Karsen Chartier shines in OHL debut

Jon Maillet For the Journal Sarnia Sting rookie goalie Karsen Chartier picked up his first career win in St. Catherines Friday night, as the Sting downed the Niagara Ice dogs 3-2 in overtime.

Jon Maillet
For the Journal

Sarnia Sting rookie goalie Karsen Chartier picked up his first career win in St. Catherines Friday night, as the Sting downed the Niagara Ice dogs 3-2 in overtime. Chartier made 30 saves in his OHL debut, while Jacob LeBlanc scored the overtime winner against his former team. 

Sarnia improved to 5-3-0 on the season after a tight battle Friday night and currently sit in second place behind the Soo Greyhounds in the West division. 

Tyson Doucette continued to light the lamp, scoring his seventh goal this season. That gave Sarnia a 1-0 lead late in the first period; Mitch Young and Marko Sikic assisted the goal that came with 1:08 left in the first period. 

Michael Podolioukh scored the only goal in the second period, his first of the season as Niagara tied it mid-way through the period. The goal came while shorthanded and the teams would remain tied 1-1 heading into the third period. 

Sarnia would dominate the third period, leading the shot clock 18-8 in the final frame, and managed to get a go ahead goal midway through the period. Zach Filak gave the Sting a 2-1 lead with his third of the season, with assists from Lucas Fischer and Andrew LeBlanc.

Ice Dogs goalie Marcus Vandenberg, who finished the game with 30 saves, would keep his team in the game amidst the Sting onslaught, before Mike Levin would keep Niagara’s hopes alive with a late third period goal. His second of the season came at the 18:07 mark of the third period and set up the overtime period tied at 2-2. 

The teams would trade chances in the overtime before former Ice Dog Jacob Leblanc picked a great time to score his first of the season; Doucette had the assist as the Sting won 3-2 with just two minutes left in the extra period. 

With the overtime winner, LeBlanc was named the game’s first star, while the second star was given to Ice Dogs goalie Vandenberg, and Chartier rounded out the 3 stars in his debut. 

Sarnia now heads to Pennsylvania to take on the Erie Otters, Erie was also in action Friday night in London, with the Otters winning 5-3. 

Puck drops at 7pm at the Erie Insurance arena Saturday night.