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By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR GEORGETOWN It took a couple months, but the Oakville Blades finally have their mojo back. The defending Ontario Junior Hockey League champions looked like their old selves Wednesday in Georgetown, handing the Raiders their first regulation-time loss on home ice this season. The Blades thoroughly outplayed their rivals from the north throughout the evening, outshooting Georgetown 39-16 on the way to a convinc- ing 5-1 win. The victory, Oakvilles eighth in a row, pulled the Blades to within two points of Georgetown for second place in the West Conference standings a position Oakville could have only dreamed of being in a couple months ago. The Blades were just 9-8-1 through their first 18 games, the teams worst start in five years. Since the beginning of November, however, Oakville has won 15 of 18. I knew we had the team, said Blades head coach Mark Jooris. Were going to compete for an RBC Cup (national champi- onship). It took a little time getting used to new systems and the kids getting together... but everyones buying in right now. Oakville captain Nick Rivait might have prompted the turnaround as well, vocalizing his concerns at a few team meetings earlier this year. We talked about things in the room, things we wanted to take care of and guys buying in. Guys that didnt want to be here and buy in, we would let them go. I sat down and told them that, said the 20-year-old defenceman. We wanted the same intensity as last year. That intensity was apparent Wednesday as the Blades forechecked relentlessly, hem- ming the Raiders in their own zone much of the night and creating plenty of scoring chances. Generating offence was the biggest prob- lem for Oakville early in the season. The Blades were held to two goals or less in 13 of their first 28 games, averaging just 3.28 goals a contest during that stretch. That production has nearly doubled dur- ing Oakvilles current winning streak, which has seen the Blades score 48 times in the eight games. At the middle of it all has been Stefan Thompson, acquired from the Cobourg Cougars a month ago. Thompson, who grew up in Oakville until moving to Waterloo in Grade 10, has scored nine goals and added 11 assists in 14 games with his new club. Hes also rejuvenated linemates Kyle Lysaght and Tyler Karius. Lysaght has 17 points over his last eight games, while Karius has 14 points during that stretch. Things are going the right way now, for sure. A big turnaround, a 180 (degree), said Thompson, who had a goal and two assists Wednesday. This is the best team Ive been on in jun- ior. Everyone knows we want to go to the SportsOakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2010 41 Blades regaining championship-winning form DIFFERENCE MAKER: Oakville Blades forward Stefan Thompson (in blue) one-times the puck past Georgetown Raiders goaltender Michael Nishi Wednesday in Georgetown. Thompson, acquired last month from the Cobourg Cougars, has helped the Blades turn their season around. EAMONN MAHER / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Team enters break on eight-game win streak after convincing win in Georgetown See Defence page 43