The Sarnia Legionnaires found out the hard way here Tuesday that hockey games last 60 minutes.

Leading the Chatham Maroons 6-3 in the third period, the Legion crew sat back and coasted the rest of the way. When the smoke cleared, they were on the losing end of a 7-6 double overtime contest.

With the setback Sarnia ended its preseason with a won-lost record of 2-4.

"At the end of the game we talked about risk management and understanding situations," Legionnaires assistant coach Derek DiMuzio said. "As a team we need to recognize these situations and play accordingly. When you’re up by two goals you don’t need to pinch. It’s a lesson learned. Whether it’s an exhibition game or the last game of the playoffs, there’s an opportunity to learn."

DiMuzio said there were many positives in the game. "We were good in the neutral zone and we had a lot of energy in the second period," he explained.

With Sarnia trailing 2-0 in the first stanza, big forward Cameron Rannie scored on a low wrist shot that handcuffed Maroons goalie Kyle Droge. A few minutes later, defenceman Jordan Hurtubise tied the game, redirecting a Joey Zappa point shot into a wide open cage after Droge was caught out of position.

In the middle frame Nolan DeGurse gave the visitors their first lead of the contest, letting go a laser-beam from the faceoff circle.

Greg Hay connected on a one-timer a split second after Jarret Marks won a draw beside the Chatham cage to give Sarnia a 5-3 lead.

It looked like the game was over early in the third period when Josh Barraclough converted a cross-ice pass from DeGurse to make it a three-goal advantage. Jon Sanderson also earned a helper on the play.

But it was all Chatham after that, with former Sarnia Sting enforcer Noel Bushnell capping the comeback with a late goal to square matters at 6-6.

Sarnia appeared to win the game in the dying seconds but the goal was called back because the net was slightly off its moorings.

Jake Knowles and Will Barber split the goaltending duties for the Legionnaires.

Grant Spence got the winner on a penalty shot early in the second OT session.

The Legionnaires open their Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League regular season Saturday when they travel to Brantford to play the Niagara Falls Canucks in the league’s annual Showcase Tournament.