26 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday January 31, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com LETTING LOOSE: Clockwise from left, former Oakville Blades player Kevin Adam chases down a loose puck, current Blades defenceman Paul Conter evades a stick check by former Toronto Maple Leafs center Peter Zezel (in PHOTOS BY SABRINA BYRNES / OAKVILLE BEAVER touque), and ex-Vancouver Canucks forward Jim Sandlak rolls on the ice celebrating his penalty-shot goal. Alumni happy to be part of anniversary celebration ■ Continued from page 25 first team,” said Ellis, who scored the first tie.” The Blades reached the Sutherland Cup Blades) in this town. You’ve got to get the goal of the Blades alumni’s 30-minute game The current Blades didn’t fare quite as provincial junior B final on two occasions, team playing well to get people interested, against the former NHL players (the current well against the former NHL players, drop- losing 4-3 to the Bramalea Blues in 1975 and and he’s doing that again this year. You hear Blades team then faced the ex-NHLers in ping a 7-5 decision. Edwards strapped on the 4-0 to the Waterloo Siskins in 1991. Oakville more about them than you did years ago and another 30-minute contest). “From what I pads and played goal for a few minutes, fac- jumped to the Ontario Provincial Junior A it’s good to see. They’ve got him to do it and gathered today, they are definitely making a ing his young understudies. Hockey League in 1993 and has reached the he’s doing it well.” real effort (to re-establish con- “They’re making “I only got one shot on him league’s semifinals two of the past three sea- Dean DeFazio, father of current Blades nections with their alumni). and it went in. I don’t know sons. player Brandon DeFazio, agreed. They’re making an effort to an effort to make how good of a goalie he was,” For the ex-NHLers, meanwhile, “I’m quite proud to be associated with the make us a big part of their pro- us a big part of Oakville co-captain Daniel Saturday’s game was an opportunity to catch Blades,” the former Pittsburgh Penguins for- gram.” their program.” Borges chuckled. “I’m just kid- up with past teammates and opponents — ward said. “Brandon got a scholarship to Dennis Fowler also scored ding — he was a great goalie in something they try to do several times a year. Clarkson University and a lot of that is for the Blades alumni in its ■ Former Oakville his time. It was nice to see the “It’s such a tight-knit family. Even when thanks to Don Edwards and the Oakville game, with Fergus and former Blades player Jeff Ellis whole organization come you’re done playing, it’s great to get back and Blades.” Vancouver Canucks forward Jim together from back in the 60’s tell stories again,” said Sandlak, who dazzled Jeff Ellis, the oldest member on the orig- Sandlak replying for the ex-NHLers in a 2-2 until now.” fans at one point with a series of ringette-like inal Blades squad in 1966, was happy to have draw. Both the ex-NHLers’ goals came on The former Blades used the occasion to moves and then badly beat Blades goaltender the opportunity to participate in the event. penalty shots awarded by former long-time retell old war stories in the dressing room, Matt Hoyle on his penalty shot — much to The 60-year-old has resided in Ottawa for the NHL referee Ron Hoggarth, who amicably reflecting on the franchise’s origins as a jun- the delight of Hoyle’s teammates watching past 35 years, but said he still tracks the officiated both games and mixed some on-ice ior C squad. The Blades reached the Clarence from behind the glass. “The main thing is to Blades via the Internet. interviews into the action. Schmalz Cup all-Ontario junior C final in get the community together and see ex-pro “This was a real big thrill for me to come “I think the last penalty shot was definite- 1969, falling in seven games to the hockey players play. They appreciate what back. This is a great franchise and a great ly suspect,” Ellis said with a laugh. “We Woodstock Navy-Vets, then moved up to the kind of skill it takes to play at that level, and team, and it is nice to say I was on the very should have had the two points and not the Mid-Ontario Junior B League in 1970. we get to do a few more things than we’d normally try in a game to have fun with our skills.” Fans and charities also benefited from the anniversary celebration. Players threw shirts into the crowd following each goal, while money was raised for the Mississauga Cruisers sled hockey team and the Blades’ SAT tutoring program (dollar figures were not available at press time). The event was sponsored by New Country 95.3 FM (morning show co-host “Mookie” suited up with the ex-NHLers). Oakville Mayor Rob Burton conducted the ceremoni- al opening faceoff. Shutout loss to Brampton drops Blades to third in West While the Oakville Blades had a good time at their 40th Brampton have three games remaining in their regular-sea- another home game, this time against the Bramalea Blues. anniversary celebration Saturday at Dominion Twin Rinks, son schedule, while the Blades have two. Both contests are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. starts. they didn’t enjoy themselves nearly as much the previous “We might be in a little slump, but it’s better to get it out Wyatt Russell, son of movie stars Kurt Russell and Goldie evening in Provincial Junior A Hockey League play. now than in the middle of the playoffs,” said Oakville co-cap- Hawn, earned the shutout for Brampton against the Blades, In a showdown for top spot in the West Conference tain Daniel Borges. “We just have to get back to doing the stopping 35 shots. standings, the Blades were blanked 4-0 by the Brampton things we do right; we’re not doing those right now. We’re Sunday, Trevor Eckenswiller and Vince Scott each scored Capitals — Oakville’s fourth loss in a nine-game stretch. off our game a little but but we’re going to get back to it.” a pair of goals, with Tomas Sample, Brent Clarke and Trevor The Blades managed to rebound Sunday, whipping the To have any hope of a first- or second-place finish in the Elliott each contributing a goal and two assists. lowly Buffalo Jr. Sabres 10-2 and improving their season conference, and home-ice advantage in the first two rounds Also scoring for Oakville were Nick McParland, Chase record to 36-9-1-1. Oakville is two points behind the of the playoffs, the Blades will need to defeat Hamilton when Langeraap and Borges. Bryan Peters, Domenic Monardo, Hamilton Red Wings for first in the conference, and the Red Wings visit Dominion Twin Rinks Friday. Oakville Fraser Smith and Brandon DeFazio each had two assists. Brampton is a point ahead of the Blades. Both Hamilton and will conclude the regular season the following night with Kori Coelho earned the win..