The U11 Sarnia-Lambton AAA Jr. Sting team is off to an impressive start to the 2023-2024 campaign.
Over the weekend, the Sting swarmed the competition by compiling a 5-0-1 record en route to a gold medal in Fort Erie, Ontario to win the AAA Border Classic Early Bird Tournament.
Round robin play started off with a 2-2 tie against the Southern Tier Admirals from Welland — the eventual opponent for the championship game. That was followed up by victories over the Rideau St. Lawrence Kings by a score of 6-1 and a 4-3 win versus the Oshawa Generals to finish Group 1 in first place.
Quarter final action saw the team play the Guelph Gryphons who couldn’t keep pace and were downed 5-1 setting up a familiar opponent in the semi-finals, the London Knights. A competitive battle of the 402 resulted in Sarnia being too much for London, leaving the squad victorious 4-2.
A rematch with the Southern Tier Admirals in the finals left the Sting with a challenge to re-write there opening game stalemate, and did they ever, leaving no question who deserved to take home the championship banner by ousting the Admirals 6-2. Puck movement and relentless effort were on display all weekend. Add in the calming presence of goaltending, calculated defending and 3 forward lines clicking led to the title.
The “2013’s” are now unbeaten in 11 games to start the season and look to continue that success leading into Alliance league play.