The Collingwood Blues were back in action at Central Park Arena Saturday night taking on the visiting Caledon Admirals. Wearing the home Whites, the Blues made a couple of late lineup changes but iced many returning players for their first game action in nearly a year.

The Blues came out fast but could not convert any chances as the Caledon goaltender was equal to the task on several different occasions. After a Collingwood miscommunication at the offensive blueline, Caledon converted on a partial breakaway to put the Blues down 1-0 after the first frame.

The second period saw the Blues slip into a deeper hole to Caledon despite creating plenty of scoring chances in the frame. After the Blues were able to get some sustained offensive play going, the Caledon goaltender was yet again there to bail out his teammates and keep the Blues off the scoresheet. Caledon would get 2 goals in the frame to put the Blues down 3-0 heading into the third period.

The third period was all Collingwood, led by newly minted Captain Cam Garvey with 2 goals. The fireworks began 5 minutes and 39 seconds into the frame when Mark McIntosh was able to strike first by finishing a great pass from U18 call-up Lucas Texmo. The ice began to tilt in Collingwood's favour, and Garvey put the Blues within 1 after converting a cross-crease pass from Owen Sage. With the goalie pulled, and just over a minute to play, Garvey was able to pot his second of the game to send the game into overtime. In the extra frame, newly acquired veteran defenseman Eric Moreau completed the comeback by finishing off a slick backhand pass from Collingwood native Will Redick.

Coach Rob Bentivegna had this to say following the win at Central Park.

“It was great to see our guys in live-action tonight. These boys have given a tremendous amount to this organization and to each other over the last 15 months. Our staff was happy to see them get rewarded with a win. We didn’t start the way we wanted to, but the response in the third period from every player is something you are happy to see as a coach. We are looking forward to seeing the boys grow together as a team as we get closer to the start of the regular season.”

Next home Blues action comes September 18 vs Ottawa Jr Sens at 10 am Eddie Bush as the Blues host the Cottage Cup.