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NOR ww SALES SERVICE LEASING HWY. #25 & 404 878-4137 MILTON D Sports Halton Hills This Week, Saturday; February 6; 1993 — Page-17 Georgetown, Royal York meet tonight Raiders heading to showdown What a difference 10 days make. Back on Jan. 27, the Georgetown Chrysler Raiders were languishing in a winless streak that dated back to October. Now, thanks to wins over the Royal York Rangers and the Burlington Cougars, Georgetewn is only two points out of a playoff spot in the Central Ontario Junior Hockey League East Division. Georgetown was in Burlington Thursday night (results of that encounter weren’t available), and tonight the Raiders meet Royal York with a chance to move into a seventh-place tie with the Rangers. The Raiders got the ball rollin; Jan. 27 with a 7-2 win over the Rangers, then split a weekend set with the Cougars, claiming a win at home after losing 9-3 in Burlington. Raiders’ general manager Finn Poulstrup said he can’t exactly put his finger on a reason for the tum- around, but the finality of the game with the Rangers on Jan. 27 proba- bly played a role he added. “We have been playing all of the top teams to a goal over the prior four weeks and I think the point was finally brought home that we needed to beat Royal York or else we could say good-bye to the play- offs,”’ Poulstrup said. The Wm. McNally Construction minor novice Raiders enjoyed first-round success last week, defeating Flamborough in their Ontario Minor Hockey Association set. Team members include from left front row: Donnie Lane, Vince Burke, Brent Beaumont. Thomas Stokes, Andy Burns and Al Humberstone. Middle row: Jason Forbes, Brett Velten, Adam Kemp, Billy McDonald and Graham Ovenden. Third row: Ed Pearce, Scott Rostrup, Brendon Pearce, Andrew McGourty, Rusty Parsons, Byron Jacome and Jeff Sargent. Absent is Robbie Ogle. (Photo submitted) Raiders win opening-round playoff set On Jan 29 the minor novice Raider squad travelled to Flamboro to take the series lead two games to one. The victory was well earned with again, strong defense and offense. Great goaltending earned Donnie Lane the shutout with his partner, Al Humberstone cheering him on. With consistent playing, the Jr. Raiders kept the score 0-0. + Monday Night Men’s League Team Standings LIB Contractors 62 Countrywide Real Estate 59 Acid Rainbow 55 Sam’s Service Centre 48 Custom Car & Sound 48 Los Amigos 45, Arnies Auto body 43 Top Averages Bryan Crease: 226 Gord Lane 224 ‘Paul Chaplin 220 Brinley Hole 219 Bruce Clarke 215 Top Scores Brinley Hole 759 (268) Tom Goss 736 (279) Wayne Norton 682 (243) Gord Lane 674 (240) Andre Boisvenue 654 (254) The entire minor novice squad kept their fans on the edge of their seats until the end of the third peri- od. Still no score, the game goes into an extra 10 minute overtime riod. The minor novice squad went into the fourth period determined to win. Just 16 seconds into the peri- od, Rusty Parsons nets the winner for the Jr. Raiders, unassisted. The excitement continued throughout the period with Flamboro pulling their netminder for the extra man, but the raider squad played strong and hard to claim the victory. The minor novice. Raiders claimed the first series round of the playoffs against Flamboro on home ice January 31. All pumped up and ready to take the series, the Jr. Raiders came out with excellent defense and their offense playing strong. Donnie Lane kept the score low allowing only one goal and making some fantastic saves. The Jr. Raiders opened the scor- ing with Rusty Parsons scoring from centre ice at 7:23, unassisted. Flamboro came right back with a goal to tie the game. In the first period, the score was kept at 1-1 until 7:25 into the third period with Billy McDonald claiming the win- ner on a pass from Andy Burns. ce again, Flamboro pulls their goaltender for the extra man. The fast paced game ended with a score of 3-1 with Adam Kemp dumping it into the empty Flamboro net on a pass from Andrew McGourty. Great teamwork and passing nets the Minor Novice Raiders their vic- tory in the first series. Congratulations and good luck to the Jr. Raiders in your next series against Dundas. “Funny thing was, I remember telling the guys that there was no way Royal York should be able to skate with us and that we should be able to beat them by five goals. Then they go out and beat them by five goals.” After such a big win, turning around and losing two nights later in Burlington could’ ve been a turn- ing point as well had the Raiders not come back with a strong perfor- mance at home the following night. “With such a young team you know there is going to be some inconsistency,’” Poulstrup said. “Playing them Saturday night, it was important that we stayed with- in a goal of them, but the guys went out and got the win.”’ So now, instead of merely play- ing out the string on the regular season, coach Gary Ford and the Raiders are close to a post-season berth. That makes tonight’s game with the Rangers a huge one. In order to advance to the play- offs, the Raiders will have to finish ahead of Royal York in the regular- season standings. A tie does noth- ing because the Rangers have a bet- ter head-to-head record in games .played with Georgetown, meaning the Raiders would still need help to reach the playoffs. However, a.win would at least with Georgetown only having six regular-season games left to play. “This game (Saturday’s contest with Royal York) is very impor- tant,’’ Poulstrup said. “If we don’t win it probably means we’re fin- Is “But we all know now that it’s all personal character right now. What stands between the winning and not is personal character. “And to be honest with you, I’m betting on the players. I believe they’ll come through.’ However, win or lose, Poulstrup has nothing but praise for the final Continued on page 19 [] ADEPENDENT D.D.H. DISTRIBUTION SERVICES LIMITED @ GEORGETOWN CHRYSLER HOCKEY HERITAGE DINNER AT HOLY CROSS AUDITORIUM GEORGETOWN MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1993 Reception 6:00 p.m. Dinner 7:00 p.m. MASTER OF CEREMONIES RON MACLEAN GUESTS: GERRY DOBSON, TODD GILL, MARK HEBSCHER, PAT BURNS TICKETS $35.00 ERswer Join us in Honouring © "JIM FORD" For tickets 873-3963 FooD MARKET KNECHTEL