The Oakville Blades secured a decisive 4-1 victory over the Wellington Dukes at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex on Saturday night, September 21, 2024, to capture their first win of the 2024/2025 campaign. Chris Quizzi’s strong goaltending, which contained the Dukes’ offence throughout the game, put in a standout performance. The Blades dominated the scoreboard, netting goals in all three periods and outshooting their opponent with consistent pressure and sharp execution.
First Period: A Close Battle Unfolds
The game opened with intense play from both sides as Oakville and Wellington vied for early dominance. At the 14:33 mark, forward Ben Theron scored the first goal for the Blades with help from captain Kyle Kussmann and defenceman Michael Lee. Theron capitalized on a Wellington turnover in their zone, cutting through their defence and slipping the puck past Wellington goaltender Gabe Donohue. Oakville’s fast-paced offence continued to test the Dukes’ defence, but Donohue made a series of key saves to keep the game within reach.
Wellington responded later in the period during a power play, levelling the score at 1-1. Riley Noble and Cory Jewitt assisted Ryan Schaap in scoring the equalizer at 17:13. The goal came after Oakville’s Matthew Indovina was penalized for hooking, giving Wellington a crucial man-advantage opportunity. Wellington struggled to maintain consistent offensive pressure despite the momentum from their power-play goal as Oakville’s defense, under the leadership of Cormick Smallegange and Teddy Low, stood firm. The period ended with the score tied 1-1, setting the stage for a highly competitive second frame.
Second Period: Oakville Pulls Ahead
The second period saw Oakville come out with renewed energy, quickly asserting control of the game. Less than two minutes into the period, at 1:37, Oakville regained the lead thanks to a goal from Evan Le Conte, assisted by Brady Charlton and Chris Quizzi. Le Conte found the back of the net with a perfectly timed shot off a rebound, as Wellington’s defence scrambled to clear the puck. Just moments later, Oakville added to their lead with a goal at 2:09 from Michael Lee, assisted by Theron and Kussmann, bringing the score to 3-1.
Wellington struggled to regain their footing after Oakville’s quick offensive burst. The Dukes had several opportunities to close the gap, including a power-play chance following a cross-checking penalty on Oakville’s Mason Morden at 2:56. However, goalie Quizzi and defenceman James Paul led the Blades’ penalty kill team, which successfully neutralized Wellington’s efforts and stopped any further harm.
The Dukes’ frustrations were further compounded by penalty trouble midway through the period. Wellington’s Cooper Reid was called for slashing at 8:14, followed by a cross-checking penalty on Cole Ellis at 13:40. Despite these man-advantage opportunities, Oakville was unable to capitalize on their power plays, but they maintained a steady offensive presence, keeping Wellington pinned in their defensive zone for much of the second period.
Third Period: Oakville Seals the Win
The final period saw Oakville continue to press their advantage, with the team playing disciplined hockey to preserve their two-goal lead. The Blades extended their lead to 4-1 at the 13:42 mark when Theron scored his second goal of the night, again assisted by Kussmann and Nicolas Maria. The goal came after a well-executed passing play that left Wellington’s defence out of position, allowing Theron to fire a quick shot past Wellington goaltender Jack Lisson, who had replaced Donohue midway through the second period.
Wellington’s offensive struggles persisted throughout the third period as they were unable to solve Oakville’s defensive structure. The Dukes were limited to perimeter shots and failed to generate significant scoring chances, despite outshooting Oakville in the final frame. Their frustrations boiled over late in the period, leading to a slashing penalty to Zach Mascard at 18:06. The Blades, maintaining their composure, closed out the game without giving Wellington any opportunity to mount a comeback.
Oakville’s goaltender, Quizzi, was a standout performer, making 28 saves over the course of the game. His ability to shut down Wellington’s offence in key moments, particularly during the penalty kill, was crucial in securing the win for the Blades. Ben Theron was the star forward of the game, netting two goals and adding one assist during the contest.
A Promising Start to the Season
With this victory, the Oakville Blades start their 2024-2025 Ontario Junior Hockey League season on a high note heading into the Governor’s Showcase, which starts Monday, September 23rd, hosted by the Niagara Falls Canucks. The team showed a strong all-around performance, with their top line of Theron, Kussmann, and Maria leading the offensive charge and their defence playing a disciplined game. The Blades’ penalty-kill units were also effective, limiting Wellington’s power-play opportunities to just one goal on four chances.
The Wellington Dukes, despite a solid effort in the first period, were ultimately unable to match Oakville’s pace and offensive depth. Wellington goaltender Gabe Donohue stopped 5 of 9 shots before being replaced by Jack Lisson, who made 15 saves in relief. However, the Dukes struggled to generate consistent offence and failed to capitalize on several key opportunities throughout the game.
Oakville is back on the ice, September 23rd, where they host the Haliburton County Huskies at 4:00 p.m. at the Gale Centre as one of their two games during the Governors Showcase. The Blades will need to maintain their high level of play and stay out of the penalty box if they hope to secure back-to-back wins.
With this strong performance, Oakville has shown that they are a team to watch this season. Their combination of speed, skill, and defensive tenacity will make them a tough opponent for any team in the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
