an the line adjustments after last night. Doucette-Filak-Johnston were great together. Doucette was using his speed and shot well off the rush. Filak and Johnston were much more engaged, were willing to go into the dirty areas, and were winning battles. Wainwright is an incredible player. I was asking where he was earlier this year but has he ever shut me up. 13 points (7G, 6A) in his last 11 games. Has been our best 5v5 player lately and has stepped in a big way on the PK with Di Iorio/Edwards gone. Gets the shorthanded game-winner today. Surzycia struggled early but made some big saves on Rehkopf late in the first & Misa in the second to keep the Sting in it. His stop on Witkowski's PS was beautiful.

One guy who won't get a ton of credit today but I think should is Ryan Brown. He made the beautiful pass to Mitch Young for the secondary apple on the first goal, opened up space for Wainwright on the shorthanded winner with by hustling down the middle and drawing the attention of the defence, and also laid a few beautiful reverse hits. Overall loved the physiciality of the team. Must have had 10-15 hits in the game.

Huge credit to the PK going 6/6 and getting a shorty after all the criticism that I've given them. Love seeing young guys like Andersen, Brown, Chamberlain, and Hurt stepping up and getting all that experience on the PK. Should serve them well down the line. If we can go 1-2 again next weekend I would consider our time without Di Iorio/Edwards a success

 

[stingwagoner]

Easily Johnston's best game, was skating and moving puck more than I have seen. Still alot I don't like but today he was OK
Filak looked alive for 1st time in a while. Karimov was wicked today and OMG Wainwright was a Beast out there physical speed grit just loved it. Congrats to him and congrats to buzz for a big win when a big win was surely Due. If that same effort shows up next weekend who knows what results will be.

 

[StingUpdates]

Overall they had a solid weekend. Nightmare first 10 vs OSH got them down 3-0, but they played fine the rest of the way. Just took way to many penalties. Today I really liked their game. Physical & simple. Used their speed which really backed off Brampton D. Did a good job boxing out in front of Surzcyia.

These lines need some runway with 17/81 gone. Obviously, dislike having Kostuch with 2 lesser offensive players, but give that 23/12/19 line some practice. They showed some great flashes today of what they could be as a trio. 25/11/37 dominated. Little bit of everything with that trio & u gotta see if they've got something cooking together.

Maybe move JJ to L3, have Kostuch play C & have Moses on RW then move Chamberlain to L4. Be a crash & bang line with Kostuch having solid skills.

Owen Sound is a pesty group with a top tier goalie so it wont be easy. Hopefully regroup for a couple days & get some practice in with the new lines, PP units.

Anybody gonna try & catch a game of the U17s? Team Red in particular is loaded, led by WHL exceptional status Dman, Landon DuPont who is insane. Di Iorio, Valentini, Wassilyn, Fitzgerald on that team, too.