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Hometown, not home ice,advantage for BladesBy Herb GarbuttOakville natives accounted for five OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFof the Blades goals Sunday two each from Braedan Russell and In the first five games, it hadTyler Karius and one from Phil eluded all established hockey logic.Hampton as Oakville moved Teams battle for months for thewithin a win of advancing to the right to host as many home gamesconference finals.as possible during theRussell took Josh I've seen theplayoffs. Ranallis backhand But going into lastpass out of the corner teams thisnight's (Tuesday's)and snapped a shot organization has Game 6 at Sixteen Milepast Burlington goal-put together so to Sports Complex (aie Adrian Volpe to be part of onegame that began afteropen the scoring. The and helping themthe Beaver's press18-year-old rookie deadline), the Oakvillesaid after following go a long way, it'sBlades and Burlingtonthe Blades through-a lot of fun.Cougars seem incapa-out his minor hockey ble of winning on their career with the Braedan Russellown rink. That trendOakville Rangers, its continued Sunday as the Bladesexciting to be a part of the team.skated to a 7-3 victory in Burlington.Ive seen the teams this organi-It was the fifth straight road victoryzation has put together so to be in the Ontario Junior Hockeypart of one and helping them go a League North/West semifinallong way, its a lot of fun.MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVERseries, giving Oakville a 3-2 lead inWhile Russell gave the Blades CREATING SPACE: Oakville Blades forward Braedan Russell (left) shields the puck from Burlington Cougarsthe best-of-seven affair.an early boost, it was Karius that player Connor McMonagle Sunday in Burlington. Russell scored twice as the Blades won 7-3 to take a 3-2 lead in theirAnd while home ice may nothad the Cougars reeling before the Ontario Junior Hockey League North/West semifinal series. Oakville had a chance to eliminate the Cougars last night.necessarily have been an advantagefirst intermission. The second-year in the series, the Blades could atBlade scored with 2:23 left in the See Blades, page 27least claim a hometown advantage.Quality Baseball in Our Community since 19632011 Player RegistrationFor House League and Select Programs for all Players Born 1993 to 2007Teams and divisions are lling up. Spots are still available in most divisions.Do not be disappointed. Register Now.Register online atwww.baseballoakville.comor download registration form and mail with payment.Or Visit our clubhouse on SaturdaysFrom 10 AM to 1 PM at 1236 Speers Road, Unit #4For more information email us at info@baseballoakville.com23 Wednesday, March 16, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER www.insideHALTON.com