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MINORS MENS WOMENSOkillBALL HOCKEYREGISTRATION905-637-8118Sportswww.hmbhl.comSPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2011 23Blades rebound to take series lead,face tough test tonight in KingstonBy Herb Garbuttthrough the first.OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFThat opening goal may have meant more to Blades than any other during the streak, with the exception of the Mark Bennett has experienced it for three years marker that gave them a 1-0 win in the series opener.the crazy atmosphere inside Kingstons Invista Centre.It was huge, Corbett said. We definitely didnt As a 17-year-old rookie he remembers being a littleaccept losing 9-1. Its a huge advantage, especially intimidated by the Voyageurs fans. That year, in thesince we know that the second hasnt been our best 2009 league final, the Oakville Blades lost all threeperiod.games in Kingston, a critical factor in coming up justThough not discounting the benefit of getting an short of capturing the league championship.early lead, Bennett said its just as important to follow Two years later even though the Blades exor-through with that early enthusiasm.cised the Invista Centre demons by winning three of We may have scored first in 11 in a row, but we four there in last years final, including the decisivehavent won 11 in a row, he said. We have to play a Game 7 Bennett knew the Blades could not affordstrong, full 60 minutes. In some of those games, we to head back to Kingston tonight (Thursday) trailingmade little mistakes.in their Ontario Junior Hockey League semifinal.Tuesdays mistake was taking a 10-minute power The 19 year old, who is bound for Union Collegenap to start the second period after controlling the next season, did his part to ensure the Blades returnedplay throughout the first and building a 2-0 lead. to Kingston with a 2-1 lead in the series. He scoredKingston outshot the Blades 10-5 in the first half of twice, the second on a breakaway that broke a 2-2 tiethe period, pulling within one on a power-play goal in the second period and swung the momentum backand four minutes later Anthony Colizza batted home in the Blades favour as they went on to a 4-2 victorya rebound to tie the game.Tuesday.Oakville awoke from its slumber to outshoot the Its a fun place to play. They usually have a fullVoyageurs 13-3 in the latter half of the period and house, Bennett said of the Kingston rink. And whenwere rewarded. Bennett jumped on a loose puck at you win there, theres no better feeling.centre and broke in alone. He put a nice head fake on Of course, when you lose as the Blades did SundayVye before slipping the puck through his legs. getting blown out 9-1 theres no worse feeling.Four minutes later Josh Ranalli threaded a nice Very quiet, was Bennetts description of the bus ridepass to Corbett. His shot was stopped but Kyle Lysaght home.pounced on the rebound in the slot, spun and slid it Blades coach Mark Jooris said the team put the lossinside the far post.behind them, though, realizing a lopsided loss didntThe Blades challenge now is to make sure they count any more than a nailbiter. Still, he got the sensedont let Tuesdays effort go to waste by letting his players felt a need to redeem themselves.Kingston back in the series.CLAUDIO CUGLIARI / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVERThese kids have a lot of pride, he said. TheyTheyve got a lot of crazy fans. We cant let them SQUEEZE PLAY:Oakville Blades defenceman Phil Hampton takes out Stevedidnt want to come home and put on a bad show.get to us, Corbett said. I think we let the fans and the McParland of the Kingston Voyageurs along the boards during Tuesday's OntarioInstead, the Blades continued a remarkable runatmosphere get to us (in Game 2).Junior Hockey League playoff game. Mark Bennett scored twice as the Bladesthat saw them score the first goal for the 11th straightIf the Blades can avoid that tonight, theyll return won 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in the OJHL semifinal series. Oakville travels togame when Mark Corbett pinched in from the point,home Saturday (7:30 p.m., Sixteen Mile Sports Kingston tonight (Thursday) for Game 4 and returns home to the Sixteen Miletook a pass from Tyler Karius and roofed a shot overComplex) with a chance to punch their ticket to the Sports Complex Saturday at 7:30 p.m. for Game 5.the glove of Kingston goalie Wendell Vye midwayleague final for the fourth straight year.