News

    PETROLIA – The old saying, “where there’s a will there’s a way”, was proven true once again Thursday night as an extremely short players Blenheim Blades team used a last minute goal by Will Tetzlaff and perfect netminding by Chris DeWulf to blank the Petrolia Flyers 1-0.

   Tetzlaff’s goal came with 30 seconds left in the third period when he followed teammate Kier Cumming who drove the Petrolia net but was stopped by goalie Chaska Thiel. The rebound came to Tetzlaff, and he put the game winner over the goalie’s right shoulder.

   At the other end of the ice DeWulf stopped all 36 shots sent his was for his third shutout of the year, while his teammates fired 35 at Thiel.

    Tetzlaff has been the hottest Blade in recent games scoring three goals and adding seven assists for 10 points.

   The win gives the Blades 12 on the season and 26 points. The victory also evens the team’s record at 12-12-2-0 and ties them again for sixth place with the Wheatley Sharks in the Stobbs Division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League.

    Next action for the Blades will be Friday at 7:30 in Dresden when they take on the second-place Kings on Rogers Hometown Hockey Night before returning to the Blenheim arena Sunday for a 7 p.m. tilt with the first-place Essex ’73s.

    The victory was extra special because the team did it without nine regulars in the lineup as exams, sickness and injuries continue to be a major problem.

    Not dressed because of exams were Dede Cato, Drew Marlatt, Ryan Malott and Christian Moccia, while Cam Wheeler remains out with mono, Chase Henry was serving a one-game suspension, and Bailey Norman, Malcolm Campbell and Colton Shoemaker are injured.

    Also injured is defenceman Steve Funk, who is now out for the year. To replace the veteran rearguard the Blades obtained 17-year-old Bailey Smith from the Wallaceburg Lakers. Smith was in the game Thursday.

   BLADES BITS: Blenheim had just 14 skaters Thursday, including AP call-ups Carter Wright and Braden Welch of the South Kent Juvenile Chiefs…The 12 wins to date ties the number the Blades achieved all last season…Since November began the Blades are 8-4-1-0 in 13 games, after going 4-8-1-0 in their first 13…Sunday Santa Claus will pay his annual visit to the Blades, and will be in the lobby to greet fans before the game…Between the second and third periods Sunday the team will hold its annual Cash Club Draw with the top prize being $1,000…Tickets will be available in the lobby…The annual “Skate With The Blades” is set for Sunday Dec. 23 following the game against the Kings…Fans young and old are invited to lace up their skates and hit the ice with their favourite players…

Also on Dec. 23 fans are urged to bring non-perishable food goods to the game in support of South Kent Lightning Peewee LL2 team who is taking part in “The Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup Challenge”…The donations will be given to the local food bank and one team will be given $100,000 to donate to the charity of the team’s choice…The team chosen will be profiled on Hockey Night In Canada, have a ceremony in their honour in their hometown, and receive Chevrolet and Hockey Canada swag as a thank you…The team’s name will be engraved on The Good Deeds Cup…On Saturday, Jan. 12 the Blades will be playing the Sharks at 5 p.m. in an outdoor game at Lanspeary Park located at 1250 Langlois Ave. in Windsor…There is only seating for 300 fans and tickets, at $10 each, are limited, and available at the souvenir table in the lobby…Season tickets and single game passes cannot be used for the game…The three stars of the game were Tetzlaff, DeWulf and Thiel.