Pastujov, Martone lead Sting to blowout win over Spitfires

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Hours after the Windsor Spitfires pulled off another pre-deadline trade Friday, Sasha Pastujov gave a reminder the Sarnia Sting have made some pretty big moves, too.

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Pastujov, who arrived in November from the Guelph Storm, had two goals and two assists in the Sting’s 7-1 win before a crowd of 4,113 at Progressive Auto Sales Arena.

The 19-year-old Anaheim Ducks prospect has 11 goals and 16 assists in 14 games since being acquired for Max Namestnikov and four draft picks.

Porter Martone, the Sting’s 2022 first-round draft pick, enjoyed his first career two-goal game as the Sting built a 6-0 lead over the Spitfires after two periods.

Ty Voit, Marko Sikic and Zach Filak also scored.

Nick Surzycia lost his bid for his first career shutout when Matthew Maggio potted the Spitfires’ lone goal at 7:34 of the third period. He finished with 24 saves.

Sting netminder Ben Gaudreau was back after winning gold with Team Canada at the world junior championship Thursday in Halifax, but he had the night off. While he greeted fans and signed autographs, Dylan Grover dressed as Surzycia’s backup.

Head coach Alan Letang was also back on the Sting’s bench after serving as a Team Canada assistant coach.

The Sting put on a good show for their boss right from the start. They outshot the Spitfires 17-8 in the first period and led 2-0 at the intermission.

Aidan Castle and Rodwin Dionicio debuted with the Spitfires after being acquired Friday from the Niagara IceDogs for Chris O’Flaherty, Bronson Ride and two draft picks.

The Spitfires also picked up Brett Harrison from the Oshawa Generals and Jacob Holmes from the Sudbury Wolves earlier in the week for a total of 11 draft picks.

The OHL trade deadline is at noon Monday for overagers and noon Tuesday for all other players.

The Sting were busy well before the deadline, landing Pastujov in November and high-scoring defenceman Christian Kyrou from the Erie Otters in December for Alexis Daviault and five draft picks.

The Spitfires won three in a row and 10 of 12 before Friday to move into a second-place tie in the Western Conference, one point behind the London Knights.

The Sting (17-12-4-2) slowed the Spitfires’ climb while keeping their share of fourth place. Sarnia and Owen Sound each have 40 points, 11 back of London.

Martone and Pastujov scored in the first period for the 2-0 lead.

OHL scoring leader Voit buried his 10th goal at 6:35 of the second off Pastujov’s pass from behind the net, then the Sting turned the game into a rout with two goals 14 seconds apart.

Sikic took a pass from Filak and scored from the slot at 12:14. Martone followed at 12:28 with a highlight-reel goal, going from his backhand to his forehand in front of the Spitfires’ net before lifting a shot over Matt Onuska.

Filak scored the Sting’s sixth goal later in the period to chase Onuska, who made 21 saves. Joey Costanzo came in to stop 14 of 15 shots.

The Sting were coming off back-to-back losses to the first-place Knights the previous weekend. They’ll go for their second straight win Sunday in Erie.