Wow, the Blades did not look like the team that won the OPJHL and the Dudley tonight, as they lost to the host Cornwall Colts 5-4. The Colts have not won a game since March 17th but looked like a real contender for the RBC in this one.

Hard to explain the loss by the Blades to a team that has been off for some 6 weeks. Are the Colts that good, did the Blades take them too lightly or are the Blades just another team without Scott Greenham. Whatever it was the Blades have now put themselves in a bit of trouble as they must now face league Champions, Weeks, Humboldt and Camrose in their next 3 games. Humboldt defeated the Cornwall Colts yesterday 7-0, while Camrose took the Weeks Crushers 5-1 earlier today. I have a feeling that Humboldt and Camrose will be tough to beat and if Oakville plays as they did tonight, well, I "shudder" at what may happen.

Whatever the Blades' problem was tonight, they had better come up with some answers quick before they meet the stronger teams, or they may not be around next weekend.

Come on Oakville get your act together, we want the RBC Cup to stay in Ontario.

Did you see the Cornwall fourth goal ?
Just after the Blades scored the shortie to go up 4-3, the Colts forward put a little move on a Blades defenceman and he bit, hook, line and sinker.
Did that Oakville d-man ever look bad.

It did look as though the Blades took the Colts too lightly.
The whole team did not look good. It seemed as though they could not handle the physical play of Cornwall in the first, maybe the week of rust shaking off, but it only gets harder from here on as SMC said.
I do not blame Wren, he did his part. The forwards were slow and uneffective on the powerplay.

Cornwall is not that good of a team.
Oakville needs to bounce back against the Weeks Crushers tomorrow or it will be over before they know it.







Go Raptors !
Go Jays !


WEXDOG
09,11,01
Lest We Forget
11,11,11

The Oakville D man that was deked out of his "jock" was #20, ex Tiger Jeff Grenier. The Colt player that made the fantastic play was #9, Damien Cross.

To me it was not much of a deke, after all this is not the preseason.
Grenier bit way too easy.

Oakville will need to play a little more desperate today.
The way they played against the Colts, they will be 0-4 come Friday morning.







Go Raptors !
Go Jays !


WEXDOG
09,11,01
Lest We Forget
11,11,11

Hi

This was my first time seeing the Blades.

Impressions: They were bigger and faster than the Colts.
One of Oakville's goals was screened.
Another was going about 10' off net but a huge deflection caused it to hit the post and go in.
Cornwall really played with a short bench: James Craig ( former Vee) only saw 1 shift, Jacobs saw maybe two. Derek Villenueve maybe 1.

referee called a decent game , missed one call completely, he missed the play and turned to see the Cornwall player laying on the ice, after his dive, so he called the Blades for the penalty.

It was very interesting game, as an East Division fan, it was my first look at Oakville. I was very impresed.

Cornwall did have an insurance goal waived off as the whistle had gone.

We cant to be hard on the Blade D on Cross's goal. He got the puck in the slot in front of Justin Roeths...... , did two pirouetes and then went coast to coast.

I don't think Scott would have made a difference in this game, although the Blades are probably much better with him in goal.

All these trips to Cornwall this week, make me think back 50 years ago. I attended all 6 games in the 1958 memorial Cup, Hull-Ottawa canadiens vs Regina Pats. In game 1 Ralph backstrom played 60 minutes. Regina had Kenny walters in goal and Red Berenson and Billy Hickey upfront.

Cornwall better hope they don't play the Blades in the Semis on Saturday.

Blades play, potentially the weak sister in the tourney, Pictou County Weeks, tonight.

Lou

"leapinglou"

You must have been watching a different game than Wex and I. The Blades played awful and like we said, if they keep playing like that they will be gone by the end of the week. They played with a total lack of intensity and looked like they were out for a skate and the game was "in the bag" from the opening faceoff. In my opinion they played the weakest team in the RBC and came out on the short end of a 5-4 score. The Colts were badly beaten by Humboldt 7-0 on Saturday.

I disagree that Weeks is the "week" team, they beat one of the best teams in the East, the Pembroke Lumber Kings 4-1 to get to the RBC after the Lumber Kings "shellacked" them 7-1 in the round robin.

Camrose and Humboldt will "crucify" the Blades if they don't sharpen up and play the hockey that made them OPJHL and Dudley Hewitt Champions. If you don't think that Scott Greenham would have made a difference last night, then you haven't seen Scott Greenham play.

Tonight will be a must win for the Blades, they can do it but they will have to get off their "asses" and play the hockey that they are capable of.

I'll be watching tonight, and perhaps with a more critical eye.

As I said , the Blades are bigger and stronger than the Colts. Hopefully they will put the Crushers in their place tonight. Crushers did finish of the Fred Page Cup in fine fashion, upset wins over Yarmouth and Pembroke.

My seats are in QQ, the nice soft ones, right behind the penalty box, so if you guys have time, would love to meet you.

I have to do my income tax today so may not make it to the potential championship preview this afternoon.

Lou

"lou"

I hope you are getting a refund on your Income Taxes, you are past the deadline. LOL

Does anyone know the tie breaker formula for this tournament?
If two teams end up with 1-3 records, does the head to head game break the tie?

From the reports it does not sound like any Oakville Blade team that I have seen this year. They are definitely a much different team with Greenham between the posts and if you ask me they would have toasted the Colts with him in net. It doesn't matter if Wren plays good or bad, the team just looks completely different without Greenham.

Toronto Maple Leafs= Ford Motor Company

Confidence or heart ? Wren is the goalie, win with him.
It may be a matter of confidence, but it looks like they have no heart.

I kept waiting for the OPJHL/DHC champs to show up, but they never did.



Lou;
Look at it this way.

Markham knocked off East Champion Wellington fairly easy, four straight after dropping the first game.

The Waxers then got easily taken out themselves 4-1 by Oakville.

Oakville had no problem winner the Dudley, now they are not the same team as they were two weeks ago.


Head to head game is the tie breaker.








Go Raptors !
Go Jays !


WEXDOG
09,11,01
Lest We Forget
11,11,11