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

www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, February 4, 2016 | 34 HALTON TRANSMISSION 559 SPEERS RD., #UNIT 3 905-842-0725 www.haltontransmission.com Kevin Nagel Sports Editor knagel@burlingtonpost.com Sports "Connected to your Community" Blades say goodbye to Oakville Arena The Oakville Arena will always be a special place for Mike Tarantino. The Oakville Blades' coach made his junior debut at the rink as a 16-year-old call-up for a game against the Milton Merchants. Milton was Oakville's opponent once again Saturday as the Blades played their final game in the 66-year-old rink, which is scheduled for redevelopment. Under the wooden trusses of the roof -- one of only four rinks in the province with unique design element -- the Blades scored five times in the final 10 minutes, to send the rink off with a 6-3 win. The Blades had three championship seasons playing in the arena, a Jr. C title in 1969 and Jr. B crowns in 1982 and 1991. Tarantino's rookie season in 1998/99 was the Blades' last in the arena before moving to Canlan IceSports. He said the rink and its small ice surface always gave the team a distinct advantage. "Any rink that's a little quirky is always tough for opponents, whether it's Georgetown or Port Credit with the small neutral zone, St. Mike's small ice or ours (Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, the team's current home) with its Olympic-sized ice. Those teams will always have a good home record." --Herb Garbutt, Oakville Beaver staff Fans watch the action as the Oakville Blades play their final game at the Oakville Arena Saturday. The rink, built in 1950, was the Blades' home until 1999. Blades' captain Ryan Garvey (left) takes a breather by the bench under the distinctive wood-trussed roof. (Below, from left) Blades' goalie Michael Botiz leads the team on to the ice; the Blades bench proved that players have indeed gotten bigger, so much so that there was no room for Brendan McGlynn, who joined the fans in the stands. | photos by Graham Paine -- Oakville Beaver XXXXX Tailgate Patio Party RAISING MONEY FOR M.O.H.A. FREE BBQ, LIVE BAND, $5 TALL BOYS LEAF TICKETS + PRIZES FREE CHILI GIVE AWAY AT HALF TIME HOT WINGS !!! COLD BEER!!! Fun starts at 4pm 905-338-5458 www.draftedsportsbar.com 379 Speers Rd., @ DORVAL