Hounds undefeated streak snapped by Sting

As quickly as the Soo Greyhounds went on an seven-game undefeated streak, the team now finds themselves in the midst of a two-game winless skid as the Hounds dropped a 4-1 decision on home ice to the Sarnia Sting on Wednesday night.

A quick start by the locals in front of just over 3,200 fans at Memorial Gardens was all for not as the Sting reeled off four straight goals, including two power play markers, to take the two points.

The Hounds managed to jump out to a quick start before anyone in the building was able to get settle in for the game.

Hounds forward Jason Pitton took a pass from Tyler Kennedy and broke down the left wing into the Sarnia zone. Pitton cut into the faceoff circle and fired a shot at the Sarnia goal that managed to find its way through Sting goaltender Mike Iafrate and into the goal, giving the Hounds a 1-0 lead just 10 seconds into the game.

The Hounds managed a number of other quality scoring chances but could not increase their lead. Midway through the period, Hounds defenceman Jordan Smith hit the post and late in the period, Kennedy was robbed on a sliding save by Iafrate.

The Sting tied the game early on in the second period when Brad Efthimiou scored his first of two goals on the night at 4:34.

Just prior to the midway point of the period, Smith had a chance to put the Hounds back ahead but hit the crossbar on a shot from the right point.

Just over six minutes later Efthimiou gave the Sting the lead as he beat Hounds goaltender Jakub Cech with the Sting on the man advantage.

The third period saw the Hounds add to their shot total by peppering Iafrate in the Sting goal with 14 third period shots, but the Hounds had nothing to show for it.

Iafrate was up to his earlier tricks as he made another tremendous save on Kennedy in close. While the Hounds were shooting everything but the kitchen sink at Iafrate, the Sting used their limited chances to their advantage.

At 11:37, with the Sting again on the man advantage, Richard Clune beat Cech to give the Sting a two goal cushion then, at 16:19, defenceman Chris Gravelding scored his first goal of the season to seal the 4-1 victory.

The two Sting goals came in a period that saw the visitors fire only four shots towards the Hounds goal.

Hounds coach Craig Hartsburg, visibly disappointed with the game, felt his team lacked desperation in the loss commenting on the issue shortly after the game.

"We didn't play with enough desperation tonight," Hartsburg said. "The chances we took ended up being mistakes and it cost us. We got what we deserved tonight. We weren't sharp with or without the puck.

"We've got to be ready to play Friday (against Kitchener)," Hartsburg added.

Hartsburg went on to say that he expected Kyle Gajewski to get the start on Friday night when the Hounds and Rangers face off in a 7:30 p.m. start at Memorial Gardens.

Despite the loss, the Hounds did manage to get some good news on Wednesday night.

Thanks to the Saginaw Spirit dropping a 3-1 decision to the Plymouth Whalers on Wednesday, the ninth place Spirit mathematically cannot catch the Greyhounds in the Western Conference standings clinching a spot in the playoffs for the Hounds.

The Whalers win did pull them to within one point of the Greyhounds in the race for top spot in the OHL's West Division. The Whalers also have a game in hand on the Hounds.

Following Friday's game against Kitchener, the Hounds complete their short three-game home stand with a matchup against the Guelph Storm in a 7 p.m. start.

*** AROUND THE O:

* In a game the Hounds were keeping a close eye on, the Plymouth Whalers received a goal from former Hounds defenceman Mike Looby with 1:32 remaining in the third period to pick up a 3-1 victory over the Saginaw Spirit. Mike Knight had a goal and an assist for the Whalers. The Looby goal spoiled a sparkling 39-save performance from Saginaw netminder Jeff Weber.

* In Owen Sound, Sault native Patrick Jarrett, Igor Gongalsky, Brad Richardson and Jonathan Lehun each had a goal and an assist as the Attack defeated the Kitchener Rangers 5-0. Bobby Ryan had a pair of assists while Mike Brown stopped all 16 shots he faced in the victory.