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14 Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, July 18, 2007 SPORTS & LEISURE Slow start proves costly as Mimico routs 'Dogs Halton Hills wins opener 7-4 but Mimico evens semifinal EAMONN MAHER Staff Writer Any thoughts of a second consecutive series sweep for the Halton Hills Bulldogs in the 2007 Ontario Lacrosse Association Jr. B playoffs were erased quickly by the visiting Mimico Mountaineers on Sunday evening. A nightmarish first period in which the South East Divisionchampion Mounties built a 7-0 lead dealt a humbling blow to the Bulldogs, who hadn't lost in four playoff starts this summer, including a resounding 7-4 victory in Mimico Friday night to begin the best-of-5 East Conference semifinal matchup The Mounties extended their advantage on Sunday to 10-0 by the contest's mid-point, with thirdperiod goals by Reed Board and Greg Henry the only shots the hosts could get past goaltender Stephen Fryer in an 11-2 defeat. To make matters worse for Halton Hills, leading scorer Nic Grasby had to be helped off the floor during Sunday's second period with an apparent concussion and shoulder injury that will likely keep him out of Friday's game three in Mimico, joining fellow Bulldog snipers Braden Artem and Pat Saunders on the sidelines. "We don't make excuses about injuries, refereeing, goaltending, offence, defence or anything else. We just got beat tonight," said Bulldogs' coach Blaine McCauley, whose club swept the Oakville Buzz 3-0 in the opening round. "Mimico didn't win this division for nothing. They're a good team, just as we are. We weren't expecting to sweep every series and (Mimico) showed up to battle, just like we did over there on Friday night. We'll get our focus back in practice this week and be ready to steal another game in their barn on Friday." The Mountaineers finished second in the OLA's East Conference standings, just two points ahead of the Bulldogs, who took three of four meetings in the regular season from Mimico. But with a boisterous busload of fans backing them Sunday at the Mold-Masters SportsPlex, the Mounties quickly took control of the game, netting four power-play goals and four shorthanded markers before the 'Dogs could answer back. A seasonhigh of about 500 spectators witnessed the often-chippy affair. "They caught us a little flat-footed at the start and we took a few things for granted, but it doesn't mean we're down and out," McCauley added. "We got away from our gameplan and it's a wakeup call for our guys that if you deviate from the way that we've been playing, then we can be beaten...You can't replace a guy like (Grasby) but we'll just throw someone in who will work hard and compete and bring us a different dimension." Game four of the series will be played Sunday at the Mold-Masters SportsPlex starting at 7 p.m. If a game five is required, it will be played Monday night at the Mimico Arena. Scoring for the Bulldogs in the opener were Mike Brown (2), Evan Whillans, Grasby, Tim Laidlaw, Reed and Board. NOTES: Longtime Bulldog executive member and fund-raiser Ruth Craig was remembered with a moment of silence before Sunday's game. Craig succumbed to cancer Saturday after a long battle....The Bulldogs were shut out of the OLA East Conference awards, which were announced last week. Travis Hallyburton of Huntsville was named MVP and Green Gaels' Mark Matthews was judged the top rookie in the conference. (Eamonn Maher can be reached at emaher@independentfreepress.com) Mimico's Ryan Bernardi complains to the official about being clobbered from behind during Sunday's OLA Jr. B playoff game at the Mold-Masters SportsPlex while Halton Hills Bulldogs' Matt Velten (11) and Mike Brown (44) ignore Bernardi. The visiting Mountaineers were in an otherwise good mood after pounding the Bulldogs 11-2 to even their best-of-5 second-round Photo by Eamonn Maher series 1-1. Lacrosse tourney set for this weekend Sixty-five teams from around south-central Ontario, including the host Bulldogs, will participate in the Halton Hills Minor Lacrosse Association Bulldog Classic Tournament this weekend at five arenas in North Halton. There are 10 divisions in total ranging from the paperweight to bantam age groups with teams playing at A, B or C levels. Games will be played at Georgetown's Mold-Masters SportsPlex's B pad and Memorial Arena, the Acton Arena, the Milton Memorial Arena and the Milton Sports Centre. Action begins at 1 p.m. Friday and will continue through until the finals early Sunday afternoon. For detailed schedules, visit the website www.hhmla.ca. Jr. A Raiders seek help for equipment staff The Georgetown Jr. A Raiders' hockey club is looking to add a member to its equipment staff for the upcoming season. It's a non-paid position "with perks," said Raiders' head athletic therapist Andrew Groombridge. The job description includes dressing room management and cleanup, team laundry, assistant trainer duties for home and away games, along with assistance in player equipment needs. Attendance at the twice-weekly practices is also mandatory. For more information contact agroombridge@swdsl.com or mail a resume to the Georgetown Jr. A Raiders' Hockey Club, 221 Guelph Street, Georgetown, ON L7G 4A8. APPLE 905-873-1655 ·Truck Accessories ·Upholstery ·Heavy Equipment Glass Auto Glass 354 Guelph Street, Georgetown ® NOW FEATURING WINDSHIELD REPAIR SYSTEM novus ® MORE THAN JUST AUTO GLASS