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J Sports SKATEBOARDING -TIPS & TRICKS - VZatch !he 10-part video sertos tor your chance to... WIN â West49skateboard package Canabian â>tatcëtnan ♦ July 19, 2006 ♦ durhamregion.com y jgÿgi^e y Brad Kelly Merchants moving on after series sweep Quietly, the Brooklin Merchants continue continue to go about their business in a professional manner, void of any big, bold headlines or major attention from the lacrosse community. The headlines part, well, we can be held accountable for that. As for gamering gamering more support, well that's a question the club even struggles to answer. And perhaps, with so many teams m this area, there may not be an answer or solution. But there is one certainty: the Sr. B lacrosse club is still around, through the first, round of the playoffs and eagerly awaiting a destination for the semifinals. semifinals. The Merchants disposed of the Mohawk Stars in the minimum two games, both one goal decisions. In the opener at the Luther Vipond Arena on Friday, the Merchants eked out a 9-8 victory, and then Sunday, closed out the best-of-three series, with an 8-7 win. "We have been preaching discipline all year long, and from early on in the year to the point we are at now, we aren't taking taking any retaliation penalties and no over ; : aggressive penalties," says Steve McCarthy McCarthy who has been'with the Merchants ; for seven seasons, four as a player and the past three as GM and coach. "We are getting a lot more Opportunities Opportunities on the power play, and that has been a big advantage." The series between the two clubs was expected to be close, as the Merchants finished fourth overall "with a 7-4-3 record, while the Stars were right behind in fifth with a mark of 5-8-1. But coaches often talk about peaking at the right time, and design a plan that will give their club the best chance of reaching that status late in the season. McCarthy's plan has worked to perfection. perfection. After a slow start, the team went 5-1-3 over its last , nine games, and more importantly, is perfect in the playoffs thus far where it counts the most. The uncertainty of the next round opponent lies in the fact that Owen Sound and Ennismore need a third and deciding game in their series, scheduled for Saturday. If Ennismore wins, then the Merchants will draw Wellington, while if Owen Sound prevails, it will be a bit more of a glamorous matchup for local fans, with the Merchants drawing the first place Ajax-Pickering Rock. '•'Ajax-Pickering has been a rival of ours since we came back into the league, but they've had our number the last couple of seasons," says McCarthy. Obviously, that's the semifinal people ; would like to see, or perhaps even the final. . If that was to be the case, then maybe some much-deserved attention would come the way of the club. , ■ 7 "We have had an incredible turnover of players the last two years, but I've never been associated with a team that is as close knit as these 25," notes McCarthy. "The fan support started strong, but it 1 has waned. "I was pretty disappointed with the first round home playoff gate on Friday, but it was 35 degrees outside, and who knows what the temperature was inside," he laughs. It was hot, just like his club. Brad Kelly's column appears every third Wednesday. E-mail bkelly@durhamregum.com Beecroft cracks top-30 at Men's Amateur Newcastle golfer fires sizzling 69 in final round of Ontario Championship OSHAWA - How fitting, that the ■ winner of the Investor's Group Ontario Men's Amateur Golf Championship had the last name Parr. That would be Parr as in Andrew Parr, of London. A second straight 67 on Friday lifted Parr to a six shot victory over the rest of the field at the 84th annual tournament tournament that was hosted by the Oshawa Golf Club. Parr finished with a four round total of 270 (72-64-67-67) to finish ahead of Kevin Blue of Don Mills, who completed the tournament at minus-8 (70-70-68-68). "I really enjoyed myself this week," said Parr. "To play against such a competitive competitive field and come out on top is a great feeling." The golf course played extremely tough throughout the week, with only four golfers managing to finish under par. Among the local players, David Arnold of Brooklin was the best, finishing finishing in a tie for 21st overall with rounds of 71-74-77-73. Following close behind were J.C. Beecroft of - Newcastle who tied for "29th (75-76- 79-69) and Oshawa's Dustin Weth- erup, who finished tied for 36th (71- 76-78-76). The tournament is a great stepping stone for many players, as the top 44 golfers received exemptions into the 2006 Canadian Amateur Champion- : ship, and will tee it up at,Mississauga Golf and Country. Club from Aug. 12-18 to test their,skills at the national level. uncertain Whitby native continues to battle concussion problems which sidelined him last season in Philadelphia BY SHAWN CAYLEY . Staff Writer OSHAWA - The grim reality of suffering s serious concussion may be on the verge of setting in for Whitby's Keith Primeau. While not willing to concede anything anything just yet, the thought of retirement has began to enter into the mind of the Philadelphia Flyers forward/ "I think, -those thoughts crept into my mind over the past two or three months," Primeau admitted last week while in Oshawa. "But again, I am not at the point where I am willing to concede and pack it in and call it a career. I still think I have more to offer." Just how much that will be should Primeau return to the ice is questionable questionable considering the former Detroit Red Wing, Hartford Whaler and Carolina Carolina Hurricane didn't play hockey during the lockout and only managed nine games before suffering a seasonending seasonending concussion in October courtesy of a hard hit from Montreal Canadiens forward Alexander Perezhogin. Keith Primeau on the prospect of retirement 1 think, those thoughts crept into my mind over the past two or three months. But again, I am not at the point where I am willing to concede and pack it in and call it a career. I still think I have more to offer.' For more on this story |*< WATCH VIDEO durhamrtglogooni Even Primeau himself is left wondering. wondering. ; ' "It's going to be 30 months since I have played," 1 he said, assuming he is ready for training camp in September. "Not only does the concussion start to weigh on you, but the amount of time you've been away from the game Starts to weigh on