In an energized Sarnia arena before 1200 hockey fans the Sarnia Legionnaires defeated the 3rd place Chatham Maroons with a final score of
7 - 4. 

"That was fun." Legionnaires head coach Dan Rose said "That was a good game that had a real playoff atmosphere. Those boys were going at it hard at it tonight - both teams."

In the first period a result of a power play Chatham lit op the score board first at 6:15 by Adam Arseneault.

Ryan Vendramin evened the score after taking an angle shot that found a hole stick side of  Jacob Keogh. Cody Trowell and Thomas Moxley earned assists on the goal.  Thomas Moxley shot a rocket from the blueline that surprised everyone as it hit the back of the net to give the Legionnaires the 2 - 1 lead at 18:25.  The lead was short lived as Kyle Brothers scored in the last minute of play to even the score 2 - 2 heading into the second.

Solid action continued and Jay Clarke scored the only goal in the second period giving the Legionnaires the 3 - 2 lead after two periods.

In just :02 seconds shy of four minutes of play in the third period five goals were scored. (three for Sarnia, two for Chatham)

The first goal took just :34 seconds before the red light lit for the visitors sides as Adam Arseneault evened the score one again.  The energy level started to rise even more after Cody Trowell blasted a shot from the faceoff to make it 4 - 3 for Sarnia at 1:08. Ryan Vendramin and Davis Boyer earned the assists. 

After the 4th goal Chatham made a goal tending change and Brendan Johnston replace Keogh. Sarnia kept charging and Hunter Tyczynski widen the lead at 1:51 with Riley Babkirk and Jordan Fogarty assisting. Josh Kestner skating in alone at 3:33 scoring the sixth Sarnia's sixth goal and :25 second later at 3:58 Chatham scored their final goal by Michael Verboom.

Chatham pulled their goalie for the extra man in the final minute only to have Josh Kestner skate it in for the final goal.

I have great chemistry with them (Nathan Mater and Jay Clark) they are great teammates." Kestner said "I had a good dish with speed on the first one, the second Clarkie just lifted it over the D's head couldn't do anything else but slide it in."

At times the play got rough and as they say the referee's put their whistles away.  Chatham was handed 12 penalty minutes on 6 infractions, Sarnia took 8 minutes on 4 infractions.  Chatham scored one goal on two power play opportunities, Sarnia went zero on four chances.

"The ref's decided to put their whistles away today which necessarily isn't a bad thing as long as they are doing it both ways.  It was a chippy game but it was a well fought battle." Kestner said

Sarnia outshot Chatham 47 - 19.  Hunter Johnson earned the win made 15 saves in the game.  For Chatham 31 shots was fired at Jacob Keogh and he made 27 saves.  Brendan Johnston who replaced Johnson in the third made 13 saves on 15 shots.

"That was a team effort." Rose said "Cody Trowell played really really well, that was probably Hunter Tyczynski best game of the year. He played hard and our regulars played hard, everyone played hard tonight."

"We didn't lose to many battles we made a couple of mistakes and they scored on the mistakes. And when you make mistakes when those big guns are on the ice the pucks will be in the net.  We can correct those mistakes but our compete level was exactly where we want it.  We were really proud of them today."

The Legionnaires (26-16-2) are now tied for fourth place with London (27-18-0). They are in St. Thomas Friday night to take on the Stars.