Blues Drop Game Three, Still Up By One

A lack of bodies and a lack of discipline cost the Dundas Blues a chance to take a stranglehold in their quarter-final series against Chippawa, as they lost 7-3 Sunday night.

Already down to 10 forwards and five defencemen, the Blues lost two key players to bad penalties and blew a 3-1 lead as Chippawa took advantage to score six unanswered goals.

Dundas opened the scoring in the first period with a goal from Kevin Dowling, assisted by Andrew Cebulak and Mike Peters. After Chippawa tied it at one, Aaron Demain found the net, assisted by BJ Caco and Sean Malone, to give Dundas a 2-1 lead going into the second period.

Neither team received a penalty in the opening period, showing no indication of the trouble that was to come.

Less than three minutes in the middle frame, Jonathon Cox got into a fight and was handed a five minute major as well as a game misconduct.

Andrew Kolodzey scored for Dundas almost seven minutes later to give Dundas the 3-1 lead. John Murray and Andrew Clark had assists, but general manager Steve Aglor said Clark decided to "rub it in" to the Chippawa goalie. He received a 10 minute misconduct for inciting an opponent, then was tossed out of the game for "abuse of officials" when he made a few choice comments on the way to the penalty box.

"Two selfish plays left us with nine forwards and four defence, two forwards had to move back, which was the turning point of the game," Aglor said. "When we lost Clark the game seemed to turn right around in Chippawa's favour."

The home team scored four straight unanswered goals to complete the come back from a two-goal deficit to a four goal win.

Dundas goalie Shawn Krzykala made 19 saves and allowed five goals in the first two periods and just over two minutes of the third frame. He was replaced by Cam Graham after Chippawa took a 5-3 lead. Graham allowed two goals and made six saves in 17 minutes of play in the final period.

"It's playoff hockey and that is the time of year you have to turn your cheek," Aglor said.

After two back-to-back games, Dundas and Chippawa will get a day off before moving back to Dundas' J.L. Grightmire Arena for game four on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Dundas leads the best of seven series two game to one.