In Sarnia, Ontario, the Sarnia Sting fell 5-2 to the Kitchener Rangers at Progressive Auto Sales Arena on Sunday, December 15, 2024, extending a challenging stretch for the home side. The loss leaves the Sting near the bottom of the OHL’s Western Conference, struggling to build momentum as the season passes the midway point.
According to the game recap, Sarnia struck first through Jack Van Volsen, but Haeden Ellis tied the game for Kitchener early in the first period. Kitchener pulled away in the second with two quick markers — Weston Cameron opened the burst and Carson Campbell scored later in the period. Cameron finished with two goals, Tanner Lam added a third-period goal (assisted by Campbell), and Jakub Chromiak sealed the result with an empty-netter. Sarnia’s goals came from Van Volsen (his 10th of the season) and Easton Walos in the third.
Campbell’s two-point night against his former team underscored the risks of Sarnia’s rebuild strategy. Reflecting on the decision to trade the 17-year-old, Sting general manager Dylan Seca said, “This trade gives Carson the opportunity he deserves… We wish Carson all the best in Kitchener,” according to the Sarnia Observer.
In a post-game address published on December 17, head coach Alan Letang pointed to a “lack of urgency to shoot the puck” and “lack of execution once we got it in” as key issues. Letang, who had been guiding the Sting through a youth-focused rebuild, said he aimed to “build culture” and “put the Sarnia identity back,” remarks available in the team’s post-game video archives. (Background research indicates Letang was later relieved of his coaching duties following this stretch.)
The result dropped Sarnia to a 10-17-3-1 record (24 points), while Kitchener sat atop the conference with 46 points. The Sting will look to regroup as they continue the season.
