Saturday night on Bell Island, the Mark’s Work Wearhouse Mount Pearl Junior Blades defeated the Bell Island Junior Blues 8-4. The score was tied 1-1 after the first period and 4-4 after 2 periods of play. The Blades held Bell Island off the score sheet in the third, while potting 4 goals. Steve Bailey and Aaron Schwartz paced the Blades in this game, each totalling 5 points. The Blades received points from 11 of their 16 skaters in this game.

Schwartz opened the scoring around the midway point of the first period, but Blues forward Paul Perham responded 13 seconds later to even the score. The Blades popped 2 goals early in the second period as Scwartz scored his second of the game and Dan Evans also scored. Michael Sherman replied twice for Bell Island 9 seconds apart. Bailey scored close to the end of the third, but once again the Blues tied the game as Daniel Roberts replied.

The third period was all Blades. Robert Barrett scored at 9:03 into the third. Bailey scored his second shortly thereafter, and James Blair scored on the Power Play with less than 3 minutes to play to put the game out of reach. Bailey scored late in the game to complete the hat trick. Nick Rodway was in net for the Blades for the victory.

Goals – Steve Bailey (3), Aaron Schwartz (2), Dan Evans, Robert Barrett, James Blair

Assists – Schwartz (3), Bailey (2), Mark Hand (2), Matt Woodford, Barrett, Paul Mitchelmore, Lucas Dearing, Julian Lovesless, Jacob Pitcher

Goalie – Rodway (32 saves)

The Blades will finish their regular season schedule this coming weekend as they will host the Southern Shore Junior Breakers Sunday night, Feb 14th.

Larry Gray fires a one timer from his knee to beat J. Penney top shelf. | Photo by: Colin Peddle

Friday’s Game: Blades: 4 – Blues: 5

They began the first of three games this weekend on Bell Island to face the Junior Blues and with just 1 minute played they were down by a goal courtesy of Blues forward Chris King. At the end of a lopsided first period the Blades were trailing 5 to 1 to the Junior Blues. Despite the early setbacks they battled back to 5-3 at the end of two with goals from Mike Rose and Aaron Schwartz with his second for the night. The third period was started with a goal from Matt Woodford just 3 minutes in, leaving almost a full period to tie things up. Unfortunately another comeback was not in the cards for the Blades, despite out shooting the Blues 46-31.

Player of the Game: Aaron Schwartz

Goals: M. Rose, M. Woodford, A. Schwartz (2)

Assists: P. Rose, S. Bailey (3), A. Scwartz, M. Rose, M. Hand, L. Dearing

Goalie: N. Rodway 60mins, 31 shots – 26 saves

Saturday’s Game: Blades: 6 – Avalon: 3

Saturday’s game against Avalon gave the Blades a chance to redeem themselves after a tough loss to the Blues and they didn’t waste it. Robert Bartlet was the first to put the Blades on the board with a shorthanded goal assisted by Mark Hand. Matt Woodford’s late second period goal proved to be the winner.

Player of the game: Aaron Schwartz

Goals: L. Gray, R. Bartlett (2), M. Woodford, A. Schwartz (2)

Assists: D. Evans, L. Dearing, M. Hand, J. Blair (2)

Goalie: N. Rodway 60mins, 31 shots – 28 saves

Sunday’s Game: CBN Stars: 8 – Blades: 6

The Blades played their third game in three nights on Sunday and played as such very early on. Adam Park (Stars) squeaked a wrist shot through Rodway’s five-hole just ten seconds into the game. The Stars were fore-checking hard, never giving the Blades a break in their own zone. With the Blades doing most of the heavy hitting, chippy play led to a tripping penalty on Paul Smith. This was all the Stars needed to put them up  2-0 half way into the first period. Despite getting 17 first period shots on Star’s goalie Jason Penney, most were lackluster attempts which were easily saved. But the Blades continued to put shots on net and battle it out in the defensive zone. With a few great saves from Rodway, including a blocker save off a screened tip shot and a great defensive play to save a goal by forward Brandon McDonald (24) to get back and lift the stick of a Stars player in a two on one; the Blades stayed in the game. Matt Woodford put the Blades on the board first with a solid fore-check leading to a smooth backhand chip in over Penney’s (Stars) left shoulder. Then with less then three minutes to play in the first, Phillip Brace made a nice play to keep the puck in at the Stars’ blue line for Bailey who wheeled and fired a snap shot from high slot over Penney’s left shoulder again.

