Sarnia Sting 2024 - 25 Season Thread, Part I

[StingUpdates]

Sarnia will lose their 2nd game in 24 hours to the two worst teams in the eastern conference. In the 6 periods they have 3 total goals.

6 straight losses.

 

[stingwagoner]

Sarnia will lose their 2nd game in 24 hours to the two worst teams in the eastern conference. In the 6 periods they have 3 total goals.

6 straight losses.

Not a surprise I predicted 0/3
Worst pp and pk in league. Thanks to jefferies.
There is going to be some trades next week 100% or coaching change.

 

[DarkRedxJ]

Looks like Guelph will win tonight. And if they beat the Pete's Sunday they will pass us for 8th. And Owen Soend only 2pts behind us. Which would bump us to 10th in west and 19th overall.

 

[StingUpdates]

Not sure I've ever swung so wildly & fast from super excited & enjoying seeing this team play to wanting to not even turn the tv on.

Straight up depressing to watch

 

[davewheeler]

Im looking at 2 games coming up here... at home to Flint and os... if those are losses the coaches are gone... after 30 games the buzz will have a goal differential of -50..... 2nd worst behind PTBO at -54 .... after that its GUE at -27 .... pathetic.

 

[stingwagoner]

Wonder what Letang and Dylan Seca are going to blame ot on tonight?

 

[StingUpdates]

Im looking at 2 games coming up here... at home to Flint and os... if those are losses the coaches are gone... after 30 games the buzz will have a goal differential of -50..... 2nd worst behind PTBO at -54 .... after that its GUE at -27 .... pathetic.

It should be Monday morning. It'll be 7 straight losses. 2 wins out of 19or20.

This team is fundamentally broken. But they won't do it. I don't even know they'll do it if they lose those games too.

 

[stingwagoner]

Im looking at 2 games coming up here... at home to Flint and os... if those are losses the coaches are gone... after 30 games the buzz will have a goal differential of -50..... 2nd worst behind PTBO at -54 .... after that its GUE at -27 .... pathetic.

Coaches are not going anywhere, we are just going to have to except next will be worse than last year and this year. Time to trade anything we can get something for might, even be Fischer.

 

[davewheeler]

Coaches are not going anywhere, we are just going to have to except next will be worse than last year and this year. Time to trade anything we can get something for might, even be Fischer.

I don't know if I agree with trading Fischer... I don't disagree with it either tho... but what is the point of bringing in more young players to a team that cant develop them... we will just be younger and worse.

 

[StingUpdates]

I don't know if I agree with trading Fischer... I don't disagree with it either tho... but what is the point of bringing in more young players to a team that cant develop them... we will just be younger and worse.

I'd rather be brutal with a bunch of promising players than brutal with those vets still on the team.

Totally understand what u mean & I don't even disagree.

But you'd get back an '08 + picks for Fischer. You'd get multiple good picks for Wainwright and Young.

Fully stack it up for 26-27 so u don't need to make 5 trades like 2 years ago.

Sure as shit can't go for it next yr. What could give them ANY confidence they'd take any substantial step next yr past Di Iorio and Edwards being better.

 

[stingwagoner]

I don't know if I agree with trading Fischer... I don't disagree with it either tho... but what is the point of bringing in more young players to a team that cant develop them... we will just be younger and worse.

Yes that is true, but have to believe Dylan sees what we see. Just doesnt have the balls to do what needs to be done.at end of day Letang and Company is his signing.and need to go. For the development of this group.
Just think we are going to lose fischer next year because he will want out anyway. Wainwright will be gone next year to a NCAA school and possibly Young so trade before deadline to get cupboards full and maybe see about some key vets next year to mentor this group. Coaching needs to change and I don't see team being better even next year at this rate of development.

 

[davewheeler]

I'd rather be brutal with a bunch of promising players than brutal with those vets still on the team.

Totally understand what u mean & I don't even disagree.

But you'd get back an '08 + picks for Fischer. You'd get multiple good picks for Wainwright and Young.

Fully stack it up for 26-27 so u don't need to make 5 trades like 2 years ago.

