No matter what the Oakville Blades tried on Monday, things just didn't seem to go their way as the Orangeville Flyers took a 2-1 series lead following a 5-2 victory on Monday.
The first period was a very close match between the two teams. It appeared as though neither team was looking to make a mistake in any zone. It took until the 17:45 mark for the first good scoring chance, and unfortunately for Oakville, it would result in a goal against. In this instance, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds prospect Ryan Da Silva fired a wrist shot from the point that was tipped off an Oakville defenseman and in, giving the visitors the 1-0 lead.
The lead gave the Flyers a solid amount of momentum for the remainder of the frame. In a period that featured just eight shots for each team, a low amount for junior hockey, the teams kept the play contained and mistake-free for the most part.
The Blades couldn’t have done much more in terms of getting quality shots on net in the second. Whether it be Ross Sloan’s deke just in front of the crease or Jackson Bales’ quick one timer off of a Josh Kosack pass, Oakville tried everything they possibly could to get one past Wyatt Pickrell. Eventually, Greg Campbell would get the ball rolling for the Blades, firing a great wrist shot past a screened Pickrell.
Oakville’s momentum wouldn’t last for much longer, unfortunately. Shortly after Campbell tied it up, Deren Nesbitt got a strange one from just inside the zone, finding its way over the glove of Daniel Mannela and in for the go-ahead goal. With just over two minutes to go in the period, Kosta Likourezos gave his team the 3-1 lead before the second intermission, scoring on a quick shot following a pass in the corner from James McLaughlin.
The third period started off poorly for the Blades. With the Flyers hanging on to their second period energy, Nesbitt got his second of the contest on just the first shot that Brendan McGlynn faced, giving the visiting squad the 4-1 lead.
Oakville did finally get a little bit of excitement near the end. With under seven minutes to go, Ryan Garvey took a few shots that somehow couldn’t find a hole past Pickrell. Fortunately, 2015 NHL Draft prospect Jackson Bales was right there to tip the puck in the crease and into the back of the net. The goal wouldn’t create any further momentum; however, a late empty net marker by Ethan Wiseman helped cap off the 5-2 victory for Orangeville, giving the Flyers the 2-1 series lead.
Oakville will travel to Orangeville to take on the Flyers in game four on Wednesday. The series will return back to Oakville for game five on Friday for a 7:30 pm match-up at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex.