A tough third period would result in a disappointing result for the Oakville Blades, who dropped a 7-3 decision to the St. Michael's Buzzers on Tuesday to tie the playoff series at two wins apiece.
Despite some tremendous pressure early on by the Blades, the Buzzers scored the first goal. It was as weird as it gets, with Cameron Searles sending the puck off the glass and in. Somehow, the puck trickled past the goal line after goaltender Brendan McGlynn attempted to go behind the net to play the disk. The goal gave the Buzzers a 1-0 advantage just before the halfway point.
Then the Blades found themselves in one of the strangest situations. With about eight minutes left, St. Michael's Mitchell Devins-Cann attacked Jackson Bales behind the Buzzers net, resulting in a nine minute power play for Oakville. It took just six seconds for the Blades to get on the board, with Josh Kosack capitalizing on his four point performance on Tuesday to tie the game up at one apiece.
After 14:41 minutes of play, the Blades scored making it 2-1. It was an almost identical play, as Kosack took a pass from good buddy Ryan Foss to score again. The goal gave the Blades two goals on the nine minute power play, which saw the second goal come with 6:11 left in the penalty.
With about four minutes complete in the second, the Buzzers tied it back up. Finally playing at equal strength, Finn Evans got a boucner right in front of the crease and tied the game up at two apiece in what was turning out to be a very strange affair.
Finally, the Blades scored on even strength. It was a big goal with just under half the game remaining. Foss got his third point of the night after sending the puck off to Drew Worrad, who made no mistake with a quick shot to make it 3-2. Foss, a former OHL forward, has been having himself a tremendous playoffs so far, posting two points in the opening game before grabbing two more in Tuesday's 6-1 win.
An unfortunate misplay at Buzzers blue line resulted in a goal against for the Blades. Cameron Wright got his fourth in as many games after winning a battle in the goal crease, jamming it past McGlynn and defenseman Michael Mannara for the 3-3 goal heading into the third and final period.
The Blades came out flying high in the third period, grabbing multiple chances early in the period. Unfortunately, the Buzzers had other plans, scoring twice in a minute to take the 5-3 lead. First, Luke Branco got one from far out, beating McGlynn to take the advantage. Then, shortly after, Buzzers captain Thomas Beretta got one in close, giving the home team the two goal lead, the biggest of any team in the game.
The devastating third period continued. A minute a later, Wright scored his second goal of the night, beating McGlynn top shelf to end his night early. Wright would add to the total, giving the Buzzers the 7-3 lead late in the game to cap off a victory for the Toronto-based team.
With the loss, Oakville will now be forced to play at least six games in the series, with the next game set for 7:30 pm on Friday night, March 11, 2016 at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. We hope to see you there!