Sure as shit can't go for it next yr. What could give them ANY confidence they'd take any substantial step next yr past Di Iorio and Edwards being better.

I just dont want the buzz to continually be a lottery team....The cycle of trading vets isn't a good recipe imo. Next year we will be having this same convo with Brown or Wainwright because this team next year without Fischer wont be great .... then in 2 years we will be talking about trading Edwards for a haul...... ect.... I always use LDN as examples and I know its not quite fair but 3 years ago they were just meh .. lost in round 1 but.... they had ok vets and a ton of young talent.... they didnt trade anyone away. They could have easily traded their top guys and tanked... they didnt... then 2 years ago they were a really young talented team but they kinda sucked and didn't have any good veteran players ....they were under .500 for awhile... they could have easily traded away Mailloux or mcgern or whatever his name is ...but they didn't. They did the opposite. They traded for two vets in Diaco and Winterton then they were kinda good... they made it to the finals as well all know... those young guys weren't forced to carry a team and they got a ton of experience ... good vets and really good young guys.... now last year we all know what LDN did and what they're going to do this year. Thats the natural and proper cycle in Jr hockey, I don't care what anyone says...... The O has gotten wayyyyy too out of control with trading/tanking.... imagine 2 years ago Buzz just decided to do nothing... We would still have Martone/MacDonnel/Daviaut... then add in the Leblanc brothers... I understand our drafts would have been different but we would have had a better pick that we used on brown and we'd still have Edwards and another 1st not DiLorio ... That is a good team that wouldnt rely on rookies to carry them. lol I hope you all could follow that.

 

[StingUpdates]

I just dont want the buzz to continually be a lottery team....The cycle of trading vets isn't a good recipe imo. Next year we will be having this same convo with Brown or Wainwright because this team next year without Fischer wont be great .... then in 2 years we will be talking about trading Edwards for a haul...... ect.... I always use LDN as examples and I know its not quite fair but 3 years ago they were just meh .. lost in round 1 but.... they had ok vets and a ton of young talent.... they didnt trade anyone away. They could have easily traded their top guys and tanked... they didnt... then 2 years ago they were a really young talented team but they kinda sucked and didn't have any good veteran players ....they were under .500 for awhile... they could have easily traded away Mailloux or mcgern or whatever his name is ...but they didn't. They did the opposite. They traded for two vets in Diaco and Winterton then they were kinda good... they made it to the finals as well all know... those young guys weren't forced to carry a team and they got a ton of experience ... good vets and really good young guys.... now last year we all know what LDN did and what they're going to do this year. Thats the natural and proper cycle in Jr hockey, I don't care what anyone says...... The O has gotten wayyyyy too out of control with trading/tanking.

For sure. I don't think they'd trade Fischer. He might be a top 3-5 D in the league next yr with who's graduating/gonna push to make the NHL. Not now at least. That would be more of a next yr thing if they are just a solid team & they can get a haul.

I do wonder if Wainwright or Young could be dealt in the next month. I'm a big fan of both. Both are really good players for us. But they'd get a legit return for either guy IMO. With Wainwright we've talked about there abundance of Cs & moving him lets Edwards move back to C full time.

With Young we have a ton of D especially with O'Brien (who i've quite liked so far) added. Moving him wold ensure Barr/Bridgewater stay in every night & maybe gives one of them a legit shot at running a PP unit for the rest of the season.

I wont be upset if they don't, but something I'm definitely coming around on because they wont be able to get any sort of return for anyone else.

 

[stingwagoner]

My point exactly in off season and all last year we had weaker vets.
We had way, sikic, kai, didn't help us get to where we needed to be. Way was playing pp,, etc we have filak and doucette this year who really aren't top vets that will help young guys get to next level. Well maybe they would if our development isn't so shity with this staff. And next year might be Johnston and moses and young at this rate.how is it going to get better. When will cycle break of re build to worse.

 

[StingUpdates]

Really speaks to the league/conference this year that Sarnia has 2 wins in 17 games & we are still in a playoff spot & 1 win out of 7th. If they won 2 games they'd be tied for 6th lol. With FLT/SSM/OS all upcoming.

