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34 Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2006 It's playoff time Top seed in Jr. B league, Buzz set to begin quest for lacrosse crown By Herb Garbutt Little doesn't mind a tougher playoff road, though. "You've got to beat the best to s soon as the words `upper-body become the best," he said. "They're our injuries' escape Oakville Buzz archrival. We respect them, they coach Glen Little's mouth, they respect us, but we don't like each tell you more about what time of year other." Little believes last year's long playoff it is than any calendar. run will be a tremendous benefit to the It's playoff time. And the Oakville Buzz hopes to fin- team. "We learned a great deal last year," ish the job it started last year, when it came within two victories of winning he said. "Without that, knowing the roller coaster ride we're the Ontario Lacrosse "We learned a about to go on, I might be Association Jr. B champigreat deal last nervous. But we'll use onship. that knowledge to our In what may well be a year. We'll use that advantage." preview of the East knowledge to our That should benefit Conference final, the advantage." the Buzz, which has Buzz secured home-floor proved it can learn lesadvantage throughout the Oakville Buzz head sons quickly. After its playoffs with a 13-8 victo- coach Glen Little first loss Friday in ry over the Barrie Tornado (17-2) Tuesday night. The Mimico, Oakville came back to win a Buzz bounced back from its first loss of key matchup with Barrie in the final the season to finish with a 19-1 mark, game of the regular season. Little said the best record in the 26-team league. the loss proved to be a benefit, refoThere's little time to celebrate, cusing the team on the task at hand though. The Buzz will open the play- after 18 straight wins. Leading 6-5 offs Monday at 7 p.m. at Maplegrove through two periods, the Buzz pulled Arena against the Halton Hills away in the third, building a 10-6 Bulldogs. The Bulldogs, who finished advantage on its way to a 13-7 victory. "That was the first time in a month the season at 10-10, will provide a much stiffer opening-round test than I looked at the guys after the game and they were exhausted," Little said. "They the Huntsville Hawks did last year. "We got an easy run last year," Little were absolutely spent." Drew Petkoff, known more for his said. "Huntsville was 6-12. Halton, Scarborough and Markham all finished defensive abilities, almost doubled his 10-10. Those are all quality teams and season goal total by netting four and there's going to be upsets. I don't want Brenden Thenhaus had a hat trick to it to be us but someone is going to lose increase his team-leading tally to 53. Game 2 of the best-of-five series is to one of those 10-10 teams." Even though the Buzz swept the tentatively set for Thursday, July 6 at 7 four-game season series, the Bulldogs p.m. at the Mold-Masters SportsPlex in were the only team to hold Oakville to Georgetown. Game 3 will be played less than nine goals this season - and Saturday, July 8 at 7 p.m. they did it three times. The Buzz pulled -- Herb Garbutt can be reached at out 7-6, 8-6 and 8-4 wins in the last sports@oakvillebeaver.com. three meetings. OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF A OAKVILLE BEAVER FILE PHOTO EYES ON THE PRIZE: Brenden Thenhaus and his Oakville Buzz teammates have their sights set on a Founder's Cup Jr. B lacrosse championship this year after finishing the OLA regular season with a 19-1 mark. Going into last night's action, Thenhaus owned a six-point bulge on Owen Sound's Adam Jones for top spot in league scoring; Owen Sound wrapped up its schedule with a game against Orangeville. Blue Devils successful on pitch, but attendance disappointing By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF While the Oakville Blue Devils' fortunes continue to rise on the pitch, they've been in a bit of a slide off of it. The Blue Devils scored two second-half goals to down the St. Catharines Wolves 3-1 Sunday at Bronte Stadium. The victory improved Oakville to 4-2-1 and gives the Devils a three-point lead on Windsor atop the Canadian Soccer League's National Division. After a slow start to the season, the defending champions are now undefeated in four games. However, that hasn't translated into much fan support for the team. After drawing 150 fans for its opening game, attendance has tailed off to as low as 50. "Really the only downfall has been the lack of support," said Blue Devils coach Phil Ionadi. "If we could have 500 (or) 1,000 people there, it would be a lot better atmosphere. Having the fans there, the players bring it to that next level." Ionadi said that's a realistic target, given that there are approximately 20,000 soccer players in Oakville and Burlington. And by ensuring that there is a team in Oakville, it will give younger players something to strive toward. "If we're going to make this a success, (fan support) is a key ingredient to that success," he said. "It's a championship team and it's very good soccer." While Ionadi can't control what happens in the See Garcia page 35 www.hiddenlakegolf.com 36 Championship holes Home of the Canadian Open qualifier Complete premier practice facility Golf clinics, Jr. Golf Camps & private coaching taught by qualified professionals Best Golf Pro Shop in the area! FREE RIDE! Sunday, July 2nd & Monday, July 3rd Buy a regular priced Green Fee between noon & 4 pm and RIDE for FREE with this coupon! (905) 336-3660 (Not valid for Junior and Senior rates or in combination with any other offer.)