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THEHEItALD Jsnuiy mi And the action is underway Players exchange flags Sportsmanship the winner in Finnish game Georgetown fans who Jammed their way into the Gordon Alcott Memorial Arena last Tuesday lo enjoy this area first taste of nlcrnotionnl hockey were in for a bit of a surprise That European brand of hockey that has been so highly touted by hockey officials on side of the Atlantic and the other is not all that much different from the brand served up week in and week out by the Sunny Acres Farm Midgets The Georgetown Midgets finished gome with a victory over the I VAASA Midgets of Finland but ihc tight score was more a result of Ihe local team hosts than on the play or their visiting op The office camaraderie all began Monday nigh I at an official banquet at the North Golf and Country Club at which he Finnish players still trying to recover some energy from a game the night before In Brampton which they lost met their hosts for their brief twoday stay in Georgetown All boys were with members of the Georgetown team Mayor Tom Hill and Councillor Miller represented II town of Hills at the banquet the highlight of which was the presentation by the manager of the Vaasa Sport team Per of a book relating the history of the small Finnish city to Mayor Hill Canadian flags that had been decorating the tables were presented lo each of the Finnish players by their Canadian hosts Although language was most definitely a problem the young hockey players ma ruined to del Colins back Well hello again Georgetown This Is your intrepid Sports Editor Colin Gibson letting you know much to the dismay of some I am sure that in a short while 1 be back In harness and once more covering the Georgetown b ports scene As moat of you ore aware I was In volved in a car train accident last December 3 and be quite honest but for tl grace of God and some very fine doctors at Toronto General Hospital I might not still be around Another note personal thanks has lo go to George Cozens and Bob Simpson of the Georgetown Volunteer Ambulance Service who responded to the call and performed magnificently very trying was only made ware of the fine Job they did from a doctor at Toronto General Hospital and am taking this opportunity now to ex press my deepest gratitude There la another group of I would like to thank at this time for Ihe concern they showed and that you the people of clown For about the first week I was pretty under sedation but as I came out of it 1 noticed this blossoming forest of cards on my bedside table 1 was In tal one day less than a month and not a day went by but the nurse was hand mc cards All told received well over from people knew high school students pub school and even from people who even follow sports but wanted to wish me well People called Ihe newspaper da me well and believe me cards and phone calls pushed me Just a Utile further along the road to recovery I am home now have to check back Inlo the hospital periodically far tests and I hope have the opportunity to personally thank those who expressed an Interest in my health By all means though If you spot mc don t be hesitant in opening a conversation I lost about lbs am sporting a broken Jaw and have a slight problem with one of my eyes but for the most part things arc looking good I realize this is somewhat belated tut I would like to sincerely v si oil of a happy prosperous and fulfill g May you all have a Happy New Tuesday mom the Fin nlsh visitors were treated to a visit lo the Domtar Paper Mill courtesy of the plan officials Then it was onto the Ice A standing room only crowd packed every comer of the Gordon lo witness this first international match They were treated lo a pretty fine display of sportsmanship with only one major yet exception late in the game both prior to and during the game Mr representing the federal government Julian Heed representing provincial riding of Burlington made special presentations marking the match to members of both teams And then the players exchanged gifts The Sunny Acres Farms Midgets pr beautiful trophies to their Finnish cohorts The entire visit and ceremonies had been organized I y members of the Georgetown Minor Hockey Support Group with a great deal of assistance from Dick Mctiack of the Chlnguacousy Minor Hockey Association who was one of the prime co ordinators of the trip cert rest of the official fan fare was over the players got down to turn a i waiting lor and working for past two months Finland threatened roll the Georgetown Midgets right out of the with on early goal Just over five minutes into tho action Kent took a pass from Svon I rik to beat at net minder Bra I Her The only thing however keeping off Ihe boards was the work of Finland enthusiastic little goalie He was certainly one of the mainstays Phllbrook makes presentation of the visiting team game The old myth that teams biggest problem were their goal tenders has certainly been taking a beating lately Finland moved ahead on a goal Just over one minute later as KaJ from Antero Sara But Georgetown remained cool and collected With four minutes left In the first period Michael Buck set up Allison for a quick shot to the net That came with one Finnish player sitting In the penalty box a problem that was going to plague Vaasa regularly during the game Just seconds Into he middle period Mike Richmond tied game up at two goals apiece on a nice bit of passing with Michael Buck and Paul Martin The Georgetown Canadian supporters however were soon stilted as Jarvl for Finland The third period belonged to Georgetown although nil the attention soon focused on Finland When the second Finnish player was tagged by the referee for a game misconduct as a result of some post play shenanigans the entire Finnish learn cleared the bench and Ice and headed for Iheir dressing room After a bit of low level negotiations part of Ihe team relumed to play the final in minutes with a bare mlnlmu of players To their credit those players particularly No 14 who did stick out entire game rut on a tremendous display of check Las the fact they had to do it almost without break Aiao an the Fins behalf might be pointed out tl at because they did not Russ Miller handles the official faceoff the language and were not 1y comprehending what they getting the penalties for they were gelling more confused and angered as game progressed It probably seemed them It at the referees were simply handing out game misconducts to them because they wanted although both colls by game officials that brought about the dispute were Justified under Canadian and rules Early in the third period Greg Schenk set up Andy for the tying goal and then with three left play capped a fine Individual effort lo blast I the winning marker The Georgetown loss was the second the Fins had suffered in stages of their tour of tarlo centres takt them to I St Catharine and back to BINGO ROYAL CANADIAN ION Branch Wed Jan 19 GAMES EARLY BIROS SPECIAL JAMES JACKPOT Charge of Market Place OPTICAL ALL DOCTORS PRESCRIPTIONS For eye glasses filled with utmost care EYE EXAMINATIONS Arranged OPEN TUESDAY THRU SATURDAY OPEN THURSDAYS TO PM call 8773562 Georgetown Market Centre