Sam Studnicka’s power play goal in the second period stood up as the winner, as the Sarnia Sting held off the Spitfires 2-1 in a battle for first place in the West Division Friday.

Nikita Korostelev gave the Sarnia Sting a 1-0 lead with the only goal of the first period, taking a cross crease pass from Anthony Salinitri before beating Mario Culina (26 saves) on the short side.

Neither club could take advantage of three power play opportunities in the opening 20 minutes.

Studnicka’s 23rd of the season gave the home side a 2-0 lead on the power play after Patrick Sanvido took a double-minor for butt-ending at 3:19 of the second.

But the Spits cut the lead in half just four minutes later, as Christian Fischer (34) took a long stretch pass from Andrew Burns and busted in alone before beating Charlie Graham (27 saves) with a trademark backhand.

Timely Culina saves kept the Spits within a goal headed to the third period. But the visitors couldn’t tie it up, despite outshooting the Sting 10-4 and holding a distinct territorial advantage.

The Spitfires are right back at it with a pair of home games this weekend; hosting North Bay Saturday (7:05) and Kingston Sunday afternoon (2:05).

SCORING
First Period: 1. SAR Korostelev (19) (Salinitri, Konecny) 12:50
Second Period: 2. SAR Studnicka (23) (Korostelev, Jacobs) 5:23 PP, 3. WSR Fischer (34) (Burns) 9:34
Third Period: No Scoring

SHOTS ON GOAL
WSR: 6-12-10 = 28 SAR: 11-13-4 = 28
POWER PLAYS
WSR: 0-for-4, SAR: 1-for-6

Feature photo by: Metcalfe Photography