The Sarnia Legionnaires continue to struggle against top teams.

The Legion Crew was blanked 4-0 in London Wednesday, dropping its second Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League game in a row.

With the setback, the defending Western Jr. 'B' champions are now in fifth place, one point back of fourth place Chatham and two behind third ranked St. Marys.

Their record now stands at 9-8-5, leaving them just one win above the .500 mark.

Their losses have included two defeats at the hands of the first place London Nationals and another two against the second place Strathroy Rockets. They have also been defeated by Stratford, which is the top team in the Midwest Conference.

Things don't get any easier tonight, when the Legionnaires host the Rockets at the Brock Street Barn. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Some have speculated that it may be a rough game because the two clubs engaged in a donnybrook last Saturday in Strathroy. In that one eight players were thrown out and 43 penalties were called.

But Sarnia assistant coach Lee Barnes said the rematch may be a different story.

"You never know, sometimes that's just a lot of hype,” he said. “Both teams need to come out and play hard and try to get the two points.”

He added the Legionnaires won't be able to afford to take a lot of penalties. “Strathroy has a really good power-play,” he pointed out. “They have three or four really top forwards. We have to stay out of the penalty box.”

After tonight's game the Legionnaires are home Saturday to the Leamington Flyers. A week from tonight they host the LaSalle Vipers.

• Kyle Washer took the loss in net last night, stopping 27 of 31 shots. The Legionnaires fired 26 shots on London's goal.

• Sarnia played without captain Tyler Cicchini, who missed his second consecutive game with an upper body injury. Barnes said he may be ready to return to action tonight.

• The setback marked the second straight time the Nats have blanked Sarnia. London defeated the Legionnaires 3-0 in a game at the Sarnia Arena last month.

• London now has an 18-2-1 record and a seven point lead over Strathroy in the race for first place.

• In other league action, LaSalle edged St. Marys 4-3 in overtime.