The visiting Hamilton Bulldogs edged the Sting 4-3 spoiling Sarnia's opening game of the Ontario Hockey League's regular season.
The Sting led 1-0 after the first period on a goal from newcomer Sam Bitten, formerly of the Ottawa 67's.
Three minutes into the second period Arthur Kaliyev tied the game at one.
Following the goal veteran Sting forward Jamieson Rees was assessed a five minute match penalty for a head check. He's facing another potentially long suspension after serving eight games late last season for a blindside hit.
The Bulldogs would take the lead on a goal by Lawson Sherk at the 15:29 mark of the second frame.
Sarnia's Brayden Guy made it 2-2 with two minutes left in the period.
Hamilton would make the score 4-2 in the third period on goals from Tag Bertuzzi and Ryan Winterton.
Joseph Mack, newly acquired from the Erie Otters, scored a power play goal for Sarnia at the 14:48 mark of the period to round out the scoring.
Ethan Langevin stopped 28 of 32 shots for Sarnia while Zachary Roy turned aside 28 Sarnia shots.
The game was played before an opening night crowd of 3,460 at Progressive Auto Sales Arena.
The Sting are idle until next Friday when they host the Saginaw Spirit on 103.9 FM - 1070 AM CHOK.
