Never let it be said the Mount Pearl Blades are afraid of a little extra work.
The Mark’s Blades are headed to the playoffs at the 2018 Don Johnson Memorial Cup in Membertou, N.S., after finishing with three wins in four preliminary-round games at the Atlantic junior B hockey championship. All three of their victories came in games that went beyond regulation, the latest being a 5-4 overtime decision against the East Hants, N.S., Penguins on Friday.
That win clinched a berth in the semifinal round for the Newfoundland and Labrador representatives and reigning St. John’s Junior Hockey League champions. They’ll face the Western Red Wings of Prince Edward Island at 4 p.m. Saturday. The preliminary-round matchup between those teams was on Thursday, with Mount Pearl prevailing 6-5 in a shootout.
The Blades’ other results were a 5-4 overtime win over the Moncton, N.B., Vito’s and a 3-0 loss to the host Kameron Miners.
The Penguins will take on the undefeated Miners in Saturday’s other semifinal contest.
Moncton finished outside the playoff picture.
Friday in Membertou, located just outside Sydney, the Blades got the game-winning goal from Colin O’Neil 3:33 into overtime.
It was the second marker of the game for O’Neil, who also had an assist. James O’Brien and Michael Broders each had a goal and a helper for the Blades, with Daniel Toope providing Mount Pearl’s other tally.
Stephen Predham had two assists for the winners
Mitch Rogers made 41 saves in the Blades’ net.
Twitter: @telysports
