Upset In the Making as Mertz Lifts Kings to Win

After blowing a 4-1 lead, the Dresden Kings managed to hold on for a 5-4 win over the Blenheim Blades Wednesday night in Dresden to expand their hold on the series to 2-games-to-none.

The fourth ranked Dresden Kings came into the series as underdogs against the Blades, who finished as the top North Division team, however their disciplined play and ability to capitalize on chances has put them up in the series.

Dylan Mertz opened the scoring in the second period on the powerplay, followed minutes later by an even strength marker to put the Dresden Kings up 2-0.

Zach Mailloux would get the Blenheim Blades on the board, before a slew of penalties put Blenheim down two men. Chris France took a delay of game call, before Taylor Phillips received a four minute spearing penalty. With the two man advantage, Brennan Rainey scored to make the game 3-1. Still on the powerplay, Dylan Mertz fed Alex Schmidt who potted his first of the playoffs to increase the Dresden Kings lead.

Sparking a comeback, Maillox scored his second of the game, before Sean McDonald and Thomas Innes scored for Blenheim to even the score in the third period; however, the Blades would not be able to complete the comeback.

To notch his fourth point of the game, Dylan Mertz scored the game winner with under 3-minutes to go in the game.

The series returns to Blenheim Friday night as the Blades try to fight back into the opening round of the Great Lakes Junior C playoffs.