Blades Stay Alive With OT Win

Facing elimination, the Blenheim Blades picked up an overtime win on the road Tuesday night to keep the Dresden Kings from advancing in the Great Lakes Junior C playoffs.

After Kirk McKillop opened the scoring for Blenheim early in the first, Macks Holmes scored a pair for Dresden to give the hometown Kings a 2-1 lead after one period.

In the second period, Blenheim back to back powerplay goals, with the first coming from Cam Aitken, and the second coming from late season acquisition Jordan Durston. The third frame was hotly contested, with both teams trading chances. Alex Ritchie would tie the game up nearing the midway point of the period, before both goaltenders would shut the door, sending the game to overtime tied 3-3.

In OT, with time winding down on the first extra period, Tyler Clarke played the hero for Blenheim, firing in a sharp angle shot while Dresden netminder Brent Paxton was down and out at the far side of the net.

Justin Pratt, who received his first playoff start, made 28 saves for the Blenheim Blades in the 4-3 win.

The win moves the Blades closer in their best of seven series, although Dresden still holds a 3-2 lead overall. Game 6 is Thursday night in Blenheim at 7:30pm.