Blades Advance, Oust The Kings

The Blenheim Blades eliminated the Dresden Kings Wednesday night in game six of the PJHL’s opening playoff round.

In front of 657 people in Dresden, the Blades ended up on the winning end of a 5-3 decision.

To open the game Dresden’s Ryan Malott got the Kings on the board. Blenheim responded quickly with goals from Drew Marlatt and Kier Cumming to take a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission.

In the second, the Kings took the lead with goals by Kevin Ritzer and Geoffry VandenBoorn.

Bryce Broad tied it up at 3-3, scoring for the Blades midway through the frame.

The second period also saw a moment Kings fans will still be talking about for some time, the Kings scored to take a a 4-3 lead, only to have the goal called off as the referee ruled the net was off before the puck crossed the line. During moments of pressure, it was a common occurrence to see the Blenheim net dislodged throughout this series, angering Kings fans.

Instead, the game headed to the third period tied 3-3.

Less than three minutes into the final period, Kier Cumming created a turnover at his own blueline, beat another Kings defender, and streaked in along the goal line, burying a bad angle shot, which would stand as the series clinching goal. Cumming finished the night with 3-points.

Carter Wright would later score an empty net goal to secure the 5-3 victory.

Blenheim will not face the top ranked Lakeshore Canadiens.