Honestly feel that might be why the team is acting the way they are. They don't feel the season slipping away because it hasn't & if they go 2-1 in those 3 games they'd be fricken tied/right there for 6th somehow.

Sorta worries me actually. They'll lose vs KGN because they are just a considerably better team, but if they beat Flint then split OS/SSM they'll feel they are fine when they are anything but that.

 

[stingwagoner]

Its damn coaches jefferies needs to go of put haley back on pp like last year.

 

[StingUpdates]

Its damn coaches jefferies needs to go of put haley back on pp like last year.

Nah let them both to. Seriously. It actually hurts Letang too. Having competent assistants can do so much for a HC. I think it's hurt Alan

 

[davewheeler]

Really speaks to the league/conference this year that Sarnia has 2 wins in 17 games & we are still in a playoff spot & 1 win out of 7th. If they won 2 games they'd be tied for 6th lol. With FLT/SSM/OS all upcoming.

Honestly feel that might be why the team is acting the way they are. They don't feel the season slipping away because it hasn't & if they go 2-1 in those 3 games they'd be fricken tied/right there for 6th somehow.

Sorta worries me actually. They'll lose vs KGN because they are just a considerably better team, but if they beat Flint then split OS/SSM they'll feel they are fine when they are anything but that.

lol yay get the 8 spot and get absolutely steam rolled by LDN. I feel like they're better off getting in the lottery.

 

[StingUpdates]

lol yay get the 8 spot and get absolutely steam rolled by LDN. I feel like they're better off getting in the lottery.

Oh. If it's 8th seed vs LDN or missing it isn't even a discussion

 

[SarniaStingFan]

Team looked better tonight. Top line looked really good. Brown finally gets off the schneid, Beamish gets his first OHL point, and the line combined for 11 shots. They controlled the play when they were out there. Fourth line did their job and were a pain to play against. They were throwing the body around a ton, especially Hall.

After Brown's goal they outshot Ottawa 27-10. Surzycia looked like a tired goalie after playing 7 of the last 8. The first three goals were all ones that he probably should stop. I think Maillet should have started one of the games vs PBO/OTT. The scoreline doesn't always reflect the game and I think tonight was one of those nights.

There are still mistakes that need to be cleaned up. A bad turnover on a blind pass by Johnston leads to Ottawa's first goal and then they took a bad too many men penalty late in the second when they were was controlling the game and that led to OTT's third goal.

Overall, I thought their compete level was noticeably higher and I came away from the game somewhat encouraged

 

[StingUpdates]

Team looked better tonight. Top line looked really good. Brown finally gets off the schneid, Beamish gets his first OHL point, and the line combined for 11 shots. They controlled the play when they were out there. Fourth line did their job and were a pain to play against. They were throwing the body around a ton, especially Hall.

After Brown's goal they outshot Ottawa 27-10. Surzycia looked like a tired goalie after playing 7 of the last 8. The first three goals were all ones that he probably should stop. I think Maillet should have started one of the games vs PBO/OTT. The scoreline doesn't always reflect the game and I think tonight was one of those nights.

There are still mistakes that need to be cleaned up. A bad turnover on a blind pass by Johnston leads to Ottawa's first goal and then they took a bad too many men penalty late in the second when they were was controlling the game and that led to OTT's third goal.

Overall, I thought their compete level was noticeably higher and I came away from the game somewhat encouraged

23-40-11 have been a really strong trio. They haven't been scoring a lot which needs to come, but I feel they are always in the offensive zone. Beamish is an absolute ace on the draws. clicking at almost 60%. Really strong on the PK/defensive zone. Honestly he's a perfect 3C to play behind behind Di Iorio & Edwards when they are premiere OHL players. sucks he wont be here when they are that level.

