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42 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday December 6, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Surging Blades shuffle roster for postseason push By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR Even if it doesn't seem broke, fix it. That has been the mindset of Don Edwards, at least, as the Oakville Blades general manager and head coach has drastically overhauled the roster of the local Provincial Junior A hockey club in recent weeks. Meanwhile, the Blades continue to hum along in regular-season play, improving to 23-5-1-1 with a weekend sweep of a home-and-home series with the Streetsville Derbys. In fact, Oakville entered last night's game in Milton with a chance to tie the Brampton Capitals atop the West Conference standings. "We're trying to strengthen our club, and the players we picked up have great experience," Edwards said when asked to explain all the tinkering with a club that has enjoyed such early success. "Anytime you have an opportunity to pick up players like that, you have to consider and evaluate how it would impact your team. You keep your ear to the ground and it's just the nature of the business." The Blades' newest acquisitions include Brent Clarke, Tomas Sample and Anthony Pototschnik, all three of whom have played multiple seasons in the Canadian Hockey League. Clarke is a speedy centre with strong play-making abilities, Edwards said, while Pototschnik is a physical, strong-skating winger. Sample, a defenceman, is known for his ability to start breakouts from his own end and will likely quarterback the Blades' power play. Both Bototschnik and Sample were acquired from the Ontario Hockey League's Sarnia Sting after clearing waivers, while Clarke began the season with the St. John's Fog Devils of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In order to clear room for the trio, Edwards dealt defencemen Hunter Syrydiuk and Mike Topic as well as forward Joey Piccone, also releasing winger Chris Corbeil. presents "We wanted to get our roster numbers down," Edwards said, alluding to the January 10 trade deadline. Clarke has been teamed with another recent addition, Fraser Smith, and Trevor Elliott on the Blades' top line for the past four games. Each player recorded seven points during that span. "It might be one of the fastest lines in junior hockey," said Edwards. Friday at Dominion Twin Rinks, the Blades jumped out to a 4-0 lead and held on for a 6-3 victory over the Derbys. Clarke scored twice while Daniel Calitri had a goal and three assists, and Nick McParland, Chase Langeraap and Pototschnik also tallied. Sunday in Streetsville, the Blades won 5-2 as Daniel Borges, Lindsay Sparks, Langeraap, Elliott and Smith all netted markers. Matt Hoyle and Kori Coelho each earned a victory in goal last weekend. The Blades are home Friday to the Burlington Cougars, with game time slated for 7:30 p.m. Oakville will then visit the Georgetown Raiders Saturday and Hamilton Red Wings Monday. -- Jon Kuiperij can be reached at sports@oakvillebeaver.com. OAKVILLE BLADES vs Brittain brings 905-847-5545 `D' to Boston www.oakvilleminorbaseball.com Email: omba@oakvilleminorbaseball.com WEEKEND HOCKEY KEY BURLINGTON COUGARS ADULT & OLDTIMERS HOCKEY TOURNAMENTS MEN'S & WOMEN'S UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS Annual New Year's Tournament @ Glen Abbey Rec. Centre Dec. 29 & 30 Finals Sunday completed by 4pm Ages 19+-50+ Skill Levels A to Low Level E www.weekendhockey.com Celebrating our 40th Anniversary 1.877.702.5701 Much like the Iroquois Ridge basketball team he left behind, former 'Blazer Scott Brittain is playing on a squad building for the future. That's good news for Brittain, who has stepped into a starting role with the Boston University Terriers and is averaging 25.3 minutes a game. Two freshmen and two sophomores have started every game while the fifth spot has been split between a senior and a freshman. The 6-foot-9, 220-pound forward has averaged 4.4 points per game but it is his defensive game that has been his biggest contribution. Brittain leads the Terriers in rebounds (41) and steals (nine). Brittain had a career-best 10 rebounds in BU's most recent game, a 74-46 win over St. Bonaventure that improved the team's record to 3-4. Brittain turned in his best game in a 66-60 loss to Rider University. He hit a pair of three-pointers and finished with nine points, seven rebounds and two steals.