A strong road effort wasn't enough to dethrone the first place Rangers, as Kitchener held on to beat Sarnia 3-2.
Hayden Hodgson's second of the season opened the scoring just under four minutes into the contest. Kitchener responded with a powerplay goal from Gustaf Franzen in the period's final minutes to close the first frame at a 1-1 tie.
Sarnia carried the play for a good chunk of the first period but that was not the case in the second.
The struggling Sting powerplay proved costly as Nick McHugh score a shorthanded marker to give Kitchener a lead they would not relinquish. Later in the frame, Ryan MacInnis potted his 13th of the season, a powerplay goal, to open a 3-1 Kitchener lead. Jordan Kyrou scored his first goal of the season shortly after to bring the Sting within a goal.
The Sting were unable to take advantage of opportunities in the third period, including a four minute power play. They outshot Kitchener 8-3 in the frame but were unable to find an equalizer.
Luke Opilka made 32 saves for Kitchener as the Rangers held on to the 3-2 win. Justin Fazio turned aside 25 shots for Sarnia in a losing cause.
Sarnia's week continues Friday when they travel to Flint, before hosting the Guelph Storm Saturday.