The second period was back and forth from the very beginning with Jacob Pitcher tipping in a point shot to make it 3-2 with just one minute played. The Blades’ lead would be short lived however, after a face to the right of Rodway resulted in a slap shot from the point leaving a juicy rebound for Adam Park to fire past a sprawling Rodway.  Aaron Schwartz scored to put the Blades up 4-3 and then Robert Bartlett scored on a partial break-away after a five hole shot trickled over the line to beat Stars’ goalie Penney to make it 5-3. Both teams traded power play goals, including a well worked power play by the Blades to set up Larry Gray sneaking in off the blue line to fire a one timer from his knee to beat Penney upstairs for a beautiful goal. Ending the second the Blades looked well in command, leading 6-4.

Unfortunately for the Blades, the tired legs began to show in the third period with the Stars scoring four unanswered goals in the third period, two of which were on the power play while the other two were unassisted. The Thursday night all-star game meant five of the top players for the Blades were playing their fourth game in four nights, while the remainder were playing their third in three.

Player of the Game: Jacob Pitcher

Goals: L. Gray, S. Bailey, M. Woodford, R. Bartlett, J. Pitcher, A. Schwartz

Assists: S. Bailey (2), P. Smith, D. Evans, L. Dearing, B. MacDonald, P. Brace, J. Pitcher

Goalie: N. Rodway 60mins, 28 shots – 20 saves

Injury News

The weekend got off to a bad start a day early as Harry Bartlett left the All-Star game on Thursday with a groin injury. His status is unknown at this time but it’s feared his injury may be a lengthy one. AP Ben Gosse has been backing up Rodway in the meantime.

The Blades bench looks on during third period action vs. the Caps. | Photo by: Colin Peddle

This weekend will be a busy weekend for the Mark’s Work Wearhouse Mount Pearl Junior Blades. Along with the All-Star game that is being played Thursday night, the Blades will play 3 games Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday night the travel to Bell Island to face the Junior Blues, Saturday night they will play Avalon, while on Sunday night they host the CBN Jr. Stars. The Blades are a combined 7-0-1 against these teams on the year thus far. The Blades will be missing the play of John Ryan this weekend as he has 8 points against these teams on the year in just 4 games.

Against Bell Island this year, the Blades have won both games they have played, the first 6-2 and the second 9-1. Steve Bailey and Mike Rose have led the Blades attack against the Blues this year, both tallying 4 points in the 2 games and goalie Nick Rodway has stopped 68 of 71 shots fired at him. The Blades can not take this team for granted and can not count out the Junior Blues’ top scorers and all-stars: Jonathon Hull, Daniel Roberts and Chris King.

The series with CBN this year has been a little lopsided with the Blades winning by the scores of 6-3, 7-6 and 8-2. Bailey has tallied 8 points against the Stars with Aaron Schwartz chipping in with 6, Rose with 5 and Robert Barrett with 4 points. Harry Bartlett played 2 games against the Stars, turning aside 65 of 69 shots. CBN will be looking for a strong efforts from leading scorer Blair Adams, but he will need help from Brandon Burry, Tyler Adams and Shane McGrath. In the first game these 2 teams played against each other this season, resulted in a combined 236 minutes in penalties, so this could be a chippy affair.

When the Blades host Avalon Sunday night, they will be playing one of the teams that has caused some trouble for them this year. While they have not lost to Avalon, all games have been close, especially the last game in which they tied 4-4, on the strength of Avalon’s goalie Kyle Downer’s 48 saves. Bailey, Schwartz and Rose are once the Blades leading scorers in this series. Bailey has 6 points, with Schwartz and Rose each notching 5 points. The Blades will have to keep an eye on Avalon’s Nick Bray. While he’s had a quieter year then previous ones, he led the league in scoring last year and can break out at anytime. The job of keeping him off the score sheet will be up to Bartlett or Rodway. Bartlett has stopped 65 of 71 shots fired at him by Avalon this year, while Rodway turned away 21 of 24.

John Ryan battles with a Caps' player during early season action.

