A strong start powered the Sarnia Legionnaires to a big 4-3 win over the St. Thomas Stars in GOJHL playoff hockey action Sunday night at the Brock St. Barn. The Legionnaires now trail the best of seven series 2-1.
Greg Hay opened the scoring for the Legionnaires 24 seconds into the game, tipping in a Sam McCormack point shot. Alec DeKoning scored on a breakaway just 15 seconds later, set up by a nice stretch pass from Ben Schoch. Schoch netted a powerplay goal on a screen shot from the point at 8:52 to give Sarnia a 3-0 lead heading into the second.
Peter Fleming got the Stars back into the contest with his first of three goals on the night 8:47 into the middle frame. DeKoning potted another for Sarnia six minutes later, chasing St. Thomas goalie Jesse Hodgson from the game and giving the Legionnaires a 4-1 lead. Hodgson allowed four goals on 19 shots. Sarnia native Anthony Hurtubise came in and stopped all six shots he faced.
Fleming scored another powerplay goal two minutes later, and capped his hat-trick midway through the third period but that's as close as the Stars would come. Legionnaires goalie Will Barber turned aside 28 of 31 St. Thomas shots.
The two teams will meet in St. Thomas for game four on Tuesday night at 7:30pm. Game five will be at Sarnia Arena on Thursday night at 7pm on CHOK.