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Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2008 33 Blades' West title anticipated, but still appreciated By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR Having a ball The Oakville Blades have bigger goals in mind these playoffs than just a West Conference championship. But that doesn't mean members of the local Provincial Junior A Hockey League club, which clinched the division title -- its third in the past five years -- Friday with a 2-1 win over the Georgetown Raiders at Joshua's Creek Arenas, don't hold an appreciation for winning the West crown. That's what painful memories of past near-misses will do for you. A few members of this year's squad were on last year's Blades team that was upset by the Hamilton Red Wings in last year's West semifinal, losing the deciding game on a goal with one second left in regulation. Another, captain Chris Corbeil, was part of a talent-laden Oakville Buzz junior B lacrosse team that had its national title dreams dashed in the provincial semifinals by the upstart Elora Mountaineers three years ago. "This almost, in a way, makes up for that," Corbeil said after Friday's game. "I came so close (with the Buzz). Just to get a championship under our belt, for so many guys who have been in situations like that... it is special. "We're having our little celebration, but obviously we have bigger aspirations," he continued. "We still have a way to go before we get to our final destination. For us, the West is just a stepping stone." Blades defenceman Chris Haltigin added, "Last year, when we lost to Hamilton, was one of the worst feelings ever. The way we went out sucked. We're happy with the West championship, but we want to keep going to bigger and better things." Aurora Tigers next challenge The next challenge is the North Conference champion Aurora Tigers, in a league semifinal series that begins Saturday in Oakville. Like the Blades, Aurora dispatched its conference final opponent in five games, eliminating the Stouffville Spirit with a 3-2 overtime victory Friday. Having finished first in its conference during regular-season play (Aurora was third in the North), Oakville will have home ice in the series and would appear to be the favourite. Not so fast, cautions Blades head coach Carlo Coccimiglio, who was hesitant to consider his team a favourite against Georgetown despite finishing 17 points ahead of the Raiders in the standings. "It doesn't matter where you finish. The playoffs are different," he said. "Aurora is very well-coached, they play a physical game and they press all the time. We will have to adapt to their style." Considering the Blades' regular-season dominance (the club went on a 20-game winning streak midway through the season), they were considered the heavy favourite to win the West as well. But that wasn't the case at the beginning of the year. Returning only six players from the previous season, the Blades conceded they weren't the most talented club in the league and that hard work would be crucial to any success they might enjoy. Coccimiglio added a few pieces to the puzzle throughout the year, and it didn't hurt that the players got along pretty well as well. "Talent can only take you so far, and work ethic as well," said Corbeil. "What really made the difference for this club is the team chemistry we have. Guys love coming to the rink and being with each other. There's no bickering, and if there is, it's resolved immediately." -- See Friday's edition of the Beaver for a schedule of the upcoming series against Aurora. MICHAEL IVANIN / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER FOR A GOOD CAUSE: Kellie Allen (left) and Charles Warburton battle for control of the ball during Saturday's 3-on-3 road hockey tournament in Kerr Village. The Bogdanovskis (adult division), the Flutie Flakes (teen division) and The Hardy Heroes (child divisions) were the tournament champions, but the big winner was Kerr Street Ministries. The inaugural tournament, which attracted approximately 300 participants and will be held on an annual basis, raised more than $4,000 for the local charity. Minor atoms win OMHA final opener, 10-0 After cruising through the first few rounds of the OMHA playdowns, five of Oakville's seven finalists have found things much tougher in the championship series. Not so for the minor atom AA Rangers, however. The minor atoms opened their OMHA final with a 10-0 pasting of Peterborough in Peterborough. The Rangers looked to grab a stranglehold on the first-to-sixpoints series last night (Tuesday) with a game at Glen Abbey Recreation Centre, and could clinch the title as early as Saturday in Peterborough. Also starting their series on the right foot were the novice A Rangers, who posted a 3-1 win in Orillia Saturday and then earned a 1-1 tie Sunday in Oakville. That series will resume Saturday in Orillia. After dropping a pair of 1-0 decisions to Aurora, the peewee AA Rangers staved off elimination with a 2-1 win in Aurora Monday. They look to even up the series today at Glen Abbey (a 7 p.m. start). The atom AA Rangers evened up their series with Aurora Monday, earning a 2-1 overtime victory in Aurora. Oakville is home to the Tigers today for Game 3 (Maplegrove Arena, 7 p.m.). The atom A, atom AE (additional entry) and bantam AE Rangers all opened their final series with losses. The atom A squad fell 5-4 in Port Perry and will play Game 2 tomorrow (7:20 p.m. start at Glen Abbey). The atom AE team was blanked 5-0 in Caledon and was scheduled to be in action again last night at Oakville Arena. The bantam AE team was downed 5-1 in Whitby Monday, and is at home to the Wildcats today (8:30 p.m. at Glen Abbey).