Jon Maillet For The Journal
Sarnia Legionnaires took a 4-0 lead into the third period, despite being outshot 18-3 in the final frame, held on to beat the LaSalle Vipers 4-2 at the Pat Stapleton Arena Thursday night.
Jack Martin made 36 saves in the win, setting aside the first 20 shots through two periods, and withstanding a barrage of shots in the third to pick up his fifth win of the season.
“I’m really happy with the effort tonight,” Legionnaires coach Brian Irwin said of the win.
“I thought it was really sound. I thought we did the stuff we talked about pregame about defending hard and not giving up the middle of the ice and getting on top of guys in the neutral zone — I thought the guys had a fantastic night defensively.”
Sarnia outshot the Vipers through the first two periods, including a second period where the shots were 19-10 in favour of the Legionnaires.
Jimmy Monks put the Legionnaires ahead early; his third goal of the season came just before the five-minute mark of the first. Cameron Graham picked up the lone assist on the goal.
Less than two minutes later, Ty Therrien scored his seventh of the season, lifting Sarnia to a 2-0 lead. Matthew Anderson had the assist on a goal some questioned whether it had gone in. The light did not come on, however the official was in position saying the puck hit the back bar.
Ty Moffat would start the second period with a quick tally — his sixth of the season made it 3-0. Graham and Monks had the assists.
It was clear LaSalle had some frustrations, taking nine straight penalties. Despite all the additional ice, Sarnia only capitalized once on Graham’s ninth of the season at the 6:46 mark of the second. Ethan Waddick and Wesley Brooks had assists on the goal that put Sarnia up 4-0.
Through two periods, the Legionnaires led the shot clock 32-20 thanks to the nine powerplays.
“We kinda talked at the end of the second around the penalty situation, we were 9-1 in penalties at the end of the second, fully expecting they’d get their powerplay chances in the third,” Irwin told the Journal.
Indeed the Vipers did get their chances in the third period, after a powerplay late in the second the Vipers would get three more chances in the third.
LaSalle would get a spark early as Gage Evans picked up his first career GOJHL goal cutting the Sarnia lead to 4-1 just 1:31 into the period.
The Vipers would dominate the second period, only allowing the Legionnaires three shots, and firing 18 at Sarnia goalie Jack Martin. Of the powerplay chances LaSalle got, they could only capitalize on one, that came 7:10 into the third when Owen Findlay scored his second of the season.
Irwin said he was happy with his team defensively.
“A lot of shots from the outside — they have a pretty dynamic powerplay. They snap the puck around well, but we wanted to defend the middle of the ice and keep the shots from the outside. Got some clears when we needed it, got some shot blocks as well.”
Irwin added that they talked pregame about trying to get 10 or more shot blocks, something he believes his team achieved.
“It’s an important win, you know, it’s important for this team to learn how to win hockey games like this,” Irwin remarked on beating one of the top teams
“We knew it wasn’t over at 4-0, the message in the dressing room from the leaders was we need to keep playing, it’s only going to get harder — and like they predicted the third was the stiffest one.”
LaSalle made a late third period push, pulling the goalie with 2:48 left on the clock, but Jack Martin and his defense stood tall holding onto the 4-2 win.
Sarnia now turns their attention to the Komoka Kings, a team that trails the Legionnaires in the standings, but Irwin is confident his team will not get complacent after this win, noting that his leadership group knows there are no easy games in this league.
“I’m not too concerned about that,” said Irwin about whether he was worried his team may be over confident after this win.
“I know we have a young hockey team but we have a really strong leadership group that knows there are no easy games on the schedule. That includes Komoka and Chatham.”
Sarnia is in Komoka Saturday night, for a 7pm start and then they finish the weekend in Chatham to take on the Maroons Sunday night.