It was a tough night at the office for the Swift Current Home Hardware U18 AAA Legionnaires in the Bridge City.

The host Saskatoon Blazers scored early and often including four goals in the first period in an 8-2 win over the Legionnaires.

Swift Current captain Matt Ripplinger cut the deficit to 4-1 at the end of the first period.

But Saskatoon would score three more times to blow the game open before Legionnaires defenceman Carter Herman would answer.

Goalie Liam Ernst stopped 30 of the 34 shots he faced in 40 minutes of action after replacing Brayden Schenstead to start the second period.

Swift Current fell to 16-20-5 on the season and will face the Blazers again in Saskatoon tonight.

The Legionnaires are now one point out of the final playoff spot, behind the Battlefords Stars.