The Home Hardware Midget AAA Legionnaires were on the road this weekend to open the 2019-20 regular season.

 In the season opener on Saturday, the Legionnaires lost 5-2 to the Tisdale Trojans.

Eric Robbie and Spencer Bell both scored for the Legionnaires, with assists from Cash Arntsen, Riley Dekowny, Logan Linklater, and Maguire Scheidt.

Jacob Herman stopped 26 of 31 Trojans shots.

Meanwhile, Wymark's Keagon Little had a goal for Tisdale, with an assist on that strike coming from Swift Current product Noah Wills.

Then on Saturday, the Legionnaires were shut out 5-0 by the Prince Albert Mintos. Justin Dueck was in between the pipes for Swift, making 25 saves on 30 shots.

"The only thing we've been really consistent on is in the way we lost both games," said head coach Darren Evjen. "We're really inexperienced on our back end and up front, and it's showing right now."

"We're trying and we're making steps to playing the right way with some structure, but we're making little mistakes and those are turning into big out-numbered situations. That's what's been hampering our game. We just need to make sure we keep getting better - we've got to be patient."

Patience will definitely be key for the Legionnaires as the campaign progresses, with a pile of turnover on the roster.

Joining graduating players, along with those released from the team and playing elsewhere in the SMAAAHL, are four local products who have stuck with their Junior clubs and don't look to be returning to the Legionnaires.

Forward Reed Jacobson ('02 - Spokane Chiefs), Hendrik de Klerk ('02 - Swift Current Broncos), Joe Arntsen ('03 - Lethbridge Hurricanes), and Mac Gross ('02 - Kindersley Klippers) have all made the jump.

Despite the omission of three of their top defenceman and a top forward in Jacobson, the remaining veteran presence will be relied upon heavily moving forward for the club.

"We're just a bit all over the map right now. We've got a lot of new players, but the guys that were here last year, we need consistency out of them to show the other guys how to play the right way," said Evjen.

A bright spot so far through 120 minutes of hockey has been the team's play down a man. The Legionnaires combined to hold the Trojans and Mintos to an 0-for-11 effort on the powerplay.

"Our penalty kill has been outstanding, like really have done a good job there," said Evjen. "That's what can keep you in games. The 5-on-5, we can put that together over some practices, games, time, and video. But, our penalty kill's been good."

Swift Current now has a week of practice before taking part in the annual SMAAAHL Showcase, held in Warman.

"For the most part, I like the way our practices have gotten better and better, but the word 'consistency' in individuals and the team just keeps coming into my mind. That's where we've just got to get better," said Evjen.

The Legionnaires open the Warman showcase Friday afternoon against Swift Current's Noah Schindel, former Legionnaires goalie Ethan Hein, and the Battlefords Stars.

Puck drop in that contest is 2:30 p.m.

They round out their showcase with Game 2 Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Trojans.