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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday March 21, 2007 - 31 Novices on verge of title Atom AA Rangers trail final series vs. Whitby The Oakville novice A Rangers have three chances to win one more game and capture an Ontario Minor Hockey Association Central championship. The first opportunity for Oakville to clinch will be Friday at Maplegrove Arena, when the Rangers host the Orillia Terriers (7:40 p.m. start). Oakville owns a 4-0 lead in the first-tosix-points series after posting a pair of 2-1 wins in the first two games. Chris Howarth and Bryant McKeon scored for the Rangers in the series opener, Saturday at Oakville Arena. The following day in Orillia, Jake Tomkowiak and McKeon notched the Oakville goals. Despite the low scoring thus far, Oakville coach Rob Stanbury said the series has been fast-paced and entertaining. "There have been opportunities at both ends. The goaltending for both teams has been very good," said Stanbury. "Orillia throws the puck around very well. Our guys are having to react and play very disciplined hockey." Oakville players will have no shortage of inspiration when they take the ice Friday, having already seen a glimpse of what it's like to win an OMHA title. Chris Howarth's mother, Zuzka, recently showed the team the OMHA champion hat and gold medal that her son, Andrew, won last year with the minor atom A Rangers. "By the size of their eyes and the oohs and ahhs, it worked," said Stanbury, who hangs a sign that reads `play hard... be proud' in the Rangers' dressing room before the games. If Oakville isn't able to wrap up the series Friday, Game 4 will be played Saturday in Orillia. Game 5, if necessary, would be played at 4 p.m. Sunday at Glen Abbey Recreation Centre. Atom Rangers down 3-1 The other local team currently in an OMHA championship series, the atom AA Rangers, find themselves in a 3-1 hole after two games of their first-tosix-points series with the Whitby Wildcats. Oakville and Whitby played to a 1-1 draw in the opener Saturday at Glen Abbey. Monday, the Wildcats jumped to an early 3-0 lead and held off the Rangers' comeback efforts for a 3-2 victory. "I think we can compete with these guys, it's just a matter of convincing the kids they can compete," said Oakville coach Dave Crozier. Jake Smyth had the Rangers goal in Game 1, while Alex Cox and Tanner Fabiano scored in a losing cause Monday. The series continues today at Maplegrove, a 7:30 p.m. start. Game 4 will be played Friday in Whitby, with Game 5 -- if necessary -- set for 6 p.m. Saturday at Glen Abbey. -- Jon Kuiperij LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER CENTER OF ATTENTION: Oakville minor peewee AAA Rangers player Kamil Tkaczuk (in blue) is surrounded by Welland Tigers opponents as he attempts to score during last weekend's South Central AAA qualifying tournament in Burlington.The Rangers tied Welland in this contest, the lone game they didn't win en route to qualifying for this weekend's OMHA championship tournament in Aurora. Minor peewees unbeaten in 25 Continued from page 30 (OMHA) first." Oakville opened the tournament with a 7-3 win over the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs Friday morning and then tied Burlington that evening. Saturday, the Rangers routed the Brampton Battalion 8-2 and completed the round robin with a 6-0 shutout of the Niagara Falls Thunder. "Definitely our speed is a strength," Browne said. "We've got a good forecheck and our goaltending really came through for us this week. We've told them if they play strong in the defensive zone, the offence will take care of itself." Three shutouts for minor peewees The Oakville minor peewee AAA Rangers entered the SCTA qualifying tournament on a 20game unbeaten streak, but John Guzzo was still a little uneasy. "I was a little stressed," said the Rangers coach. "We've done so well this year but then you get into a tournament and it's a one-game elimination. The kids pulled through, though." The Rangers earned a return trip to the OMHA championship tournament by defeating the Hamilton Jr. Bullodgs 4-0 in Burlington Sunday. In the process, the Rangers ran their unbeaten streak to 25 games. The Rangers finished first in the SCTA with a record of 32-2-2. They proved to be just as dominant in the qualifying tournament, which determined the league's two representatives for the OMHA championships. Oakville went 4-0-1, outscoring its opponents 28-4. The Rangers posted three shutouts, including the decisive win over Hamilton, the team that beat Oakville in the bronze medal game of last year's OMHAs. Guzzo had good reason to be nervous in the final. After averaging six goals through the first four games of the tournament, the Rangers went into the third period clinging to a 1-0 lead. However, the Rangers scored three times in the final period to put the game away. Shutting down the Bulldogs didn't come as much of a surprise to Guzzo. "That's been our track record all year. We only gave up 43 goals in 36 games this year," he said. The Rangers opened the tournament with a 70 victory over the Brampton Battalion and then tied the Welland Tigers 3-3 in Friday's second game. Saturday, the Rangers topped the Grey-Bruce Highlanders 6-1 and then posted their second shutout of the tournament in an 8-0 victory over the Guelph Jr. Storm to clinch first place in their pool. The Halton Hurricanes doubled Welland 6-3 to earn the other SCTA berth in the OMHA tournament. Guzzo said the Rangers' strengths are a teamfirst mentality and depth. "They say you're only as good as your sixth (defenceman) and ninth forward and all of our guys are pretty good. They can all play on the power play, penalty kill and play at key times. Everyone is contributing. The chemistry is really good, too. They all really like each other and want to win for each other." Though last year's team came within a couple of victories of an OMHA title last season, Guzzo said the team's success has "raised the bar a little this year." As for this weekend's OMHA tournament in Aurora, Guzzo said the team will continue to do what it has all season. "We don't want to be changing too much," the Rangers coach said. "The competition will be tough so we just have to stick to our game plan." Tavares breaks Gretzky's mark Oakville's John Tavares scored three times in OHL action last weekend to give him 72 goals on the season, breaking Wayne Gretzky's OHL record for goals by a 16-year-old. Gretzky scored 70 goals as a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds back in 1977-78, finishing the year with 182 points in 64 games. Tavares, a member of the Oshawa Generals, concluded his sophomore OHL campaign with 134 points in 67 games. John Tavares SAVE $$$$$$$ OAKVILLE KIA SUPERSTORE or up to $5000 Cash Back All Stock Windshield Priced and Ready to Go. Once a Year Saving $$$$$$ $3700 gets you in a new or pre-owned vehicle. 1-866-369-8109 Players needed for u14 field hockey The Halton Field Hockey Club is looking for players for its under-14 recreational league. The registration fee is $75 and includes a shirt and socks. The 10-week program is Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon at fields in Burlington and Oakville with experienced coaches. There are also opportunities for competitive teams. Registration forms can be found at www.haltonfieldhockey.com. For more information, contact Sara Kozak at 905-334-9352 or e-mail hfhc_youthprogram@hotmail.com. OAKVILLE KIA 1450 Speers Rd. Oakville Also open Sundays 11am - 4pm