Lemieux outstanding in net, Blades nip Sharks 2-1

WHEATLEY – Sunday night the Blenheim Blades lost at home 6-3 to the Wheatley Sharks in PJHL Stobbs Division play, but it was a different story Wednesday in Wheatley as netminder Owen Lemieux turned aside 34 of 35 Sharks shots for a 2-1 victory.

    Lemieux, who was named the game’s first star, now has six wins in eight starts and a 2.50 goals against average.

    The victory moves Blenheim back into sole possession of second place with an 11-4-0-0 record and 22 points, two up on Wheatley. The Blades have now won three of their last four starts.

     Blenheim will be back in action Friday night in Lakeshore when they play the Canadiens at 7 p.m., and then return home Sunday for a tilt with the first-place Essex ’73s at 7.

     The Blades will be looking for their first win of the season over Lakeshore who have beaten then twice, and the same goes for Essex who have defeated Blenheim once.

     Blenheim took a 1-0 first period lead at 10:39 thanks to Joe Hayter’s third goal of the season, with assists going to Joe’s brother Matt and Breck Rainey.

      Justin Ewald made it 2-0 at 4:49 of the second 20 minutes when he batted a puck that was in the air past Lakeshore netminder Ethan Handley. The tally was assisted by Ewald’s linemates Tate Bowden and Darby Lemieux.

      Lakeshore got on the board at 7:02 of the final 20 minutes when Braydin Metcalf scored, but that was as close as they could get.

     BLADES BITS – The Blades have now beaten Wheatley in three of their four meetings to date this season, and the teams will face each other twice more before the playoffs…Remi Steen and Beau Moison did not dress for the Blades…Sunday’s game against Essex will be Remembrance Night with members of the Blenheim Branch 185 on hand before the puck drop for a short ceremony…Blenheim outshot Wheatley 36-35…The game was a tame affair with each team being assessed eight minor penalties, and both going 0-4 on their powerplays…As mentioned Lemieux was named the game’s first star with Metcalf the second and Handley the third…Attendance was 268.