Greyhounds blank Sting in Sarnia (updated)

SARNIA, ONT. - With a division title wrapped up, the Soo Greyhounds used a divisional game to rest some bodies.

With three veterans out of the lineup in defenceman Darnell Nurse and overage forwards Tyler Gaudet and Patrick Watling, the Greyhounds blanked the Sarnia Sting 7-0 in Sarnia at the RBC Centre on Friday night.

The team used the game to rest the three veterans in a game they broke open with four goals in the third period.

The game saw 14 different Greyhounds players pick up at least a point in the win. Sergey Tolchinsky led the way with a pair of goals and an assist in the win, which included a highlight reel breakaway goal in the second period. The Russian-born forward faked a backhand before shooting between his legs to beat Sting netminder Taylor Dupuis. The goal, 90 seconds into the second period, would make the score 2-0 Greyhounds at the time.

Former Sting forward Bryan Moore had a goal and an assist for the Greyhounds while Tyler Ganly chipped in with a pair of assists in the win. Tyler Hore, Jorgen Karterud, Dylan Corson and Blake Speers also scored for the Greyhound.

Goaltender Brandon Halverson stopped 35 Sarnia shots for the shutout.

The game had added meaning for the rookie goaltender. Halverson took the ice after learning of the passing of friend and minor hockey teammate Ryan Fischer. Fischer passed away in his sleep on Thursday night from complications due to an enlarged heart.

Dupuis made 28 saves for Sarnia in the loss.

The Greyhounds improve to 41-17-1-5 with the win while the Sting fall to 16-41-2-5.

The Greyhounds are back in action on Sunday afternoon at the WFCU Centre in Windsor against the Spitfires. They wrap up their road schedule on Wednesday evening in Saginaw against the Spirit before returning home for their final two games of the regular season.