By Dan McCaffery
Sarnia Legionnaires coach Mark Davis
blamed poor officiating for his team's 3-2 double overtime loss to
the LaSalle Vipers Thursday.
A visibly upset Davis said his squad deserved to win the contest –
played before more than 1,300 fans at the Brock Street barn – in
regulation time.
But a controversial goaltender interference call against Sarnia's
Brock Perry led to the tying goal in the third period.
"Perry stopped when he went into the crease. . . the goalie grabbed
him by the legs and held him,” Davis said.
After the penalty was assessed, goaltender Paolo Baptisti could be
seen with a wide grin on his face as he lifted his mask to take a
drink.
Blake Jones connected on the ensuing power play to deadlock the game
at 2-2 with just over seven minutes left in regulation time.
Davis was also livid about a controversial too-many-men on the ice
penalty that led to LaSalle's first goal.
Except for the officiating, the bench boss thought it was a good
game for his charges.
"Our guys, from the goaltender on out, played their guts out,” he
said.
In fact, the Legion crew outshot the visitors 40-33.
Rookie goalie Adian Hughes played a good game in Sarnia's net, the
coach said.
Jarret Marks opened the scoring early in the second stanza, after
being set up by Perry and Captain Hunter Tyczynski. For Marks, it
was his fourth of the campaign.
Eric Kirby tied the contest almost three minutes later, but Brandon
Layman put the Legionnaires ahead just before the mid-point of the
period. The goal, Layman's team-leading 10th of the season, was set
up by Ryan Vendramin and Jordan Fogarty.
In overtime both Vendramin and Marks came close to winning the game
for Sarnia.
