|
The
Sarnia Legionnaires are in an optimistic mood as
they prepare to close out 2010 with a game tonight
against the Lambton Shores Predators.
The
contest, which is officially a road game for Sarnia,
will be played at 7:30 p.m. at the RBC Centre.
Originally, the encounter was to have been held last
month in Forest. But a scheduling conflict forced
the Preds to book the big rink on the Lambton
College campus for Dec. 30.
Needless to say, Legionnaires flex passes won't work
because this is not a Sarnia home game. All proceeds
will go to the Lambton Shores club.
Regardless of where the game is played, the
Legionnaires are happy to get back into action after
a short Christmas break.
"I
think we'll go a lot further than most people
predicted at the beginning of the season, said Kyle
Washer, who is slated to get the start in Sarnia's
net tonight. It's a new year and we have a new
spirit.
Coach Dan Rose said there's a rivalry between Sarnia
and Lambton Shores that hasn't diminished despite
the fact that the Predators have struggled in the
standings.
In
fact, the Preds have a number of good athletes,
including some who always give a great effort
against Sarnia because they were cut by the
Legionnaires. They are proud players, worthy of
respect, he continued.
SHORTHANDED
The
Legionnaires will be a little shorthanded tonight.
Defenceman Jeff Paulley and forward Owen Rogers are
out with suspensions picked up during a donnybrook
in St. Thomas just before the Christmas break while
Jordan MacBeath, Brett Thompson, Jeff Schroeter and
Tyler Cicchini are on vacation. There's an outside
chance that Cicchini, who is slated to arrive at
Detroit's airport around 5 p.m., could make it for
the game.
Rose said four players will be called up from the
Mooretown Flags Jr. 'C' squad to fill the gaps. They
include Jason Teschke, who has 26 goals so far this
season, his brother, Josh, who has 17, and Mike
Burns, who has scored 22 times. Derek D'Andrea, who
has played most of the year with the Legionnaires,
is also being called up from the Flags for the game.
Still, Rose pointed out Sarnia is one of the few
teams that has beaten all eight of its Western
Ontario Hockey Conference rivals this season.
Because of that, We expect to win every game.
Lambton Shores is in last place in the nine-team
WOHC with a 4-25-0 record. The Predators have lost
their last 10 games. Sarnia has won seven of its
last 10 and sits in sixth spot with a 16-14-3
record.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The
Predators have a powerplay unit that is clicking at
a 14.1 per cent success rate. Their penalty killers
get the job done 68.5 per cent of the time.
The
Legionnaires score once in every five opportunities
with the man advantage. When it comes to escaping
from shorthanded situations, Sarnia is successful
76.7 per cent of the time.
HISTORY
The
Legionnaires won the previous three encounters
between the clubs this season, taking 9-3 and 4-2
decisions in Sarnia, while winning 7-3 in Forest.
Lifetime, the Legionnaires have defeated the
Predators 14 times in 15 tries. But several of those
wins have been heartstoppers, including a few that
went into extra time.
|
