It wasn't pretty, but the Sarnia Legionnaires picked up an important win Thursday before a big crowd at the Brock Street Barn. With 1,367 fans looking on, the Legion crew skated away with a 5-2 win over the visitors. But the score was not indicative of the play. In fact, the Stars dominated parts of the second frame and most of the third, outshooting the winners 45-25.

The Legionnaires were running around in their own zone for prolonged periods, often looking as if they were hanging on for dear life.  Coach Jeff Perry said he wasn't happy with his squad's play in the final 20 minutes.  “They've got to learn how to win,” he said. “It's a process. You won't get wins in February and March (without a stronger effort).” Still, he conceded the triumph, which was Sarnia's second in a row, was important. “It's nice to put a couple together. It's two points in the bank. We'll look at the tape and learn from it.”

The victory leaves the Legionnaires alone in third place, one point ahead of the St. Marys Lincolns in the tight Western Conference of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. But the Lincs have three games in hand.

Goalie Kyle Washer, who was named the third star, kept the Legionnaires ahead with good positional play and a hot glove hand.

Sarnia got off to a fast start, with Captain Tyler Cicchini scoring a shorthanded goal less than three minutes into the game. Cicchini, who now has seven on the season, hit the back of the net with a hard wrist shot from the top of the faceoff circle. Defenceman Tommy Ziolkowski picked up an assist.

 

Shortly after that, Owen Rogers made it 2-0 when he slapped a puck into a wide open St. Thomas cage.
 

Jordan Black nearly made it a runaway when he streaked in on a penalty shot, only to be denied by a sprawling Stars netminder.

The momentum seemed to shift at that point, with St. Thomas getting a goal that sent them into the first intermission trailing by only one.

The Stars outshot the Legionnaires 16-7 in the second stanza, but Jesse Drydak got the only goal, giving the home team a two-goal bulge. Drydak scampered into the St. Thomas end on a one-on-two break, skated into the corner and then whipped around and fired home a shot that seemed to catch the goalkeeper unawares.

In the third period St. Thomas outshot the Legionnaires 17-7 and managed to cut the lead to 3-2 before Drydak struck again. This time, he fired the puck between the legs of a Stars defenceman, then jumped on his own rebound, scoring with a high shot that all but put the game out of reach.

Chase Clark rounded out the scoring, backhanding in a powerplay goal from a scramble in front of the net late in the third.

• Drydak was first star, Ziolkowski second star and Washer third star.

• Ziolkowski had two assists, while single helpers went to Cicchini, Clark, Joel Steeves, Shawn Waldie and rapidly-improving blueliner Tanner Ferguson.

• Jordan Gladwish of the Mooretown Flags was Sarnia's backup goalie in place of Jesse Raymond, who was away with the Sting. Perry said Raymond will dress Saturday night when the Legionnaires face the slumping Leamington Flyers at the Sarnia Arena. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

• William Brandon, another Flags star, was also in the lineup. He notched an assist the night before against LaSalle.

• Owen Rogers didn't win a star selection but he was a standout. In addition to his goal, he rang a shot off the goal post and just missed another goal after breaking in alone.

• Sarnia native Dave Morden had one of the Stars goals.

• This Saturday, Oct. 24 the Legionnaires will be unveiling a banner for the 1950 Sarnia Sailors prior to their game with the Leamington Flyers. This game is also a Family Night, with kids 10 and under admitted free.

• The last chance to bid on the team's pink warmup sweaters will be on Oct. 29. Bidding sheets are in the arena lobby.

• On Oct. 29 the first 500 ladies through the door will receive a carnation in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

• The Legionnaires and Breast Buddies are pre-selling tickets for the Oct. 29 game for $5. All proceeds will go to Breast Buddies. Tickets are available at the game, from an executive or at SarniaWeddings.com located in the Northgate Plaza. (beside Williams Pastry)