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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday January 12, 2008 - 31 DRAMATIC WIN: The Oakville Hornets atom yellow Stingers recently won gold at a girls' hockey tournament in Newmarket, clinching the title with a shootout victory over Sudbury in the final. Shootout win gives Stingers gold Emily Cestra and Emilie Kennedy scored in a shootout, lifting the Oakville Hornets atom yellow Stingers to a 5-4 overtime win over Sudbury in the final of a recent girls' hockey tournament in Newmarket. The Stingers' Nicole Turczyniak had forced overtime by tying the game with 27 seconds remaining in the third period. Kristen Abels, Olivia Degruijter and Kennedy also scored goals during regulation time for Oakville. The victory over Sudbury was the Stingers' fourth win in as many games at the tournament. Turczyniak had six goals and Cestra scored twice to pace Oakville in its three roundrobin victories, while Tristan Vella recorded a shutout. Also contributing to the gold-medal win were Jenna Culumovic, Saskia DeVries, Aisling FlynnPost, Lauren Georgopoulos, Ariana Katsigiannis, Sarah Lepera, Megan McEvoy, Alexandra Schutte, Monika Sitas and Jordan Wales. Cathal Flynn-Post, Jerry Schutte and Mike Turczyniak coach the team, which is sponsored by Mico Systems Inc. Carolyn Turczyniak serves as trainer. Blades add depth on blue line Winners of 17 consecutive games and owning a healthy lead atop the Provincial Junior A Hockey League's West Conference standings, the Oakville Blades made only one roster move at the league's trade deadline. Oakville acquired 6-foot-4 defenceman Braden Birch from the Nanaimo Clippers of the British Columbia Hockey League, sending cash the other way. Since the Hamilton Red Wings held the rights to Birch in the Provincial Junior A loop, the Blades also sent money to the Red Wings to complete the deal. Birch, who has accepted a scholarship from Cornell University for 2009, had not seen game action in nearly a month after suffering a high ankle sprain. He was expected to be in the Blades' lineup last night when they hosted the Streetsville Derbys. "He skates like (Florida Panthers defenceman Jay) Bouwmeester," Oakville head coach Carlo Coccimiglio said of the 18-year-old Birch. "He's a fluid skater with a quick shot, and he is very gifted offensively. Down the stretch, he will get a lot of ice time, on the power play and penalty kill." To make room for Birch on the roster, the Blades released one of their younger players. Coccimiglio declined to reveal which player was released, since he had yet to inform the player. "Down the stretch, he wouldn't have got much playing time. We are hoping he can go back to playing midget hockey where he can develop, and we'd love to have him back next year," Coccimiglio said. "It's a hard thing to do, but it's part of the business." Coccimiglio said the Blades still have a few player cards available, should anyone else become available before the roster freeze in early February. Despite the team's regular-season dominance, Coccimiglio isn't content to rest on the Blades' laurels. "Anything can happen in the playoffs," he said. "Other teams shore up their rosters, and you don't know what will happen for them." -- Jon Kuiperij Peewees raising money for tournament Preparing to compete in next month's Quebec International Peewee Tournament, the Oakville peewee AAA Rangers will hold a fundraising event tonight at Philthy McNasty's. Proceeds from the evening will go towards offsetting costs from the prestigious tournament, which will attract more than 2,300 players from 16 different countries. Tonight's fundraiser, which will begin at 7:30, will feature door prizes, raffles, a silent auction, a live auction and more. Donations will also be accepted. Former Oakville Rangers player Stefan Legein, fresh off helping Canada win gold at the world junior championships, is expected to make an appearance. Philthy McNasty's is located at 1210 North Service Road West.