Sarnia Legionnaires
2009 - 2010


By Dan McCaffery

Sarnia Legionnaires
 

Here's a look at tonight's crucial Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League game in Sarnia:

WHO: Sarnia Legionnaires (8-5-4) vs. Chatham Maroons (8-7-0)

WHERE: Sarnia Arena

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tonight (Thursday, Oct. 29).

WHOSE HOT: Sarnia – Centre Shawn Waldie had three points in his last outing and now has seven in seven games since joining the Legionnaires. Right-winger Jesse Drydak has eight points in his last three games, including three goals.

Chatham – Young defenceman Keith Maisonville (who wears No. 25) has scored two points in his first two games after returning from the OHL's Niagara Icedogs. Mike Rivard, who wears No. 19, is the team's leading scorer with 14 goals and 24 points in just 15 games.

SIGNIFICANCE: Sarnia needs a victory to keep its modest three-game victory streak alive. And Chatham is almost certainly one of the clubs the Legionnaires must stay ahead of  if they are to nail down one of the top four spots in the Western Conference– and home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

CROWD FACTOR – The Legionnaires are expecting a huge crowd tonight as they wrap up a major drive to help battle breast cancer. If 2,000 fans show up, that could give them an important edge.

HISTORY – Sarnia won the only previous meeting between the two clubs this season, squeaking out a 4-3 win on the road, thanks to three shothanded goals.

Last year, the Legionnaires won five of six games against the Maroons. Their only loss came in a shootout, which means the Sarnians picked up 11 of a possible 12 points in those six contests.

LAST OUTINGS – The Legionnaires won 5-0 at home against the Leamington Flyers, with Jesse Raymond posting his first shutout. Chatham won 4-3 on the road against the St. Thomas Stars.