STRATHROY – The Sarnia Legionnaires staggered into the Christmas break here last night, losing for the fourth time in their last five games.

Coach Jeff Perry's Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League team dropped a 5-1 decision to the Strathroy Rockets.

The contest was close, except for a ninety-second span early in the second frame in which the home team scored three goals.

Jesse Drydak had the only Sarnia goal, blinking the red light for the 22^nd time this campaign. Captain Tyler Cicchini got the lone assist.

Overall, the club has a record of 14-16-5, good enough for sixth place in the nine-team Western Conference.

Perry said the holidays couldn't come at a better time, adding he hopes the players will use the time off to regroup and come back with a fresh mind set.

He added the Legionnaires will hold a New Year's practice, then resume regular drills Jan. 4.

They return to action Jan. 7 when they host the St. Thomas Stars.

If there's any consolation for fans of the defending Western Jr. 'B' champions, it's the fact that the final 15 games of the regular schedule include seven games against clubs that are below Sarnia in the standings.

But he club's chances of getting one of the top four sports in the standings (and home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs) all but disappeared with the loss to the Rockets. That's because Sarnia is now 10 points back of fourth ranked Strathroy.

On the positive side, the Legionnaires have virtually locked up a playoff spot, with a 25-point bulge on ninth place Lambton Shores.

• Jesse Raymond took the loss in net, despite the fact that he stopped 38 pucks. Rockets goalie Blair Bennett, who was named the third star, made two dozen saves in picking up the victory. It was the second time in two games that the opposing netminder has been named a star.

• Former Legionnaire Derek Nap had an assist for the Rockets.

• Strathroy was 3-for-8 on the powerplay, while Sarnia was 0-for5.

• Owen Rogers missed the game with the flu.

• There were 29 penalties assessed last night, including fighting majors to Sarnians Jake Unsworth and Jeff Paulley.

• Sarnia continues to be a top draw on the road. There were more than 700 fans at the game last night, well above Strathroy's average.