Agree on L4 if they aren't gonna score they gotta bring that every night. Need Wainwright to get going a bit. He isn't flying up & down the ice like usual. Edwards seems out of sorts too. Hopefully Kostuch is ok. He was in a lot of pain & it seemed like it was an eye injury.. Been playing his best hockey as of late

I have been impressed by O'Brien. Defends well. Plays hard. Solid skater. Has shown some offence. With Fischer & Young back soon our D *should* be pretty solid with Fischer/Young/Bodin/O'brien/Hurt as our top 5. Bridgwater continues to be solid on 3rd pair.

Still way to many breakdowns & brutal special teams. Offensively not scoring at all either. After Sunday they get FLT SSM OS. If they cant take 2of3 out of that this team is in real trouble (more than they are)..

 

[SarniaStingFan]

23-40-11 have been a really strong trio. They haven't been scoring a lot which needs to come, but I feel they are always in the offensive zone. Beamish is an absolute ace on the draws. clicking at almost 60%. Really strong on the PK/defensive zone. Honestly he's a perfect 3C to play behind behind Di Iorio & Edwards when they are premiere OHL players. sucks he wont be here when they are that level.

Agree on L4 if they aren't gonna score they gotta bring that every night. Need Wainwright to get going a bit. He isn't flying up & down the ice like usual. Edwards seems out of sorts too. Hopefully Kostuch is ok. He was in a lot of pain & it seemed like it was an eye injury.. Been playing his best hockey as of late

I have been impressed by O'Brien. Defends well. Plays hard. Solid skater. Has shown some offence. With Fischer & Young back soon our D *should* be pretty solid with Fischer/Young/Bodin/O'brien/Hurt as our top 5. Bridgwater continues to be solid on 3rd pair.

Still way to many breakdowns & brutal special teams. Offensively not scoring at all either. After Sunday they get FLT SSM OS. If they cant take 2of3 out of that this team is in real trouble (more than they are)..

I really like the makeup of lines 1 & 4. I wouldn't touch those. With Di Iorio seemingly coming back next week it will be interesting to see what Letang does with lines 2 & 3. Personally if Kostuch and Di Iorio are available I'd like to see:

Kostuch-Wainwright-Karimov
Di Iorio-Edwards-Doucette

I know that they likely won't scratch Johnston but I think that's the best course of action. The defence has been very hard to judge properly with all the injuries. There's lots of guys playing more minutes than they should out of necessity. Fischer and Young being back soon should bring more stability to the d-core, improve the PK, and put everyone back into the role that they should be playing in. That should create less breakdowns. The PP isn't going to stop being brutal any time soon. It needs a miracle

 

[stingwagoner]

I really like the makeup of lines 1 & 4. I wouldn't touch those. With Di Iorio seemingly coming back next week it will be interesting to see what Letang does with lines 2 & 3. Personally if Kostuch and Di Iorio are available I'd like to see:

Kostuch-Wainwright-Karimov
Di Iorio-Edwards-Doucette

I know that they likely won't scratch Johnston but I think that's the best course of action. The defence has been very hard to judge properly with all the injuries. There's lots of guys playing more minutes than they should out of necessity. Fischer and Young being back soon should bring more stability to the d-core, improve the PK, and put everyone back into the role that they should be playing in. That should create less breakdowns. The PP isn't going to stop being brutal any time soon. It needs a miracle

You guys make me laugh, flop like the wind lol it wasn't a close game and your grasping at anything to think it was and stay positive, I get it but let's get real here.
This team is worse than last year with players getting worse as season goes on.those are facts.

Why are we ignoring the facts.
Bodin came here he was actually pretty solid stay home D that was physical and strong early this year we saw his crushing hits and tough in corner out front but now staff has changed him to a PP specialist and risky D that is clearly hurting our own end and Team defense. Flag

We have fischer usually running the top pp unit when he is healthy has never been offensive guy! He excels playing big minutes against opposing teams top units but we are forcing him to be something else. Trying to get way too much from him. Flag

We have barr who was a pp specialist last year very effective Iight add now sitting on bench watching omeri who was sent to jr A month ago running 2nd unit, again great development decisions. Huge flag

