Essex strikes early, defeat Blades

ESSEX – The PJHL Stobbs Division leading Essex ’73s came out of the gate red
hot Tuesday night in Essex scoring four goals in the first seven minutes and 26
second, and went on to defeat the second-place Blenheim Blades 6-2.
The win was the 17th of the year for Essex, who now have 36 points, five up
on Blenheim. The Blades are one up on the third-place Lakeshore Canadiens,
and three ahead of the fourth-place Wheatley Sharks.
The Canadiens and Sharks play Wednesday night in Wheatley at 7.
Next action for the Blades will be Sunday night when the ’73s come to town
for a rematch.
Gabreil Piccolo started the Essex four-goal outburst with the game just 1:30
old, followed by Game Barrette at 2:51, Liam Hall at 5:24 on a powerplay, and
Nate Dowling at 7:26.
Owen Lemieux had started in net for Blenheim, but was replaced by Jake
Vancoillie after Dowling scored.
Defenceman Alec Webster finally got the Blades on the scoreboard when he
netted a powerplay tally at 6:01 of the middle 20 minutes, with assists going to
Ryan Sanders and Landon Hoskins.
The goal was the third of the season for Webster.
Karson Beuglet scored a powerplay goal at 15:33, and Carter Dembinski an
even strength one at 17:17 of the period to end the scoring for Essex.
Blades rookie Justin Ewald finished off the scoring for the night at 6:27 of the
third period. It was Ewald’s 10th goal of the year, and was assisted by Tate
Bowden and Craig Spence.
BLADES BITS: Essex outshot Blenheim 47-23…The Blades had won four in a
row prior to Tuesday…After Sunday’s game against Essex the Blades will have
just one more home contest before the New Year…That game will be against
Lakeshore on Sunday, Dec. 17…Blenheim went 6-3-1 in the month of
November…Not dressed for the Blades, and all out with injuries, were Darby
Lemieux, Matt Hayter, Beau Moison, Remi Steen and Zack Van Boxtel…AP
defenceman Cohen Kirkwood, of Blenheim, was called up for the game…Friday

night there will be the Festival of Lights and a Santa Claus parade in Blenheim
with mascot Brutus Blade, some players and executive members taking part in
the parade.