The Mark’s Work Wearhouse Mount Pearl Junior Blades took control of their best of seven series with the Bell Island Junior Blues Wednesday night, with a 6-2 win. The win gives the Blades a 3 games to 0 lead in the quarterfinal series.

The Blades offense was boosted by the return of 2 players, Jacob Pitcher and Brandon McDonald, who missed to first 2 games in the series, offsetting the suspensions of Mark Hand and James Blair. Pitcher led the Blades with 3 goals, while McDonald had 2 assists. Steve Bailey contributed with 2 goals and an assist, while Matt Woodford scored the other Blades goal. The Blades had a 3-0 lead after the first, and led 4-0 after 2 periods of play. Nick Rodway was between the pipes once again and made 30 saves in securing the W.

Much like the first game, this game got rough at the end with 4 fighting majors handed out to both teams. McDonald, Dan Evans, Mike Rose and Matt McGrath dropped the gloves for the Blades. A total of  164 minutes in penalties were handed out.

Game 4 is set for Saturday night on Bell Island, start time is 7:15.

In the other quarterfinal series, St.John’s Junior Caps swept the Trinity-Placentia Junior Flyers 4 games to 0, the Junior Celtics completed the sweep of Avalon 4-0, and the Southern Shore Junior Breakers avoided a sweep by the CBN Junior Stars by winning in overtime, however CBN still lead the series 3-1.

The Mark’s Work Wearhouse Mount Pearl Junior Blades will be short-handed for Game 3 on Wednesday night. The Blades were informed by the league that they will be without the services of James Blair and Mark Hand due to suspensions, Bell Island will also be without Mark Blanchard.

Blair received his suspension due to his hit from behind on Sunday night. HNL (Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador) guidelines state that any player that receives a 5 minute major and a game misconduct for checking from behind is to be assessed at least a 1 game suspension

Hand and Blanchard received their suspension for receiving a fighting major during a stoppage which was the second fight during a stoppage of play. This is per HNL Suspension guideline #6.

The Mark’s Work Wearhouse Mount Pearl Junior Blades began their league quarter-final series with the Bell Island Blues this weekend, winning both games. The Blades traveled to the Island Saturday night, and came away with a 5-4 overtime victory, and then won 6-3 Sunday night in the Glacier.

Saturday

The Blades were down early in the first period with goals by Jonathon Hatchard and Raymond Whalen in the first 6 minutes, but the Blades battles back and lead 3-2 by the first intermission. Michael Rose scored the first 2 goals while Robert Barrett potted the third. Steve Bailey scored 1:17 into the second period on the power-play to put the Blades up 4-2, but Daniel Roberts replied not to long after. Jonathon Hull scored for the Blues in the third period, and the games was tied at the end of regulation. Lucas Dearing scored at the 2:13 mark of overtime, earning the Blades a hard fought win. Nick Rodway made 32 saves for the Blades in securing the win. Rose added 2 assists to earn Jungle Jim’s Visiting Team Player of the Game. Bailey and Barrett each chipped in with 2 assists as well.

Sunday

In Game 2 the Blades came out firing, showing why they earned home ice-advantage for this series. Paul Smith opened the scoring, giving the Blades a 1-0 lead after the first period. Steve Bailey scored twice in the 2nd and Lucas Dearing converted a short-handed marker. Dearing was sent on a break away as the Blades were killing off a 5-minute major penalty taken by James Blair for checking from behind. Steven Reid replied for Bell Island, as the second period ended 4-1 for the Blades. In the third period, Aaron Schwartz scored, and Bailey had his 3rd of the game for the Blades, while Corey Humby and Kyle Hutchings scored for the Blues. This was also a chippy period. There were 5 games misconducts and 3 fighting majors for each team handed out. In total in the game, there were 199 minutes in penalties handed out.

