On Friday, September 13, 2024, the Oakville Blades played their third game of the 2024/2025 regular season at the Sixteen Mile Creek Sports Complex against the Georgetown Raiders in a tightly contested match that ended in a 3-3 tie after two overtimes. The game had its share of excitement, penalty troubles, and some dazzling plays that kept the fans on the edge of their seats. Both teams displayed resilience and skill, leading to a hard-fought draw.
The first period saw both teams cautiously feeling each other out, with neither the Blades nor the Raiders able to break the deadlock. While Oakville managed to put 14 shots on net and Georgetown 10, the goalies stood tall, with Oakville’s Chris Quizzi and Georgetown’s Kahne Bettison trading saves. Tanner Lawson and Jacob Carroll’s defensive play, which prevented the Blades from taking advantage of their opportunities, was crucial. Willem Posthumus and Cormick Smallegange’s steady presence supported Oakville’s blue line, which thwarted Georgetown’s offensive push. The first period ended scoreless, but the intensity was palpable.
The second period brought a significant shift in momentum as both teams started finding their rhythm offensively. It wasn’t long before penalties began to pile up, adding fuel to the already intense matchup. At 7:43, Georgetown’s Jayden Levesque was sent off for head contact, resulting in a misconduct penalty. A roughing penalty to Nicolas Townsend of Georgetown and Willem Posthumus of Oakville quickly followed, setting the stage for a flurry of power plays.
Oakville capitalized on their first major opportunity with a power-play goal at 7:53. Jack Dean, assisted by Matthew Indovina and James Paul, delivered a one-time shot that flew past Georgetown’s goaltender, putting the Blades ahead 1-0. The home crowd erupted in cheers, celebrating their team’s lead. However, Georgetown responded quickly, showcasing their own power-play prowess when James Wong scored at 9:46 with assists from Jack Gallo and Ben Austin to tie the game 1-1.
The period continued with fierce competition, and Georgetown’s penalty troubles only grew. At 18:39, Tanner Lawson was called for tripping, giving Oakville another power play. With only four seconds left in the period, Oakville’s Ben Theron, assisted by James Paul and Kyle Kussmann, ripped a shot into the top corner to restore the lead at 2-1. The Blades went into the intermission feeling confident, but Georgetown’s resilience was yet to fully show.
The third period began with the same intensity, as Georgetown came out determined to even the score. Just 1:59 into the period, Oakville extended their lead to 3-1. Evan Le Conte, with assists from Ben Theron and Jack Mackenzie, capitalized on a rebound to give the Blades a seemingly comfortable two-goal cushion. However, the Raiders weren’t ready to concede.
Georgetown began mounting a comeback with pressure in the Oakville zone, and their persistence paid off. At 8:10, Aiden Lee found the back of the net for the Raiders, cutting the deficit to 3-2. Lee’s goal revitalized Georgetown and forced Oakville to go on the defensive with assistance from Douglas Mitchell and Conner Thomson-Dick. As the clock ticked down, the Raiders struck again at 14:41. John Mitchell, assisted by Nolan Keeler and Tanner Lawson, scored the equalizer, bringing the score to 3-3.
Despite both teams battling hard for the remainder of the third period, neither could break the tie. The final moments of regulation featured more back-and-forth action, with Oakville pressing for a game-winner and Georgetown holding their ground. The match headed into overtime, but the extra frame saw no goals as both goalies stood firm.
In terms of special teams, Oakville managed to convert two out of five power-play opportunities, while Georgetown capitalized on one of their two chances. Oakville’s discipline was key, as they only took three penalties compared to Georgetown’s seven infractions, which might have tipped the game in the Blades’ favour if not for some stellar goaltending by Georgetown’s Michael Newlove. Newlove, made crucial saves to keep his team in the game. Oakville’s Chris Quizzi was equally impressive, making 37 saves over 80 minutes of play.
The game ended with both teams earning a point in the standings. The Blades will look to build on their strong performance as they take the ice again tonight, September 14, when they host the Niagara Falls Canucks at 7 p.m. at the Sixteen Mile Creek Sports Complex. Fans will be eager to see if Oakville can carry their momentum forward and secure their first win of the season.
Despite the result, the Blades showcased their depth and potential in this early-season test. Kyle Kussmann, the captain of Oakville, set an excellent example with his effective two-way play, and younger players like Ben Theron and Evan Le Conte made contributions that showed promise. The Raiders, meanwhile, can take pride in their comeback effort and the resilience they displayed on the road.
Tonight’s rematch against the Niagara Falls Canucks promises to be another thrilling contest. With both teams hungry for a win, the Blades will be looking to give their home crowd plenty to cheer about once again. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to secure good seats for what’s sure to be an exciting game at Sixteen Mile Creek Sports Complex.
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