OkillOAKVILLESMUSIC STOREwww.gearmusic.netSpor324 Kerr St.ts905-339-3515SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011 23Blades finally enjoy home-iceadvantageheres plenty to be impressed about when itcomes to the Oakville Blades current run of a Trecord four straight appearances in the Buckland Cup final.But perhaps the most impressive thing is that the Blades have made those four consecutive trips to the Ontario Junior Hockey League championship serieswithout having much of a home-ice advantage.Until last weekend, at least.More than 1,000 spectators including plenty of young-sters jammed Sixteen Mile Sports Complex Friday to watch the local junior team take on theKingston Voyageurs in the sev-enth and deciding game of theirleague semifinal series, creatinga special atmosphere that hasnt been seen at a Blades game in a long, long time.MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVERThe crowd erupted when Mark McGowan scored SPREADING CHEER: Oakville Blades players (in white, left to right) Mark Bennett, Mark McGowan and Brad Kobryn celebrate a second-in the second period to give Oakville a 2-0 lead, andperiod goal much to the delight of several young fans behind the glass Friday at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex.the noise reached similar heights a few minutes later when Kyle Lysaght blasted home a one-timer from the slot to give the Blades a 3-0 advantage.Letdown costly for Blades in Game 1 lossChants of Go Blades Go were actually heard acouple times during the third period, and the crowdNot even a history lesson was able toover the Calgary Flames in the final. The warning didnt help. Lacking thesaluted a solid Blades effort with a standing ovation save the Oakville Blades Sunday.Instead, it was of Tampas opening-game intensity they displayed less than 48 hoursas the final buzzer sounded on a 5-0 Oakville tri-During the bus ride to Wellington for4-1 loss, three days after the Lightnings earlier, the Blades found themselves downumph.Game 1 of the Buckland Cup champion-overtime win over Philadelphia in Game 7 3-0 less than 15 minutes into the firstThe fan support was not lost on Blades playersship series, Blades coach Mark Joorisof the Eastern Conference finals.period Sunday, en route to a 5-2 loss towho had grown accustomed to playing in front of showed his players video from the TampaTeams coming off an emotional victory the Dukes.small and passive crowds while some of their oppo-Bay Lightnings run to the Stanley Cup inare prone to letdowns in their following Oakville will look to square the seriesnents like Kingston were playing in front of 2004.game, Jooris forewarned his club. And the tonight (Wednesday) when it hosts Gamelarge and loud audiences.The footage wasnt of Dave AndreychukBlades, who ended a seven-game series 2 at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, a 7:30I knew it was going to be a good crowd, but Iand company hoisting the Cup aboveagainst the Kingston Voyageurs just two start.See Crowd, page 24See Wellington, page 24their heads after their seven-game windays earlier, were ripe for the picking.Get Ready To Look Your Best For SpringHave you always wanted that little bit extra? - or just restore what you once had! Botox Beautical Long Lasting Filler Medical Grade Sunscreen Sclerotherapy Liposuction Breast Augmentation and Lifting AbdominoplastyAngie Taplin RN, Cosmetic NurseDr. Leonard Harris MD.M.SC.,FRCS(C) Certifi ed Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon.Specialist, Obagi Skin Care Certifi cationChief of Plastic Surgery - 15 years experience3532 Commerce Court, Burlington, Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Private Clinic 905-333-9402Call Now for Early Appointments www.drharris.on.ca info@drharris.on.ca 1-800-223-9634 Fully Accredited Surgical Clinic OvernightStays