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ST.
THOMAS – The Sarnia Legionnaires gave an early
Christmas present to the St. Thomas Stars here last
night.
Coach Dan Rose's Western Ontario Hockey Conference
club turned in a sloppy effort on its way to a 7-4
drubbing.
Rose said the Legionnaires presented the Stars five
goals through careless play.
"We
stood around and watched them,” he said.
The
loss sends the Legion crew into the holidays with a
16-14-3 record.
Sarnia is sixth in the nine-team conference, two
points back of fifth place St. Marys and five behind
fourth ranked St. Thomas.
Disastrous start
The
Legionnaires got behind the eight-ball early,
surrendering two goals in the first minute and two
seconds of the contest.
But
the Sarnians rallied after that, and made a game of
it, at least for a time.
Nathan Mater got the road team rolling at 14:22 when
he snapped home a wrist shot that went in high on
the goalie's glove side. The goal, his eighth of the
year, was unassisted.
Ilya Arkalov deadlocked matters less than two
minutes later when he defected in his sixth of the
campaign. Steve Farlow and Tanner Ferguson drew
assists.
But
St. Thomas scored not long after that to take a
one-goal lead into the first intermission.
In
the middle frame the Stars again struck for two
quick goals to take a 5-2 lead.
Once again, 16-year-old Mater got the Legionnaires
close, jamming home a powerplay marker from the side
of the net. Jesse Dydak and Shawn Waldie drew
assists on what was Mater's second of the game and
ninth of the year.
Third period donnybrook
The
clubs traded goals in the first part of the third
period, with St. Thomas going ahead 6-3 before Brent
Sauve banged in a cross-ice pass to make the score
close. Brett Thompson and Arkalov got helpers on the
goal, which was Sauve's ninth of the season. It came
at 12:13.
But
the game got out of hand after that, with three
fights breaking out. Because all three scraps took
place during the last 10 minutes of the contest, the
six pugilists will be suspended for at least one
game each.
For
Sarnia, those getting early showers included Owen
Rogers, Mater and Jeff Paulley.
Game notes:
·
The
Legionnaires were playing without goalie Kyle Washer
and forward Tanner Tomlinson, both of whom were
serving a one-game suspension.
·
Zack Lippiat of the Mooretown Flags was Sarnia's
backup netminder.
·
The
Legionnaires were an impressive 2-for-4 with the man
advantage. St. Thomas was 1-for-11.
·
Sarnia Sting draft pick Blake Thomas had two goals
the Stars.
·
Mike Reed took the loss in net after giving up seven
goals on 41 shots. Sarnia had 30 shots on the St.
Thomas cage. |
