Dogged determination wasn't enough to get the Sarnia Legionnaires a win last night.

Coach Jeff Perry's Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League team worked tirelessly for 60 minutes, but ended up on the short end of a 5-2 score to the visiting London Nationals.

The Nats outshot the defending Western Jr. 'B' champions 60-44 but scoring chances were about equal. And London got one of its goals with a long-range shot into an empty Sarnia net in the final minute of play.

If there was a difference in the game, it was the finesse demonstrated by the first-place Nats, who did a better job of finishing off good chances.

Special teams also played a huge role, with Sarnia going 0-5 with the extra man, while London was two-for-six.

Afterward, Perry expressed the opinion that the Nationals can be beaten, despite their 27-3-2 record. But to do that, the Legionnaires will have to “bear down” when they have a powerplay.

Jesse Drydak, with his team-leading 19^th of the season, and Josh Teschke with his sixth, got the Legionnaire goals. Assists went to Owen Rogers, Jake Unsworth, Shawn Waldie and goalie Jesse Raymond.

Sarnia missed a number of great chances, including a breakaway by Drydak in the second period.

• Attendance was 1,078.

• Adam McKee had two goals and two assists to earn first star honours. London's Marcus Pepe was second star and Raymond third.
   

• The Legionnaires are now 13-13-5, while London is 27-3-2.