The Sarnia Pacers travelled down to Wallaceburg last evening and showed why they are still in the playoff hunt. After suffering an OT loss in this same arena just three weeks ago, the Pacers seemed determined to NOT let this one get away. They displayed shooting prowess regardless of how many or few players they had on the floor going 4 for 4 with the man advantage and notching two shorties!

They opened the scoring with a quick one - just 1:12 in - off the stick of Mitch Doughty and took a two goal lead on a Kyle Ferguson goal just over four minutes later. Wallaceburg got their lone marker of the period but Sarnia's Dan Gawne restored the two goal lead on a power play goal with 3:10 remaining in the period.

The second stanza was the breakout period for Sarnia. The Red Devils opened the scoring with a power play goal of their own while Dan Gawne sat in the sin bin - four minutes for checking from behind. Once that penalty was killed, the Pacers came back with six unanswered goals. Dan Charlton got it started and at the same stoppage, a few penalty were taken and again Sarnia found themselves on the penalty kill. After successfully killing it off, they then found themselves with a two  man advantage and scored on both of them courtesy of goals by Ben Tamming and Chad Zonneville.  The other three goals by the Pacers this period were scored by TJ Mara, Brandan Burr and Lance Ross and the visitors took a commanding 9-2 lead into the dressing room after 40 minutes of play.

The Red Devils made a goal tending change from starter Kirby Celotto to backup Haven Moses a\nd less than 2 minutes into the final period, Sarnia found themselves on the penalty kill again. However, that didn't stop Connor Smith from popping in a short-handed goal before Wallaceburg replied with a power play marker of their own and the gap between the two teams was again 7 goals. 

By the seven  minute mark, the Pacers found themselves down by two runners - Ryan Charteris and Lance Ross were called for holding minors. Although Sarnia gave up two power play goals, they also got one while playing 5 on 4 and the found themselves up by 6 by the time the penalties expired.

Chad Zonneville notched a goal at the 8:12 mark and it was at that point that Sarnia must have felt they were on the penalty kill each time they were in their own zone. The Red Devils bench pulled their goalie for an extra attacker any time they were in their offensive zone and it did pay some dividends.They would connect three times with the extra attacker - the third one while on the power play as well.Sandwiched between the three goals was a beautiful Pacer goal by Kevin Conry who scored with an over the shoulder marker. 

 As much pressure as the Red Devils applied, Sarnia tender Justin Matthews came up with many key saves all game long and picked up his 6th win of the season.

The Pacers have one final road trip - Saturday the 18th they travel to Niagara to take on the Thunderhawks who currently sport a 5-11 record and have playoff aspirations of their own - battling for that 8th spot with perhaps three other teams, the Pacers being one of those.

On Sunday the 19th - Father's Day - the Pacers host their final regular season game.  It's a 4pm start against the Welland Warriors who are sitting with a 4-13 record.

Don't forget to visit our photo gallery to see the actions shots from this game!