General Game Notes: Sarnia beat the visiting Erie Otters in a wild game of momentum swings. Erie came out of the gate early in this one but got nothing out of it and fell behind 4-0 by the mid point of the second period. The Otters carried the rest of the play narrowing the gap but came up short. Sound goaltending and timely scoring were the difference for the Sting in this one.
Charlie Burns (G, R, 6’1″, 172, Erie Otters, 01/29/2006)
Game Grade: B
Comments: This right hand catching goaltender has seen limited action for Otters since coming over from Niagara in a January 2024 trade. Burns did not start the game but came in with a relief effort with the Otters down 4-0 early in the second. Burns was composed and saved 16 of 17 and gave the Otters a chance to come back. He challenged shooters, controlled his rebounds effectively and made two point blank saves in the second to keep his team in game.
Ty Henry (D, R, 6’2″, 197, Erie Otters, 07/19/2006)
Game Grade: C
Comments: Henry is a sturdy/balanced left shot defender who plays a defensive role for the Otters. He was effective on the PK in this one blocking out opposition forwards on their net drive. He competed along the walls and in the corners for loose pucks and was not afraid to engage physically. He was involved in a number of physical plays (gave a few and took a few good hits) paid attention to his one on one play. Henry played an aggressive gap but was caught flat footed on a few occasions allowing opposition forwards to beat him wide. He is not an offensive threat for Erie but does possess a heavy shot and was able to get a few away to test the Sarnia tender in this one. Puck management on the forecheck was no concern this evening as he worked well with his partners on the regroup and did not overhandle in his zone.
Georgy Toroptsev (LW, L, 6’0″, 179, Erie Otters, 04/22/2006)
2024 draft eligible did not play in this game.
Matthew Schaefer (D, L, 6’1″, 170, Erie Otters, 09/05/2007)
Game Grade: B-
Comments: This rookie left shot defender continues to show improved play and confidence with the pace of the Jr game. He gets back on the puck retrieval quickly and has a good idea of where he needs to move the puck to beat the pressure. When needed he showed the ability to skate the puck up ice. He jumped into the attack quickly and aggressively – always looking to provide a secondary option on the attack. He was controlled on the power play at the top of the umbrella and used deception and changes of angles to get pucks through to the net or his forwards in space. Schaefer will need to continue to work on the velocity of his shot to ensure he can provide a shooting option in this set up. He has length and size on the defensive side of the puck and looked strong defending when he managed his gap. Schaefer is going to need to continue to develop his strength and power game on the defensive side of the puck. There were times under the heavy cycle game where he lost the battle of position while defending. He is a first year defender and this should come as he matures physically and commits to more of a shut down posture when he does not have the puck.
Nicholas Holomego (D, L, 6’4″, 202, Erie Otters, 05/19/2006)
2024 draft eligible did not play in this game.
Wesley Royston (RW, R, 6’3″, 174, Erie Otters, 11/22/2007)
Game Grade: C+
Comments: This late birthday 2007 winger is a few years away from the draft but is worth writing up with his play in this game. This lanky right shot winger is a big body with good length who will need time to adjust to the Jr game. He has not done much of anything consistently on the scoresheet so far this season but his size and pace were noticeable in this viewing. He had a handful of quality chances in this viewing and scored in the second on a two on one with good pace through the neutral zone and a quick release shot to finish the play. He used his size and reach effectively to create separation tonight and was difficult to contain at times. He was confident in his zone with the puck and not afraid to the hit to make a play and start up ice. Despite the inconsistent start to his first season, he showed tonight he can be a factor. We will check back in on this player to see if he is able to build on this game.
Nicholas Surzycia (G, L, 6’0″, 173, Sarnia Sting, 12/17/2004)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: This late birthday 2004 goalie was dynamic tonight and Sarnia’s best player. Erie dominated the play early in this one and Surzycia was sharp – making a handful of quality saves in the first 10 minutes of the game. This allowed Sarnia to counter and build a 4-0 lead early in the second. From there on the game had a bit of tilt Erie’s favor. He stopped 42 of 46 in this one, many under heavy pressure. He is an undersized tender who relies on quick reactions and mobility in his crease to challenge shooters. Surzycia made a number of quick reaction saves – particularly on Erie’s power play where they had sustained pressure. He got out high in his crease and cut the angles down effectively. Good game overall in this viewing, the rating could have been higher – despite the 40+ save performance – he let in two of the four that he would like to have back.
Carson Hall (F, L, 6’1″, 175, Sarnia Sting, 04/29/2006)
Game Grade: C
Comments: Hall played an in your face physical game in this one and was involved in a number of physical plays. He was heavy along the walls on the forecheck and threw at least two high quality body checks. He is a depth player for Sarnia and not a big point producer (3G in 35 games) but he was highly effective in this one at softening up the Erie defenders along the walls. Defenders needed to be aware when Hall was bearing down on them tonight.
Easton Wainwright (C, L, 5’10”, 186, Sarnia Sting, 01/19/2005)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: This undrafted (2005) left center was noticeable on nearly every shift early in this game with his pace and high energy play. Sarnia blew the game open early with 4 unanswered goals and Wainwright was a key catalyst in this with his speed on the forecheck and pace through the neutral zone. He created a number of chances with his second effort and willingness to compete for loose pucks. He was winning pucks and forcing mistakes with his closing speed on the forecheck. He was rewarded with his energy in this one – set up two goals in the first with his tenacious play and scored a back breaker for the Sting in the third.
Lukas Fischer (D, L, 6’3″, 173, Sarnia Sting, 09/09/2006)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Fischer is one of the elite draft eligible defenders in the OHL this season. He generates power in all directions with his skating and mobility and can close quickly with his powerful stride. He got to loose pucks all game with this speed and size combo. He is a big body with excellent reach and gapped up defensively. Very few opposition forwards challenged him one on one this game when he tightened up his coverage early in the neutral zone, forcing a dump in and change of possession. He creates power with his stride and has above average mobility for a big defender. He was effective on the breakout and spent very little time in his zone especially early in this game. Fischer plays big minutes for Sarnia, runs their PP, kills penalties and matches up vs the opposition top line. His defensive intensity fell off late in this one as Erie played the second half of the game with the ice tilted in their favor. This young defender logged key minutes late but let a few slip by on the outside – he will need to tighten this up.
Sean Doherty (C, R, 5’11”, 175, Sarnia Sting, 03/23/2006)
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Two goals on one shift for this stocky right winger. Both top shelf with quality net drives. This doubled his season output in a 30 second time span. Doherty is a depth player for the Sting who played a tenacious game tonight. He was tough along the walls and showed a willingness to get in on the forecheck and compete for space in the offensive zone. He is not the fleetest of foot in open space and will need to find another gear in his game if wants to score at this level. He was productive this evening and was obviously rewarded for his physical play.
Dennis Lominac (LW, L, 5’9″, 175, Sarnia Sting, 01/11/2006)
2024 Draft Eligible forward played a limited role in this viewing.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Scout: Paul O’Hagan