Jon Maillet For the Journal
It’s been a busy few days for the Sting — a resignation, a trade and a loss — and the week isn't even over.
Earlier this week, the Sting announced that assistant coach Brent Sullivan was stepping down to attend to personal family matters.
It is expected his replacement will be named soon, as Sting head coach Alan Letang is slated to head to Canada’s National Junior team camp, and the World Junior Hockey Championships.
The Sting also completed a trade this week with the Kingston Frontenacs, acquiring defenceman Duncan Schneider in exchange for a 7th round pick in the 2027 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.
Schneider is set to make his Sting debut Friday night.
Sarnia was also in action Wednesday night in Brantford to take on the Bulldogs, and despite getting off to a quick start, the Bulldogs buried the puck all over their yard in the 6-3 win.
Nick Lardis would lead the way for the Bulldogs, scoring twice and adding an assist; Lardis was named the first star of the game. Patrick Thomas helped out with two assists for second-star honours, while Sting Forward Sandis Vilmanis added a goal and was named the third star.
Vilmanis started the scoring early for the Sting — his sixth goal this season put Sarnia out front 1-0 just under three minutes into the game. Roman Kukumberg had the lone assist on the goal.
The lead however would not last long; Calvin Crobie would tie the game for Brantford just two minutes later with his second of the season. Jorian Donavan would give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead just 57 seconds later, his fifth of the season.
In another quick response, Tyson Doucette would finish a play, giving him 11 goals this season now, to pull the Sting even to 2-2 about a minute later at the 6:56 mark of the first. Zach Filak and Jacob LeBlanc assisted on the powerplay goal.
At 5:08 into the second period, Sean Doherty lit the lamp for the second time this season, giving the Sting their second lead of the hockey game as Sarnia jumped out front 3-2.
It would be all Bulldogs from here on out, as Brantford would tie it before the end of the second and score three more in the third enroute to the 6-3 win.
Luca Testa’s ninth of the season tied it before the end of the second period, while Nick Lardis scored twice and Marek Vanacker added one in the third.
The game marked Sarnia’s third straight loss — all three on the road — as the Sting look forward to returning to the Progressive Auto Sales arena on Friday night. Their record falls to 9-11-0-0.
Brantford led the shot clock 38-21 and both teams connected once with the powerplay, Brantford went one for five, while the Sting were one for three on the powerplay.
Next up for the Sting, they host the Owen Sound Attack Friday night at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena, puck drops at 7:05 and tickets are available online at sarniasting.com and the box office.