Blades knockoff Kings 3- 0

UPDATED: The Blenheim Blades put the finishing touch on their 2023 calendar with a 3-0 shutout over the Dresden Kings on Friday.
The Blades scored once in each period – rookie Andrew Goulet in the first, veteran Tate Bowden on a power-play in the second and rookie Justin Ewald with a man advantage in the third.
Jake Vancoillie stopped 27 shots for this third shutout of the season and seventh in his three years with the Blades.
The first of the Blades’ six injured players returned as forward Zach VanBoxtel played for the first time since Dec. 3 as he had an assist.
The game also marked the return of defenceman Will McCracken to the Blades after a three-year absence, and the debut for forward Nick Cameron, who signed last week after leaving the 73’s, where he had six goals and five assists in 19 games.
The win, however, came at a price as defenceman Craig Spence, the leading candidate for the league’s MVP honour, was ejected with a spearing major in the second period which carries an automatic four-game suspension. Spence will be eligible to return on Jan. 14 when the Blades host the Kings in the first of a back-to-back set.
The win gives the Blades a 19-9-1-0 record for 39 points, good for third place in the PJHL Stobbs Division, one point ahead of the Wheatley Sharks.
The Blades ring in the new year in Essex on Tuesday night against the first-place 73’s and then play eight straight games against the bottom four, beginning next Saturday in Amherstburg before hosting the Mooretown Flags on Sunday, Jan. 7 for their first home game of 2024.
See the Jan. 3 edition of The Blenheim News-Tribune for full Blades coverage.
PICTURED – Gavin Meriano and Andrew Goulet are all smiles as the Blades assured themselves of a Happy New Year with a 3-0 win in Dresden on Friday. (Heather Smith Phot