The Sarnia Legionnaires will try to get back to the .500 mark tonight when they host the Lambton Shores Predators.
 

Here's a preview of the contest:

 

WHO – Sarnia Legionnaires (11-12-5) vs. Lambton Shores Predators (4-22-0)

WHEN – Tonight (Thursday, Dec. 3) at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE – Sarnia Arena

SIGNIFICANCE – The Legionnaires are looking to get back into the win column after being dumped 5-1 last Friday in St. Marys. And they need the two points if they are to keep their hopes of finishing among the top four in the Western Conference alive. The top four teams get home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Predators, on the other hand, are trying to catch the Leamington Flyers for the eighth and final playoff spot. Leamington has an eight point lead, but the Preds have three games in hand.

 

WHO TO WATCH

 

Lambton Shores – Big defenceman Ben Woodley has five points in his last five games (two goals and three assists).

 

Sarnia – Tanner Tomlinson has scored two goals in his last two games.

 

NEW FACE – The Legionnaires will have a new face in the lineup. Stay-at-home defenceman Jordan Leyser has been obtained from the Strathroy Rockets in exchange for centre Derek Nap. The 18-year-old Leyser had one goal and three assists with the Rockets. Last year, he played Jr. 'C' hockey in New Hamburg.
 

Leyser may be needed on the blueline because the Legionnaires announced defenceman Anthony Donati will be playing full-time with the Sarnia Sting. Donati had nine goals and three assists in just eight games with the Legion crew this season.
 

Former Legionnaire Jordan Black, who can play either defence or forward, has been sent to the Wallaceburg Lakers Jr. 'C' club in exchange for cash.

HISTORY – Sarnia won the previous two games between the clubs this year, 7-3 in Forest and 12-2 at the Brock Street Barn. Last year, the Legionnaires won five of six games between the teams, but they needed extra time to get two of those victories.

 

OVERCONFIDENCE FACTOR – Lambton Shores could make things interesting if the Legionnaires take them for granted. This is a club that recently beat the LaSalle Vipers and the St. Thomas Stars. They also lost a heartbreaking 2-1 decision in Chatham. As Sarnia coach Jeff Perry has pointed out, the Preds have been playing much better since their last visit to Sarnia.