The Sarnia Legionnaires (16-11-1-3) took the first place London Nationals (23-6-0-2) to overtime, but lost 6-5 Thursday night in an exciting GOJHL hockey game at the Brock St. Barn. It was London's 11th victory in their past 12 games.
Alec DeKoning opened the scoring for the Legionnaires just 15 seconds into the contest, and also picked up an assist. His goal sent hats and scarves to the ice from the stands as part of the team's Wooly Toss night for charity.
The Nationals scored a pair of goals to pull ahead 2-1 after the first period, and opened up a 3-1 lead midway through the second. Before the end of the period, Sarnia tied the game 3-3 with a pair of powerplay goals.
The Legionnaires pulled ahead 5-3 in the third, but London tied the contest with two powerplay markers of their own to send the game to overtime tied 5-5.
Sarnia failed to connect on a four minute powerplay in overtime, and Brandon Glover sealed the win for the Nationals late in the extra frame. Glover also added two assists on the night.
Legionnaires defenceman Matt Stoia led the way with a pair of goals, including an end to end rush capped off by a top corner back hand on the powerplay. The rookie now has eight goals and 21 assists in 31 games.
Greg Hay, and Nolan DeGurse also scored for the Legionnaires. Petrolia native Brenden Trottier dished out three assists for the Nationals.
The Legionnaires sit in fifth place in the Western Conference with 36 points, just two back of St. Thomas and LaSalle, and 12 behind London.
Sarnia was without four key players in the game. Brock Perry and Jon Sanderson served suspensions, Joel Pavey is out for three months with a shoulder injury, and Sam McCormack is expected to return soon from a hand injury. Nolan Farr was called up from the Mooretown Flags and Blake Butler from the Lambton Jr. Sting Minor Midgets.
The Legionnaires return to action Friday night in St. Marys and Sunday in Chatham before hosting St. Thomas Thursday night.