The good news is that the Sarnia Legionnaires proved Thursday they can play the best team in Western Ontario on even terms when both clubs are at full strength.

The bad news is that they can't yet match the London Nationals when it comes to special teams.

As a result, the Legionnaires were blanked 3-0 at the Brock Street Barn before a crowd of 1,180 fans.

The game was closer than the score would indicate. In fact, Sarnia out-shot the Nats by a 31-24 margin.

London, which came into the contest with a 10-1-1 record, needed a pair of powerplay goals and an empty-netter to get the win.

Sarnia was 0-for-six with the man advantage.

The Legionnaires controlled the play in London's end for prolonged periods with the man advantage, but seldom got into position for a dangerous thrust on net.

“I didn't think our top-end players were very good executing,” Coach Jeff Perry said. “That was the difference in the game. They scored two powerplay goals and we had a lot of top-end players fumbling the puck.”

He added, “Five-on-five I thought we played a pretty patient game.”
 

Newly acquired goalie Jesse Raymond looked sharp, blocking 21 shots. Included in that total was a great glove save on a breakaway.

“He looked very good, he's a big goalie who's composed in the net,” Perry said. “He's going to be a very strong addition to our hockey club. Along with Kyle Washer, he gives us the best goaltending tandem in the league.”

• London goalie Mike Coulter, who made 31 saves, was the game's first star. Sarnians Shawn Waldie and Kyle Flemington were second and third stars respectively.

• Shaun Furlong, Chris MacKay and Stephen Sanza scored for the winners, who have outscored their competition 29-2 over the past four games.

• The Legionnaires now have a 5-5-4 record and are tied for fourth place in the Western Conference with Chatham. The Maroons have two games in hand. The top four clubs in the nine-team conference will get home ice advantage in the playoffs.

• Sarnia is in LaSalle next Wednesday, then plays home to St. Thomas on Thursday, Oct. 22. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m.