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REALTY COR P. BROKERAGE Sports INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED 26 SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email [email protected] • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2010 Orangeville deals latest blow to struggling Blades By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR

In a season already filled with ups and downs, the might have hit a new low last weekend. The defending Provincial Junior Hockey League cham- pions’ early-season struggles continued with a pair of loss- es. Oakville was defeated 4-1 by the Friday at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, then fell 6-3 to the Orangeville Flyers Saturday in Orangeville. The loss to Orangeville was particularly vexing for the Blades, considering that the Flyers entered the game with a 3-10 record. Oakville is now 8-6-1 through 15 games, the team’s worst start since going 6-7-2-1 out of the gate in 2005. The Blades were 12-3 after 15 games last year. “We’re definitely frustrated. Everyone’s working, every- one’s putting in the effort,” Oakville captain Nick Rivait said at the team’s practice Monday. “Maybe because of last year, some of the guys came in and thought we’d be better than we are. We have all the players. We have the right pieces to have a good team... now it’s a matter of everyone coming together as a team instead of a bunch of individuals.” The Blades have shown flashes of potential in the first two months of the season. They have played the league- leading (16-3) tough in both meetings EAMONN MAHER / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER between the clubs this season, including a 5-2 win over NO DICE: Georgetown Raiders goalie Michael Nishi (in white) denies Oakville Blades forwards Blake Roubos (89) and Mark Markham earlier this month. They have also defeated the McGowan during Friday’s Junior Hockey League clash at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. Nishi stopped 39 of the 40 shots he faced and , teams in Georgetown’s 4-1 win. with a combined record of 26-7-1. But Oakville has struggled against the league’s bottom- store. Blades general manager Carlo Coccimiglio hinted The Blades will then visit the Sunday feeders. The Blades needed overtime to beat the 3-13-2 Monday that he was considering a few ‘significant’ roster afternoon. Milton IceHawks a couple weeks ago, then were doubled up moves. NOTES: Blades defenceman Phil Hampton has been by the Flyers Sunday. “I still have every intention of being in first and winning named to the Team East squad that will compete in “I think we’re playing to the level of the teams we’re our league,” Rivait added. “That’s still in the sights for me. the 2010 World Junior A Challenge in Penticton, B.C. Local playing. We’re not being consistent. We’re not playing our I don’t think anyone has packed it in yet, but if they do, resident Scott Wilson, who plays for the Georgetown game for 60 minutes,” said Rivait. “When we do play our those are the things that will change.” Raiders, was also named to the team... Stephen Hickey had game, you can see we’re all over teams. We shut them The Blades hope to start turning things around this Oakville’s only goal in Friday’s loss to Georgetown. The down and get scoring chances. weekend. Oakville will look to avenge Saturday’s embarrass- Blades outshot the Raiders 40-30 on the night... Kyle “We have to focus on every team that comes to the ing loss when it hosts Orangeville Friday at Sixteen Mile Lysaght scored twice and Brandon Denham also tallied for rink.” Sports Complex, then is home to the Buffalo Jr. Sabres Oakville against Orangeville. The Blades outshot their If they don’t, changes to the roster could soon be in Saturday. Both contests are slated for 7:30 p.m. starts. hosts 40-24.