The Oakville Blades season has come to an end following a 7-2 loss to the Toronto Patriots in game five of their playoff series on Saturday.
The Blades got off to a wonderful start. For the second straight game, the team managed to score the first goal of the game, something that has proven to be very important all year long. Seven minutes in, Ross Sloan took a great shot from just inside the right face-off circle, only to have Christian Rajic tip it in for the 1-0 goal. It was a huge moment for both players, as the assist proved to be Sloan’s very first point of the entire play-offs. The same relief was also extended in Rajic’s favour, as the goal proved to be his first, since game two of the playoff series against Orangeville on February 28th.
The excitement was short lived, unfortunately. Shortly after, Nico Gonzalez tied the game up for the Patriots, jamming the puck past Daniel Mannella in front of the net for the tying goal. With 7:21 left in the opening frame, Marcus Rose caught Mannella off his guard with a bouncer between the legs, giving the Patriots their first lead of the contest.
The Blades were put in a very tight hole at the end of the first, with the Blades down a man due to Max Lindsay’s boarding penalty. Rose potted his second goal of the game after picking up a poor clearing attempt by the Blades in front and knocking it past Mannella, giving the Patriots the 3-1 lead.
The Blades came out hungry in the second. The Blades knew another goal by the Patriots could really put a damper on their chances if they didn’t score quickly. Unfortunately for the visiting team, the Blades were able to come within a goal early on. With all the momentum on Oakville’s side, Matt Lippa made a great pass in front to Max Lindsay, who fired the one timer in front over Mat Robson’s shoulder and in for the 3-2 goal.
The Blades were unable to get another goal before the second was over, instead allowing the Patriots to score again in the third. This time, Jacob Hayhurst would score his fourth goal in the past three games. He picked up a rebound from the slot and waited until the last second to put it over Mannella.
The tensions had finally boiled over. After Quinn Syrydiuk scored for the Patriots to make it 5-2 with 11:40 left in the game, a scrum ensued in the corner beside the Blades net. Multiple penalties would be handed out as a result, with Sean Kohler earning an ejection when it was all said and done. The Patriots would score two more later in the contest to finish off with the 7-2 victory, putting an end to Oakville’s season.
The Oakville Blades would like to thank all their fans for their fantastic support all season. The team would also like to send an extended thank you to Greg Campbell, Vince Palermo, Ross Sloan, Kamil Tkaczuk, Matt Lippa, Austin Broadhurst, Matt McLeod, Tanner Shaw and Max Lindsay for their service with the Blades and wish them success in the future!