Nick Rodway was in net for the Blades making 23 saves in the win, while George Street made 18 saves in the loss for the Blues. Lucas Dearing was named Jungle Jim’s Home Team Player of the Game, while Sean Quinlan was named Visiting Team Player of the Game.

With this series starting out very rough, it looks to be an exciting Game 3 Wednesday night at the Glacier, the puck drops at 7:30. Also on Wednesday night, Chuck-a-puck during the second intermission will be sold 2 pucks for the price of one. So don’t forget to purchase your RONA Chuck-a-puck, as well as your 50/50 tickets.

Other Series

St.John’s Caps lead Trinity-Placentia Flyers 3 games to 0

Celtics lead Avalon 3 games to 0

CBN Stars lead Southern Shore Breakers 3 games to 0

The Mount Pearl Junior Blades beat the Bell Island Blues tonight 5-4 in overtime. Mike Rose had two goals and two assists and was awarded with the player of the game award in the first of the best of seven series. Game two goes Sunday the 21st at 7:30pm at the Glacier in Mt. Pearl. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.

The Mark’s Work Wearhouse Junior Blades finished the regular season in third place in the league standings (21-6-1, 43points), setting up a match-up against the Bell Island Junior Blues (9-18-0-1, 19 points). The Blades won the season series beating the Blues 3 games to 1, but the Blues won the last game on January 10 (5-4). The Blades will be missing 2 key players in this series as John Ryan continues to recover from his injuries and Harry Bartlett is still out, both players are still out indefinitely.

The Blades were lead this season by Steve Bailey who finished second in league scoring with 57 points (25G – 32A). Michael Rose with 40 points (22G- 18A) and Aaron Schwartz with 38 points (20G – 18A) also contributed to the  Blades offensive attack. Nick Rodway will be looked upon the carry the Blades between the pipes. The Blues offense was lead by Chris King (14 G -15 A) and Daniel Roberts (10 G – 19 A) who each had 29 points, while Jonathon Hull wasn’t too far behind with 27 points(16 G – 11 A).

The series will open with the Blades traveling the Bell Island for game 1 Saturday, Feb 20 (game time 7:15). The Blades will then host game 2 at the Glacier Sunday night, Feb 21, puck drop 7:30.

Meeting in the other Quarter-Final series are the St.John’s Caps against the Trinity-Placentia Flyers, the Celtics will battle the Avalon Capitals, while the CBN Jr. Stars will play the Southern Shore Jr. Breakers.

Bailey celebrates after scoring on Breaker's goalie Walsh | Photo by: Colin Peddle

The Mark’s Work Wearhouse Junior Blades defeated the Southern Shore Junior Breakers 3-1 Sunday night at the Glacier, ending the regular season. The Blades finish the year in third place, meaning they will now meet the Bell Island Junior Blues in the first round of the playoffs.

The Blades had to play short-handed for the majority of the game as Brandon McDonald was ejected from the game for checking from behind at the 9:37 mark of the first period. Mark Hand opened the scoring 3 minutes into the second period converting a pass from Robert Barrett. Dan Evans scored the would-be game winner, unassisted, less than 2 minutes after the first goal. Tom Leonard replied for the Breakers to bring them within one goal, but Steve Bailey restored the 2 goal lead at 8:46. There was no scoring in the third period. Nick Rodway kept the Blades in the game making some key saves in holding the shore to just 1 goal.

The Blades will open their playoff series Sunday night, Feb 21st, at the Glacier. Puck drop at 7:30.

Goals – Mark Hand, Dan Evans, Steve Bailey

Assists – Robert Barrett, Bailey, Evans

Goalie – Nick Rodway, 34 saves

Aaron Schwartz chases down a CBN Stars player. | Jan. 30 2010 | Photo by: Colin Peddle

Congratulations to Aaron Schwartz who received the Junior League’s Player of the Week award, becoming the 18th player so far this season to do so.

Strong play from the young forward netted him 2 goals and 3 assists against the Blues this past Sunday.

This is Aaron’s first league award.