The Oakville Blades hosted one of the loudest home games in recent history on Friday, hosting the Toronto Patriots for the Teddy Bear Toss game in support of the Oakville Firefighters' Annual Toy Drive. It was a solid game from start to finish, but a late game charge by the visiting club meant that the two teams would finish with a 3-3 tie in front of a strong crowd.
It took just 4:53 for the Blades to send the stuffed animals flying to the ice. Playing some of the best hockey of his young junior hockey career, Bryce Misley got things started with a great wrist shot. The puck bounced off the right goal post and in for the 1-0 goal. With the game being the Teddy Bear Toss game, hundreds of young kids threw stuffed animals of various sizes on to the ice. The Bears are collected and then given out to less fortunate children for Christmas.
Jackson Bales drew a lot of attention in the first period, playing strong in all three zones of the ice. Not too long after he prevented a breakaway goal from happening, the Merrimack College prospect made a nice pass from the doorstep to billet brother Drew Worrad, who fired a shot in from the slot to make it 2-0 before the end of the opening period.
At 3:37 of the second period, Brendan McGlynn's shutout would come to an unfortunate end. Jeremy Pullara put the Patriots on the board. Using a quick little deke in front of the goal crease before getting it behind McGlynn, he cut Oakville's lead to just one goal.
The Blades were absolutely dominant in the second period shot wise, leading the count 14-2 during the 20 minute frame. Unfortunately for the home team, Jacob Standen was strong in the blue paint for the Patriots. Their goalie finished the game with 39 stops during 70 minutes of play.
One of the nicest goals of the season came just after the halfway mark of the third. With the Oakville Blades unable to score for a good amount of time, the team regained the two goal lead after some tremendous passing between Eric Holland and Bryce Misley. It resulted in a nice tap in by Patrick Kudla, who made it 3-1 Blades.
The Patriots were having their best period by far, and this time they weren't giving up. Nick Ursitti would find a way to get the puck in the net. From the point, Ursitti tipped in a shot past McGlynn to bring his team within a goal with just under five minutes to go in regulation.
Unfortunately for the Blades, the Patriots would find a way to tie the game up late and send the game to overtime. Neither team would find a way to put the puck in the back of the net. But after taking six shots in the 10 minutes of extra time, it was clear the Blades were hungry. Standen would stand tall in overtime, and despite Oakville's best chances, the game would finish as a 3-3 tie.
Both teams will hit the ice for a rematch on Saturday, playing a 7:30pm contest at Westwood Arena. We hope to see Oakville Blades supporters on the road!