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Legionnaires shutout Rockets to open preseason
andrew brethauer August 25th, 2011

Sarnia, ON - Leading with three powerplay goals in the second period, the Sarnia Legionnaires opened their 2011 preseason against the Strathroy Rockets with a 4-0 victory, with all four goals coming in the second period.

Braden Palocz started the game for Sarnia, while Kyle Washer finished it up and completed the shutout.

Sarnia gained momentum after the first, as the Legionnaires killed off a 4 minute powerplay at the end of the first, only to come out in the second and score 44 seconds into the period. Tyler Cicchini picked up a Michael Gray rebound, and chipped it over the shoulder of Rockets goalie Dalen Kuchmey to make it 1-0.

Sarnia would make it 2-0 on their second powerplay of the period, as Adam Lane would win the faceoff back to Jeff Paulley, who set up Kyle Constantine for a one timer that beat Kuchmey. Strathroy would make a goalie changed midway through the period, putting in Jack Moylan, but the first shot he faced soon after entering the net was a Cody Schmidt laser that went just under the crossbar to make it 3-0.

Before the period ended, Sarnia would tally in one more goal, as Chad Beauchamp's shot from the point would go off the end boards and come out to a Ilya Arkalov who put it into the open net, giving the Legionnaires a comfortable lead heading into the third.

"I was really impressed," said Head Coach Dan Rose. "There was a great group of kids out there and they worked really really hard. There wasn't a kid on the ice for us that didn't show us something that they could do. They competed hard, there were good plays made, we're really excited."

Rose called the speed and competition of his team a pleasure to watch, as the Legionnaires controlled the action, and cut off entry to the net, making it easier for Palocz and Washer to make saves.

Sarnia's performance also showcased a more disciplined Legionnaires. A team that draws penalties and capitalizes on them rather then taking them. Sarnia ranked second in the Western Conference in penalty minutes last year with 1222minutes, and were giving up a powerplay goal a game, only killing off 75% of their penalties. Tonight, the Legionnaires were 3 for 3 on the penalty kill, and 3 for 8 on the powerplay

"We'll be way more disciplined and our powerplay will be better," said Rose. " The kids are a year older, and their a year more mature so they don't panic. Kids like Matt Cimetta, they're 16 years old but they're skilled. And once you have skill on your powerplay and patience, [scoring] is what happens." 

Sarnia played without two big offensive threats in Jesse Drydak and Jason Teschke. Despite them not in the line up, Rose says it was fun to watch kids do well.

Sarnia will take on the Rockets again in Strathroy on Saturday, August 27th before playing a home and home with London.

 


 

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