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40 Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2007 Looking up BRONZE DEBUT: Oakville Venom player Elijah Lostracco (in white) realizes he has a daunting task ahead of him as he attempts a shot during last weekend's novice boys' basketball tournament at Oakville Trafalgar High School. The competition was the first annual novice AA tournament to be held by the Oakville Basketball Club, and the local squad held its own by earning bronze. For more on the tournament, see page 42. DEREK WOOLLAM / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Blades win 12th straight As their 24-4-3 overall record would attest, the Oakville Blades have been dominant so far this Provincial Junior A Hockey League season. That isn't to say, however, that the Blades have routed all their opponents. In fact, during its current 12-game winning streak, Oakville has posted six onegoal victories (three via the shootout) and triumphed by two goals on two other occasions. The Blades won two more close games last weekend, edging the Buffalo Jr. Sabres 1-0 Friday at Joshua's Creek Arenas and then earning a 5-2 road win Sunday against the Streetsville Derbys. Though the Blades defeated the Derbys by three, it took a goal by Nick McParland with 1:48 to go in regulation to give Oakville a 3-2 lead. Jeremy Welsh and Chris Corbeil added empty-netters. Luke Moodie and Blake Barbieri tallied earlier in the contest for the Blades. Oliver Wren stopped 17 of 19 shots for the win. Friday, Steven Guzzo scored the lone goal of the contest, tallying early in the second period. Scott Greenham made the lead stand up, stopping all 27 Buffalo shots to pick up the shutout. Earning assists for Oakville in the two games were Chris Haltigin (two), Welsh (two), Julian Cimadamore, Connor McMonagle, Chris Corbeil, Trevor Eckenswiller and Guzzo. The Blades' lengthy winning streak has enabled them to open up a 10-point lead on the Brampton Capitals for top spot in the West Conference standings. Oakville is scheduled to play only three more games before the end of the year. The Blades will be home to Streetsville Friday (a 7:30 p.m. start at Joshua's Creek Arenas), will host Georgetown Dec. 21 and will visit Georgetown Dec. 22. Van Koeverden a Lou Marsh finalist Local kayaker Adam van Koeverden was denied his second Lou Marsh Award, a trophy annually presented to Canada's outstanding athlete by the Toronto Star, when the voting was announced yesterday. Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby edged out Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash to take the honour, becoming the first hockey player to accomplish the feat since 1993. Van Koeverden won the award in 2004, the year he won gold and bronze medals at the Olympic Summer Games in Athens. This past year, he captured his first world championship gold medal, winning the 500-metre event. Alpine skier Erik Guay and boxer Steve Molitor were this year's other finalists. The panel of voters was comprised of various journalists and broadcasters from across the country. Holiday Gift Suggestions! 4th ANNUAL HOLIDAY TOY & FOOD DRIVE FROM NOVEMBER 26TH TO DECEMBER 17TH WE INVITE YOU TO DROP OFF NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS AND/OR NEW TOYS AT THE CLUBHOUSE. THE CLUB IS OPEN MONDAY TO FRIDAY 10:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M., CLOSED SATURDAY/SUNDAY FOOD WILL BE DONATED TO THE FARE SHARE FOOD BANK, LOCATED ON KERR STREET, AND TOYS WILL BE DONATED TO THE OAKVILLE FIREFIGHTERS TO BE DISTRIBUTED AS PART OF THEIR TOYS FOR KIDS DRIVE. ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE FOR RETURNING PLAYERS ONLY! RETURNING PLAYER: Participant in: 2006/07 Indoor Session 2 Outdoor 2007 2007/08 Indoor Session 1 2007/08 Indoor Session 2 RUNNING OUT!! 2008 OUTDOOR SPONSORSHIP INCENTIVE OFFER!! EXPIRES DECEMBER 31, 2007!! REGISTER BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH & RECEIVE FULL COMPANY LOGO ON JERSEY & COMPANY RECOGNITION LINK ON OSC WEBSITE AS PART OF YOUR SPONSORSHIP REGISTRATION Visit www.oakville-soccer.on.ca (SPONSORS) link for complete details or contact Joy @jneefs@oakville-soccer.on.ca TIME IS OAKVILLE TEAM SCARF & OSC 2008 CALENDARS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT OSC FRONT RECEPTION VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS PLEASE SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE AND GIVE GENEROUSLY. TEAM DONATIONS ARE MOST WELCOME. 504 Iroquois Shore Rd., Unit #11, Oakville, ON L6H 3K4 Tel: 905-849-4436 Fax: 905-849-3677 The Oakville Beaver A Proud Sponsor of Oakville Soccer Club Thanks to our Proud Sponsors: