Friday night at O’Hehir Arena, the Mark’s Work Wearhouse Mount Pearl Junior Blades went down in defeat to the Junior Celtics, 5-3. The Blades had 2 goals from Steve Bailey and a single from Mark Hand. With the loss, the Blades are now 1-2-1 since the Christmas break. The Blades will look to turn their play around when they play the Celtics again, Sunday night at the Glacier.

The Mark’s Work Wearhouse Junior Blades earned a split this weekend as they lost to the St.John’s Caps, but rebounded with a victory over the Trinity-Placentia Flyers.

Saturday night, at Twin Rinks, the Blades went down to defeat to the St.John’s Junior Caps 7-4. The Blades goals were scored by Mike Rose, Jacob Pitcher, John Ryan and Jungle Jim’s Visiting Team Player of the Game Steve Bailey. Nick Rodway was between the pipes and made 31 saves.

Sunday afternoon the Blades traveled to Whitbourne and came away with an 8-6 victory. Jungle Jim’s Visiting team Player of the Game, Lucas Dearing, led the Blades offense with 2 goals and 1 assist. Mike Rose, Robert Barrett, Mark Hand, Aaron Schwartz, Jacob Pitcher and James Blair added singles. John Ryan chipped in with 3 helpers, while Pitcher and Steve Bailey added 2 assists each. Nick Rodway made 2o saves in the win.

The Mark’s Work Wearhouse Mount Pearl Junior Blades returned from the Christmas break Sunday night at the Glacier, and battled with Avalon to a 4-4 tie. The Blades came out firing, totaling 52 shots on Avalon Kyle Downer. The Blades had 14 shots in the first, 18 in the second, 15 in the third and 5 in the extra frame. The score was 2-1 for Avalon after one period of play, and the blades evened the score at 3 after 2. Paul Mitchelmore scored at the 14:29 mark in the third period to tie the game at 4. Lucas Dearing netted 2 goals for the Blades, with the single coming off the stick on Mark Hand. Harry Bartlett was between the pipes for the Blades and made 19 saves on 23 shots.

Mitchelmore was named Jungle Jim’s Home Team Player of the Game, while Downer received the nod for the visiting team.

The Blades will play 2 games on the road this coming weekend, with a big match up Saturday night against the St.John’s Caps at Twin Rinks. They will then travel to Whitbourne Sunday afternoon.

Blades Assistant Caption, #20 Matt Ryan | photo by: Colin Peddle

Christmas came early for the Mark’s Work Wearhouse Junior Blades this weekend, and the Blades won both games they played. Friday night the Blades traveled to the Bay Arena and deafeated the CBN Stars 8-1. They then took that momentum into their Sunday night home game against Bell Island and beat the Blues 9-1.

Friday night the Blades looked to be in for a tough match after the first period, leading by a score of 2-1, but came out of the intermission on fire scoring 4 more goals, while adding 2 more goals in the last frame. Aaron Schwartz and Robert Barrett lead the Blades with 2 goals each, while singles were added by Mike Rose, Jacob Pitcher, Steve Bailey and Mark Hand. Bailey also added 3 assists, and goalie Harry Bartlett made 29 saves in the win.

On Sunday, the Blades led 2-0 after the first period, 5-1 after 2 periods of play, and added 4 more goals in the third period. Dean Gordon scored 2 goals, with Matt Woodford, Jacob Pitcher, Paul Mitchelmore, Mark Hand, Matt Ryan, Luke Hillier and Mike Rose all adding singles. Ryan added an assist and was named Jungle Jim’s Home Team Player of the Game. Nick Rodway was in net for the blades and get the win by making 36 saves.

This weekend was especially important for Ryan, as this was his last game in Junior Blades uniform. After Christmas Matt will be traveling out of the province for a work-term, and will not be available to play for the Blades. With Matt being an over-age player this year, this was his final game. Everybody involved with the Blades would like to wish Matt the best of luck in the future, with his work-term and beyond, and would also like the thank him for his contributions over this junior career.

Finally, all of the players, coaches, and executive of the Mark’s Work Wearhouse Junior Blades would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy Holiday season, and the Blades will return to the ice in the New Year, eager to defend the League Championship.

www.hustleforacure.org

Annually, the Mark’s Work Wearhouse Mount Pearl Junior Blades make at Christmas time to a charity or a family in need. This year, the Blades decided to help out and support Hustle For A Cure. Referee Michael Dinn, a member of the Metro Referees Association, was diagnosed with Cancer a while back, and has since started to raise money for a charity (www.hustleforacure.org). Sunday night, at the Glacier, the Blades decided to help assist Michael in his efforts and donated $500.00 to the Hustle for A Cure charity, in Michael Dinn’s name. All Blades players will now wear a Hustle For a Cure sticker on their helmets. The Blades also made a donation to Michael and his family, for Christmas, of more than $600.00.

Friday night, at the Mobile Arena, the Mark’s Work Wearhouse Mount Pearl Junior Blades defeated the Southern Shore Junior Breakers 10-8. The Blades had a 7-2 lead after the 1st period, and managed to hold off a surging Shore team in the final 40 minutes for the victory.

Mike Rose scored 3 goals for the Blades, with Lucas Hillier and John Ryan each chipping in with 2. Singles were added by Steve Bailey, Paul Mitchelmore and Lucas Dearing. Dearing also picked up 3 assists. Nick Rodway made 27 saves in the win. Rose was named Jungle Jim’s Visiting Team Player of the Game. Home Team Player of the Game and league leading scorer, Shane Boland, had a 6 point night for the Shore.

The league will now break as players are writing MUN exams. The Blades will return to action on Dec 18th against the CBN Stars at the Bay Arena.

Tonight’s game between the Mount Pearl Junior Blades and Junior Celtic has been canceled due to the weather.

Replay date to be determined.