legionnaires feb27

The Evans Brothers Home Hardware Legionnaires wrapped up the season on a high note, beating the Notre Dame Hounds 7-3 Friday night at the Credit Union iplex.

Caleb Griffin had a three-point night with two goals and a helper, and Tyde Hutchinson added a goal and two assists. Gage Misskey, Kevin Bendall, Tristan Carey and Matthew Jones also scored for the Legionnaires and Jarrett Gerlach had three assists.

Chantz Vinck made 31 saves for the win as Swift Current outshot Notre Dame 45-35.

"I thought that it was a good way to end the season for the guys, especially the 17-year-olds and the three guys that have been here for three years," said Legionnaires Coach Dale Vossen. "The part that I really enjoyed about tonight was that it wasn't our big line that did the scoring. It was the the other three lines that all chipped in and got a couple of goals each, and it's looking good for the guys that are going to come back here next year."

The Legionnaires finished 11th in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA league with a 10-31-3 record and will miss the playoffs, but Vossen says despite the rough season, he was happy with how the players have developed through the year.

"In every player, there's certain things that they've improved on," he added. "I don't know if anybody's really completed their game out, but we've made strides and I'm hoping that continues on next year."

The Legionnaires will have 12 players eligible to return next season, but will graduate eight 17-year-old players, including three-year veterans Connor Odelein, Josh Stang and Evan Armstrong.

"There's eight of them moving on, and I hope they all continue on to move on and get an opportunity to play Junior A or in the Western Hockey League and hopefully things work out for them," Vossen added.