For the second straight game, in a packed RBC Centre, the Sarnia Sting suffered a heartbreaking loss to Erie, this time in overtime 4-3.
OHL scoring champion Dylan Strome sent the capacity crowd of over 4,500 home disappointed when he scored the game winning goal halfway through the fourth period.
The win gives the Otters a commanding 3-1 series lead heading back to Pennsylvania for game five Friday night.
Despite the outcome, it was another thrilling game from start to finish.
Buoyed by the raucous crowd, the Sting again started fast, scoring all their goals in the first period for a 3-0 lead.
Hayden Hodgson got the home team on the board in the first minute, Kevin Spinozzi followed with a shorthanded goal two minutes later and Jordan Kyrou continued his strong play with a goal at 12:58.
Devin Williams was pulled from the Erie net after giving up three goals on six shots and was replaced by Daniel Dekoning who stopped all 17 shots he faced the rest of the way.
The Sting led 3-1 after 40 minutes but their lead disappeared in just over a minute to open the third.
Overage goaltender Taylor Dupuis again gave his team a chance to win, making 41 saves on 45 shots including stopping Strome on an overtime breakaway.
The Sting held consensus number one NHL pick Connor McDavid to just one assist.
Rookie defenseman Jakob Chychrun remains out of the Sting lineup with what's thought to be a nagging shoulder problem but forward Brandon Lindberg returned from injury.
The Sting must win in Erie Friday to force game six in Sarnia Easter Sunday.
Listen to all the action on 103.9 FM, 1070 AM, CHOK.