your mind. "It's been stressful for sure," he added, of dealing with the unpredictably of a concussion. "But you know, I also accept it for what it is and that is an injury that I can't expedite, I can only allow it to heal it's own way and that is what I am trying to do." What's made things easier is the continued continued support Primeau has received not only from his family, but from the Flyers organization as well. "I have had tremendous support, first and foremost the organization has been tremendous. I've been in constant con tact with coach Ken Hitchcock and GM Bobby Clarke, and they completely completely understand that injuries are a part of the business and they've allowed me the space and freedom to heal and get better at my own pace," Primeati said. "My wife has (also) been tremendous and a real support for me while my children have really understood and accepted that at this time I am injured and can't play." With two-years remaining on his contract, contract, Primeau harbour^ hopes of fulfilling fulfilling that deal, but also understands that should he suffer another setback, the Flyers may opt to move on. "That's what I am working towards, but I also know that the window is quickly closing and the team can't wait forever, and I wouldn't expect them to wait forever," explained Primeau, who owns career totals of 266-353-619 in 909 games. "Closer to training camp, before or after, one of the two, I'll probably need to make some sort of decision." Walter Passarella/Metroland Durham Region Media Group J.C. Beecroft, of Newcastle, putts out on the eighth hole at the Oshawa Golf Club during the final round of the Ontario Men's Amateur Champ- ship. Troy May, the owner of the Oshawa Oshawa Dodgers of the Intercounty Baseball League, was seriously injured in a car accident along with members of his family on Sunday. Dodgers owner Troy May and family injured in car crash KITCHENER -- The Oshawa Dodgers Dodgers chalked up another loss on Sunday in Kitchener, however, unfortunately that is the. least of their concerns right now. On Sunday evening while traveling from a Rookie Ball Tournament in Niagara Niagara Falls, Dodgers third base coach and owner Troy May, along with his family family were involved in a very serious two vehicle accident. May is currently in Cambridge Memorial Memorial Hospital with several broken bones in his leg, broken ribs and has fluid in his lungs. Troy's wife Lori, an officer on the Dodgers' executive, was also injured and was kept in the same hospital for observation observation overnight before being released on Monday morning. The May's eldest son, Jamie was airlifted to Toronto Sick Children's Hospital with serious internal injuries. An operation was required on Monday and Jamie, although in serious condition, is expected to recover completely with the aid of therapy. Connor, the May's younger son, was airlifted to Hamilton McMaster Hospital Hospital where he underwent two operations to relieve pressure due to severe head injuries. Connor's condition will not be stabilized for several days. On the diamond, Matt Tosoni didn't have much support on Sunday. The Dodgers all-star starter gave up only six hits against the Kitchener Panthers, Panthers, but unfortunately, the defence behind him committed almost as many errors (four) in the Dodgers' 7-1 loss. Tosoni allowed six of the seven runs, however, only one of them was earned, which .came off of Byron Bell's fifth inning grand slam. Offensively, the Dodgers were unable to produce much of anything against the tandem of Adam Hummell and Adam Homostaj. Hummel started and pitched five innings of one run ball with six strikeouts, while Hornostaj tossed four scoreless innings for the save. Brad McConnachie had two hits, including a double, and Ken Cahvay smacked a solo homer in the fourth inning to account for the Dodgers' offence. Tonight, Oshawa returns to the field when they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs at Christie Pits. In their last trip to Toronto, the Dodgers smacked around the then first place Maple Leafs and will be looking to duplicate the feat. Their final home game is slated for this Saturday Saturday when they host Hamilton. McComb warns of letdown for Warriors Whitby jumps out to 2-0 series lead over Ottawa in Jr. A quarterfinals BY SHAWM CAYLEY Staff Writer WHITBY -- His team was up two games to none heading into last night, but Whitby Warriors coach Jeff McComb was wary of a letdown. Not that he thinks it would happen, but he didn't want his team to look too far ahead after jumping out in front of the Ottawa Titans 2:0 in their best-of- seven quatcrfinal series, after a 12-6 win in Whitby on Friday and an 8-6 triumph in the nations capital on Sunday. Sunday. Friday, the Warriors were bolstered by the return of Zack Greer, and he made an immediate impact, factoring factoring in on six of Whitby's 12 goals on the night, including five assists. He wasn't the only one to post a huge line in the playoff opener as Brad Lcvick fired four goals, while Justin Fox had five points, three of them goals and Shane Sargent had two goals and three assists. For one, Fox's performance stood out in the eyes of his coach. "He has picked up right where he left off for us during the season," said McComb. "He has continued to score timely goals for us and that is really encouraging coming from a first year guy." Although the contests, Game 2 specifically, specifically, have been close score wise, it's safe to say the better team is ahead, and for good reason. "To be honest, 1 just think we arc more talented then they arc," said McComb, as to why the Warriors had jumped out to the 2-0 series lead heading heading into last night. "Don't get me wrong, they (Ottawa) arc a hard working team, and they are not going to roll over, but we have just been a little better then them in most area's so far." Having said (hat, is McComb expecting expecting much of the same result through the remainder of the series? "1 would hope so," he said prior to Game 3. "But in reality, the league has fc so close all year long that if you d show up and compete, your not gv to win. In the first couple game think we have done a good job doing that (showing up)." NOTES: Mitch McMicliael Mike Pearson scored the other Wh goals in Game I... In the second ga Kyle O'Brien had three goals, w Zaek Greer, Matt Savoie, Justin and McMicliael added single mark Fox and Chris Davey each added assists. IMSiWiiiBi! S'-:; v.