The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, January 16, 2013 · 26 Sports Oakville Beaver By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR:JONKUIPERIJ Phone 905-632-0588 (ext. 294) email sports@oakvillebeaver.com Blades' surprising success changes GM's strategy Oakville deals for veteran sniper at trade deadline A few short months ago, the acquisition of a 20-year-old at the trade deadline wasn't a move Duncan Harvey envisioned himself making. But with the Oakville Blades surprisingly in contention for top spot in the Ontario Junior Hockey League's South Division, that's exactly what the Blades general manager did Thursday, picking up high-scoring forward Luke Laidlaw from the Hamilton Red Wings in exchange for cash. "It's one of those things where we've done really well (this season) considering... we're a really young team," Harvey said. "Luke became available from Hamilton, and he's one of those guys that's hard to pass up on. He gives us a ton of offensive upside, is a tough guy, has been in the league for a while, brings a lot of experience. He's the kind of guy we hope can help put us over the top." Harvey expects Laidlaw's impact on the team will be more than his offensive statistics -- 26 goals, 22 assists in 34 games with a Hamilton squad that has won just five games so far -- would suggest. With 102 penalty minutes on the season, more than any other player on the Blades' roster, Laidlaw appears to bring a bit of sandpaper to the Oakville forward ranks. He should also ease the scoring burden carried by Jonah Renouf (second in the OJHL with 71 points in 37 games) and twin brother Nathan (57 points), giving Blades opponents someone else to worry about. "Jonah and Nate have been fantastic for us, but it's no surprise who's going to be on the ice in certain situations, who's going to be getting the puck," Harvey said. "A guy like Luke comes in and... is in that same category. He's a very productive player, on par with those other two." And offence is where the Blades needed the most help at the deadline. Oakville has allowed the fewest goals in the 22-team league (98 in 39 games), but is fourth in its six-team division in goals for (159). "Our MVP is (goalie) Evan Buitenhuis," Harvey said. "He's the best goalie in the league, no question... He makes the team good enough that every night we can win a game. That's where the decision comes in to bring in Luke, even though he's a (1992born player)." Laidlaw joined the team shortly before Friday's home game against the Milton IceHawks at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, also suiting up Saturday in Burlington. He was held off the scoresheet in both games, though the Blades went on to hand both the IceHawks and Cougars 5-2 defeats. Patrick Chore, Stefan Leblanc, Kyle Jenkins, Rory Bell and Spencer Green scored goals for the Blades Friday against Milton. Greg Campbell had three assists, Leblanc and Jonah Renouf notched two helpers each, and Buitenhuis made 36 saves to record the win. Saturday, the Blades outshot Burlington 13-1 in the first period, yet found themselves See Blades, page 28 MICHAEL IVANIN / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER DEADLINE ACQUISITION: New Oakville Blades forward Luke Laidlaw (in blue) plays the puck while falling during Saturday's Ontario Junior Hockey League contest in Burlington. Free admission for Pink In The Rink The Oakville Blades are offering free admission to their home game Friday as part of their annual Pink In The Rink event. Instead of paying for tickets to the Blades' game against the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, spectators are encouraged to make discretionary donations to the Canadian Cancer Society. Blades general manager Duncan Harvey said the team's goal this year for the Pink In The Rink event, which supports breast cancer research and awareness, is to have a capacity crowd. "It's a free game for fans," Harvey said. "If they want to donate when they get there, great." Blades players were each required to raise at least $500 on their own through pledges from the public. As of Monday, players had raised more than $12,000. The Pink In The Rink game will start at 7:30 p.m. and will feature tributes, a 50/50 draw, puck toss, bake sale, kids' activities and more. FRIDAY PINK IN THE RINK FREE ADMISSION TO GAME Oakville Blades vs. Toronto Lakeshore Patriots Both games Puck Drop 7:30 PM at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex Come out Friday and help the Blades and the Canadian Cancer Society! Oakville Blades vs. St. Mikes Buzzers SATURDAY