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Legionnaires Wins Season/Home Opener

wednesday september 10, 2014


 


Captain Nathan Mater slides one past to score first goal of the season

 

The Sarnia Legionnaires opened the 2014-2015 Greater Ontario Jr B Hockey League season in front of 1,076 home town fans and they didn't disappoint taking a 6 - 4 win over the 2014 Western Conference Champions Leamington Flyers.

 

"A great effort." Head Coach Dan Rose said  "We scored early and that was not necessarily a good thing as I think the boys let up a little bit. That team over there has got 12 – 13 guys from last year championship team so they know how to play."


It took just twenty seconds into the game for the red light to light up after Legionnaires Captain Nathan Mater found the opening from an awkward position.  Riley Roberts and Tyler Prong earned the assist on the first goal of the season.

 

After the first goal Leamington went on and scored three goals to give the Flyers a 3 - 1 lead after the first period.  Scoring for the Flyers were Cale Phibbs, Thomas Virban (PP) and Chris Scott.

 

In the second on the power play Kyler Keating took the shot from the blueline that hit the stick of Riley Babkirk that found the back of the net.  Bobby King earned an assist on the play.  At 15:05 Cameron Clarke from Nathan Mater set the play passing it over to Jay Clarke who punched it in to even the score. Score remained tied 3 - 3 at the end of the second period.

 


Another Diving shot by Mater regains lead for the Legionnaires

 

 

In the third Mater beat the netminder again taking the shot as on his way down to give Sarnia the 4 - 3 lead.  Jay Clarke and Kyler Keating earned the assist on the play. 


Keating wearing #28 recently traded from Lambton Shores playing in his first Legionnaires game scored his first goal of the season that turned out to be the game winner on a power play with Tyler Longo and Brandon Layman assisting that gave Sarnia a 5 - 3 lead. 

"It was a pass out to the point kind of shot it and it went in over the goalie shoulder." Keating said describing the game winning goal.

"I didn’t at all expect to have a good game in my debut as a Legionnaire." Keating said  . There was a little bit of nerves being the first game big game in front of the home crowd but I’m more comfortable now I will just go from there"

Leamington fought back and at 18:49 with the extra attacker Alex Friesen scored to narrow the gap.  With the net still empty Riley Babkirk secured the win for the Legionnaires scoring into the empty net. 

Kyler Keating earned his 4th point of the game with an assist on the play.  Bobby King was also given an assist.

 

"Keating played really well. I thought Trottier had a great game, our Captain Nathan Mater he came up big for us and showed why he’s the captain but everybody competed hard tonight." Rose said

 

Leamington outshot Sarnia 31-25.  Hunter Johnson earned the win in net for the Legionnaires making twenty seven saves,  Trevor Wheaton made nineteen saves in net for the Flyers.

 

 

"Hunter is consistent, we know he’s not going to allow a lot of goals." Rose said about his starting goalie. "You have to work hard to beat him and that team does work hard. That last goal that they got was a beauty it was fun to watch. Even though it was their goal that was an amazing goal."


"Other than that I thought our guys in general played really well it’s a good first game in our barn our compete level is where I like to see it."

 

Sarnia scored twice on ten power play opportunities, Leamington scored one on four.

 

"We got to work on our power play." Rose said "That team there has the best PK in the league and they have for the last three years so they really tested us tonight.  "We just threw those units together before the game tonight, so the kids hadn’t even played together yet."

 

The Legionnaires are back in action at home this Thursday September 11 when they host Strathroy.  Game time is set for 7:10 at the Sarnia Arena.


 

- Meet the Newcomers -

not pictured #30 Cornel Felder
Goalie - Hometown Petrolia, On
Attended Hill Academy last season.



#6 Tyler Longo
Forward - Etobicoke, On
Played for the Toronto Young Nationals last year
earned an assist in opening game

 

#7 Sam McCormack
Defence - Hometown Sarnia, On
Last season was with the Mooretown Flags Jr. C

 


#24 Cameron Clarke
Defence - Hometown Toledo, OH USA
Making his debut in Canada.  Played for the Michigan Hounds last season.

earned an assist in the opening game
 

 

#25 Ryan Trottier
Forward - Home town Petrolia, On
Last season played for Lambton Shores Predators
 



 





 

 

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