The Sarnia Sting kicked off 2025 with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over Blake Montgomery and his London Knights teammates at a packed Progressive Auto Sales Arena. Beckham Edwards played the hero for the Sting, scoring the game-winner just 3:28 into sudden-death overtime and silencing the boisterous Knights fans who had donned bright green outfits and wigs for the occasion.
Edwards opened the scoring early in the first period, beating Knights goalie Aleksei Medvedev with a shot from the bottom of the right circle. Daylen Moses doubled Sarnia's advantage late in the second period, capitalizing on a loose puck in front of the net.
However, the Knights, boasting a potent power play, roared back in the third period. Sam O'Reilly got them on the board at 6:53 with a shot from the bottom of the left circle. Then, with just 1:45 left in regulation, Denver Barkey, assisted by Montgomery, tied the game with a shot through traffic from the slot.
Despite the late surge from the Knights, the Sting regained their composure in overtime. Edwards, seizing his opportunity, fired a shot past Medvedev to secure the victory and spark jubilant celebrations from the Sarnia players and fans.
This hard-fought win demonstrates the Sting's resilience and determination, particularly in the face of a late comeback from a strong London Knights team. For Montgomery and the Knights, the defeat serves as a reminder that even with a potent power play, maintaining a lead requires constant vigilance.
This New Year's Day clash provided a thrilling spectacle for the 4,475 fans in attendance, showcasing the excitement and intensity of junior hockey. The Sarnia Sting will look to build on this victory as they continue their campaign, while the London Knights will aim to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.
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