CHATHAM – The Sarnia Legionnaires broke out of their scoring slump in spectacular fashion here last night.

After blinking the red light just twice in their previous two games, coach Jeff Perry's Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League squad scored early and often on their way to a 9-3 triumph over the Chatham Maroons.

The win left the Sarnians with a 4-6 won-lost record, good enough for a four-way tie for fifth place with Chatham, St. Marys and London in the league's Western Conference.

Pretty goals

Owen Rogers led the Legionnaires with a goal (his second of the season) and three assists. The little centre scored the winner at 14:06 of the second period, breaking up a tense 3-3 deadlock in the process.

"We scored two really nice goals on the same shift to break the tie,” Perry said afterward. “Andy Sokol sent a pretty pass off the rush that Owen redirected to the net and it went through the five-hole.”

Fourteen seconds later, “Chase Chark blew a slapshot in high glove. It certainly shifted the momentum.” For the veteran Clark, it was his fourth of the campaign and 47^th of his career.

Brent Sauve, who was named the game's first star, had two goals and an assist. He now has sixth goals on the season, or two more than he picked up all last winter.

"Brent has probably been our most consistent player,” the coach said. “He's the consummate team player. He'll play forward or defence and he never complains. All he wants to do is play.”

Sauve, who normally plays forward, got both goals last night while patrolling the blueline.

Tanner Tomlinson also lit up the lamp twice, getting his first two goals in the process.

"Our leaders led tonight,” Perry said. “They stepped up. It certainly shows that when you play structured hockey, you get results. Now we have to become consistent.”

Other Sarnia marksmen included Brett Thompson (with his fifth) and Derek D'Andrea and Andy Sokol, both of whom found the back of the net for the second time this year.

Acrobatic goalie

Acrobatic Sarnia goalie Kyle Washer turned back 40 shots to register his fourth win of the season (against just one loss).
Washer now has a sparkling 2.83 GAA (goals-against-average) and a save percentage of .919.

Overall, the Legionnaires outshot the Maroons 46-43.

"Washer was good but goaltending has been the least of our concerns this year,” Perry said. “Both of our goalies have played well all year.”

On the powerplay, Sarnia was 3-for-7, while Chatham was 2-for-3.

• Sauve was first star, Rogers second and Chatham's Sean Myers (who had two goals) was third.

• The Legionnaires played without Jesse Drydak (suspended), captain Tyler Cicchini and defenceman Tanner Ferguson (both injured) and Ilya Arkolav (still awaiting permission from Hockey Canada to suit up).

• In addition to the three assists credited to Rogers, Clark had two helpers. Single setups went to Nathan Mater, Jeff Paulley, Braden Kavaratizs, Steve Farlow, Sokol, Jordan McBeath, Sauve and Shawn Waldie.

• The Legionnaires are home Thursday to the Lambton Shores Predators. Game time at the Brock Street Barn is 7:10 p.m.