Mark’s Work Wearhouse Mount Pearl Junior Blades rookie forward John Ryan will be out of action indefinitely. Ryan was hit into the visiting team bench Sunday night at the Glacier during the third period of play in the game between the Blades and the Flyers. Ryan left that game, and was taken to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a broken collar bone, a ruptured ear drum and a mild concussion. Everyone involved with the Blades would like to wish John well and for a safe and speedy recovery, and hopefully he can return to the ice before long, and help the Blades defend the League Championship. Please leave your thoughts and get well wishes to John in a comment on this thread.

Click here to send get well wishes to John.

Sunday night at the Glacier, the Mark’s Work Wearhouse Mount Pearl Junior Blades defeated the Trinity-Placnetia Junior Flyers 5-3. The Blades were down 2-1 after the first period. Robert Hynd scored the opening goal, but Jacob Pitcher quickly replied for the Blades. John O’Reilly scored for the Flyers before the end of the first frame. Jungle Jim’s Home Team Player of the Game, Brandon McDonald, scored twice in the second period, which put the Blades up 3-2 with one period left to play. John Ryan and Matt Woodford score 14 seconds apart in the third as the Blades took a 5-2 lead. The Flyers scored late midway through the third, but it was too little too late, as the Blades escaped with a hard fought victory. The Flyers outshot the Blades 50-34, but Harry Bartlett stood tall between the pipe, and made 47 saves to earn the victory.

There was a scary moment late in the game. Blades rookie John Ryan was hit into the Trinity-Placentia players bench. John left the game and was taken to the hospital. Nothing has been confirmed, but early reports are the Ryan has suffered a broken Collar Bone, which will be a big loss for the Blades.

Goals: Brandon McDonald (2), Jacob Pitcher, John Ryan, Matt Woodford

Assists: Robert Barrett (2),  Dan Evans, Patrick Rose, Mark Hand, Aaron Schwartz, Paul Mitchelmore, Paul Smith

Goalie: Harry Bartlett, 47 Saves

League players of the month for December 2009

The St.John’s Junior League has named its All-star team, and six players from the Mark’s Work Wearhouse Junior Blades have been selected to represent the City Division. Captain Steve Bailey will be joined by Mike Rose, Lucas Dearing, Larry Gray, Paul Mitcehlmore and Harry Bartlett. Bailey and Mitchelmore have played in previous all-star games, while this the first time the others have been selected. The game is scheduled to be played Thursday, Jan 28 at the Jack Byrne Arena in Torbay, game time is 7:00 pm.

In other League notes Mike Rose, Paul Mitchelmore and goalie Nick Rodway all earned player of the month distinctions for December. Rose scored 5 goals and added 4 assits in 3 games in being named Player of the Month, Goaltender of the Month was Nick Rodway, who went 2-0 in the month while stopping 63 of 72 shots, and Mitchelmore was named Defenseman of the Month after scoring 2 goals and 2 assists in 2 games, plus displaying a strong defensive game. The Blades went 3-0 for the month, and were certainly led by the efforts of these 3, along with the rest of the Blades.

Congratulations to all of the above mentioned for your awards and honours.

Mark Hand rips a shot over Pearson's left shoulder. | photo by: Colin Peddle

After losing to Celtics on Friday night the Mark’s Work Wearhouse Mount Pearl Junior Blades were out for revenge on home ice. Bandon McDonald opened scoring midway through the first period on a cunning backhand to beat Celtics goalie David Parsons between the legs. Late in the first, Brian Hogan released Steve Bailey on a partial break to beat Parsons on a tricky shot from the top of the circle.

The second period began with Celtics down 2-0, but they quickly got to within one. A defensive breakdown left Fitzgerald alone in front to slip the puck backhand to beat a sprawling Nick Rodway. John Ryan scored an unassisted marker for the third goal for the Blades Mark Hand scored a short handed goal with about 2 minutes left in the 2nd, but the Celtics replied 13 seconds later as Kyle Pardy let a howitzer go to make it 4-2 after 2 periods of play.

Pardy got his second goal of the game to make it 4-3 for the Blades, and the Celtics continued to surge, but the Blades held of the attack, with the help from Nick Rodway playing stellar between the pipe. Mark Hand scored his second of the game into an empty net after the Celtics pulled their goalie, and his third goal came within 10 seconds after to complete the hat-trick.

Goals: Mark Hand (3), Brandon McDonald, Steve Bailey, John Ryan

Assists:Paul Smith, Brian Hogan, Lucas Dearing

Goalie: Rodway made 37 saves on 40 shots for the “W”