We have wainwright our 1st line C playing with 3rd line guys even 4th in petes with Johnston and franchesschetti (lol) and a new guy coming in playing 1st line C. Would that happen on any other team no chance besides this joke of a staff? Maybe put real 1st line together. Like we have said all year. And actually stick with it for 5 games. Flag

We have Johnston who led the league in preseason to now be staple on 3rd line or scratch or sit periods that is what you call development I thought development goes up not down. No one has fallen down faster IMO than maybe kostuch too coming in confident played well last year to starting off sick and catching up but been shafted with lines this entire year of gets good one that works and see it changed mid game or next game. Shows he has been on Letangs mind fk list this year. No pp min pp and confidence shows. Flag

Edwards was going up in right direction but now this staff has had time to tinker with his mind change how he plays and thinks and threw him on wing to totally confuse and mess a young guy up hard enough playing at the pace of this league never mind a new position that's what pre season is for ans off season not only that keep swapping him in and out so can't grow in position. He is only 16. Let's surround him. Support him... naw eh Letang.... flag

How about mentally destroying karimov who had been great alot of games but is too risky and Letang wants to change him rather than embrace what he brings. they play him 4th line 3rd line etc and not play him like other guys with good vet why not give him support with 2 good linemates and let him create to develop. Kid came over with bright future now this staff has set him so far back I'd be surprised he comes back after break like kukumberg. Not sure there is a bigger flag.

What else can we say about dysfunction of this staff?
How about over using Surzycia... flag

How about not using bridgewater when he has been our most solid D most of year. Give him experience flag

Give o'Brien time to get affected by this staff, came in with other stuff in head and is playing good, give it time. (Will see if flag)

How about give young guys like brown and hurt "A" and add to their pressure already and Fischer the "C" just not smart moves in super young careers all together. Fischer sure an A but let him focus on his game rather than all the other stuff setting him back he doesn't act like he did few games ago from a hit on teamate. And gets suspended without that "C" flag.

How about using 2 16 year olds to run the pp for most of year and wonder why we can't score when need to.and the numbers are worst in league. Sure it's the system but pressure is felt I'm sure by the 16 year olds. Flag

Maybe that isn't how development works in this league sure we all want to see Edward's and Di iorio get to where they will get sooner but usually taking time is best option to not affect them mentally.
Di iorio seemed to be declining before he got hurt too. Flag!

There are so many red flags I see with this staff and their suspect decisions that have put team in bad spot going forward. Have actually set team back IMO we should be further ahead here this season.
The future isn't bright at this point.
Big Red flag again!

Sarnia has always been like this we all need to realize the team from few years ago wasn't the norm. Last years and this years team is more of the norm have we forgotten that. Not to mention we have had more than fair share of below average coaches but never the development issues this staff has. Players, most of players have regressed this season.
Sure brown scoring last night was something but he has still regressed from last year going to team canada before Christmas to this season seems like letang has affected him in negative way. Flag!

Sure I'm critical on this staff and actually do think Letang is decent coach just not the right fit for rebuilding team in this league. Strong Assistant coaches like sullivan last year and staubutz previous years there would be chance, guys actually improved but this year heading wrong direction. Sorry for long post just lots in my head about this season and last, they have been hard on me. I wear my passion for this team on my sleeve like a badge and I'm starting to think for 1st time, I don't like where we are headed and might be time to RIP the badge off. that is a red flag for fans!

 

[stingwagoner]

Now back to food for thought.

Wainwright karimov brown (line 1)
Beamish filak kostuch (line 2 or 3)

Edward's doucette Di iorio ( line 2 or 3)

Hall franchesschetti Moses(heavy line)

Out Johnston doesnt fit in!!!! Send him Packing, remember we still have Chamberlain that is going to need time top 3 lines and leuke! Who can pressure the 4th that's all.
That's how we get vet with young guys to develop and push them.
Tell me those 3 lines wouldn't be good? If they were left for 5 games and practiced together. Dynamite and energy.

Think they all would be a real team identity. Hard to play against each line. That's what we were at beginning now we are easy to play against except for a few each game.

 

[DarkRedxJ]

I find it kinda telling. That no one was quoted in the article about last night's game.