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"We have a lot of work to do" said Coach Dan Rose after the Legionnaires took a 4 - 3 loss in overtime against the LaSalle Vipers in their Greater Ontario Hockey League home opener.

"We have a lot of talent, they need to understand how to play as a group of five." said Rose "We did not play well as a group of five in any zone tonight"

 

The two teams went scoreless in the first period and it wasn't until 8:59 in the second when rookie Hunter Tyczynski, a Barrie Colts draft pick opened the scoring for Sarnia.  LaSalle answered back a minute and twelve seconds later to tie with Nathan Savage scoring.  At 17:15 another rookie Zack Tuchklaper took the lead for Sarnia and the period ended with Sarnia ahead 2 - 1.

 

Just :36 seconds into the final period Derek D'Andrea widened the lead after taking a shot through traffic in front of the net.  LaSalle narrowed the gap just over four minutes later when Ben Hanus found the back of the net.  Time was running out for LaSalle and in the last minute they pulled their goalie for the extra man that paid off as Blake Jones scored the equalizer sending the game into five minute overtime.  With a 1:38 left in overtime LaSalle came up with the loose puck in front and scored.  Brendan McCann scored the winning goal.

 

"Sean Parker played well" said Rose.  Parker turned away 36 of 40 shots.  Taylor Speed earned the win for LaSalle with 23 saves.

 

 "Good individual efforts, but it's going to be a work in progress everyday,  we will get better as we keep working on things" said Rose

 

The Legionnaires are back in action on Friday when they travel to St. Mary's to take on the Lincolns.