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SPORTS & LEISURE Basso's pair sinks first-place Cougars 7 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday, January 4, 2011 Late heroics spark Raiders By EAMONN MAHER Staff Writer The Georgetown Raiders began the new year with a last-second comeback victory on Sunday that they hope is the portent of good things to come in 2011. Ontario Jr. Hockey Leagueleading scorer Justin Basso tallied with just 22 seconds left in regulation to force overtime and then struck for his 39th goal of the season late in the extra period to give the Raiders a 3-2 triumph over the first-place Cougars in Burlington. With a recent flurry of trades indicating they're set for a run at a championship in the spring, the 25-10-3 Raiders went into the holiday break in a tailspin-- losing three of six games, including a humiliating 5-1 home loss to the Oakville Blades Dec. 22. And for over 59 minutes Sunday, it appeared as though coach Greg Walters' side would again be frustrated following a pair of one-goal losses at home to Burlington earlier in the campaign. With goalie Michael Nishi pulled in favour of an extra attacker, defender Matt Chiarantano's no-look shot was deflected by Basso into the net for the equalizer, and then in OT, Chiarantano began a 3-on-2 rush that was finished off with Basso firing a wrist shot over the glove of Cougar netminder Adrian Vope with just 16 seconds left to clinch the rousing win. Second-place Georgetown now trails the Cougars by nine points in the West Division standings with a dozen games remaining for each club. Captain Scott Wilson had the other goal for the Raiders, who were outshot 36-35 in front of 135 spectators. "It was two of the best teams in the league going at it and by far that's as close as you're going to get to a playoff game in the regular season," said the 19-year-old Chiarantano, a Bolton resident acquired from the Aurora Tigers in October. "We were shooting ourselves in the foot in the first period with some undisciplined penalties, Nathan Domagala (left) of the Georgetown Raiders tries to dispossess Burlington Cougar Jeremy DeFazio of the puck during their Ontario Jr. Hockey League contest Sunday. The Raiders won 3-2 in overtime. Photo by Eamonn Maher but we stuck together and it was a team effort. We can use all the points we can get right now and to win like this is a big positive. We're starting off fresh and the break was good for us." The Raiders faced another tough road game Monday in Hamilton and will have another date on Saturday with thirdplace Oakville, winners of eight straight contests and only four points back of Georgetown with two games in hand. Game time at the Alcott Arena is 7:30 p.m. Catching Burlington for top spot in the OJHL's West Division might be a stretch for the Raiders, although Chiarantano feels his team has yet to play its best hockey. "We get too complacent sometimes because with the talent we have, we think it's just going to automatically happen game in, game out. You have to constantly work hard at it every day. You need five guys on the same page and when they aren't it shows. We're going to have slumps; it's how we work to get out of it." Gym Centre to flip over trampoline program The Halton Hills Gymnastics Centre is flying high following the establishment of its new competitive trampoline program. Beginning this month, this program will offer specialized trampoline training coached by champion trampolinist Greg Roe. It is open to boys and girls interested in trampoline as a sport on its own or as a cross-training tool for a wide variety of other sports. No trampoline experience is necessary, and if the competitive program is not for you, HHGC has advanced recreational trampoline classes as well. Coach Roe is a member of Canada's 2010 National Senior Men's Trampoline Team and was 2008 Canadian Open Champion in the men's individual category, having coached both trampoline and men's artistic gymnastics. The HHGC has three trampolines (one in-ground), a 40-foot Tumbl Trak, and three foam pits for landing and perfecting skills. Anyone interested can attend an information and evaluation session at the gym, located at 36 Armstrong Ave. in Georgetown, tomorrow (Wednesday) at 6:30 p.m. This is a chance to check out the gym, talk to the coach, ask questions, try out the trampoline and find out if the program is a good fit for you or your child. For more info contact 905-877-4330, email hhgc@haltonhillsgymnastics.com. Halton Hills Gymnastics Centre is a nonprofit organization led by parent volunteers. HHGC senior coach Florin Chivu (left) and new instructor Greg Roe look forward to overseeing the newly introduced competitive trampoline program. Submitted photo OFFERS END JANUARY 4TH! Cash rebates available only to cash purchasers on select new in-stock 2010 Honda models. Up to $2,750.00 available on select new 2010 Civic models; up to $4,000.00 available on select new 2010 Accord models; up to $2,500.00 available on other select new2010 Fit models. ¥0.9% purchase financing available for up to 60 months on other select new in-stock 2010 Honda models. No payments for 90 days offer applies to purchase finance offers on all new 2010 and 2011 models purchased and delivered by November 30th, 2010. Offer available only through Honda Financial Services onapproved credit. Monthly payments are deferred for 90 days. Contracts will be extended accordingly. Interest charge (if any) will not accrue during the first 60 days of the contract. 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