Smith's goal caps dream season for Abbey Park By Ryan Glassman SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Helmer, MAC earn bronze Led by the strong serves of Rochelle Helmer, the MAC Under-16 girls volleyball team finished first in its pool and claimed the bronze medal at the 16U Girls Challenge Cup-Zone A in Burlington. MAC rallied to defeat the Brock Volleyball Club 21-25, 25-21, 15-13 to claim the bronze. MAC was narrowly edged 27-25, 25-27, 15-12 by the Brant Tornadoes in the semifinals. 31 · Friday, March 12, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Abbey Park Eagles forward Andrew Smith always envisioned he would score a game winner. However, even he could not have predicted the finish of Tuesday's Halton Tier 2 boys hockey final. With 8:45 remaining in double overtime, Smith took advantage of a breakdown in coverage by the Burlington Central Blues, deking goaltender Connor Potter to catapult his Eagles to a 4-3 victory over the host squad. "I had the dream last night of the deke I wanted to do," he said. "I always practise that deke, the one where you fake the shot left and (go) right. It usually works and that's the only one I've been practising for the last week and I'm glad I got to use it." After a Blues defenceman missed a check in the Central zone, Smith flipped the puck over Burlington captain Will Davis' stick before firing home the deciding tally. "Our defence went for the hip check," said Davis, who also scored two goals. "I kind of screwed up a bit and (Smith) got around Pots and put it right in." It's the first major hockey championship for the Eagles, and according to Smith, it has been a long time coming. "I've grown up with these guys and we've never, ever done this," he said. "Four years in the making, here it is." Many of the Blues, including coach Bill Strachan, thought they had won in the first overtime when Ian McGregor fired a shot that beat Eagles goaltender Ryan Haick but hit the right post. "From the bench, it looked like to me and the players that it had gone in the top (right corner)," the coach said. "It happened so quickly that that next thing you know, eight of us are on the ice jumping up and celebrating." All three referees said it was no goal and McGregor admitted to Strachan the puck did not go in. Though frustrated, the bench boss kept his sense of humour ERIC RIEHL / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship SOARING EAGLES: Abbey Park players celebrate Nick Powidajko's goal that opened the scoring in the Halton boys hockey tier 2 final. The Eagles would later celebrate the championship after Andrew Smith scored in double overtime for a 4-3 Abbey Park victory over Burlington Central. about the play. "The hockey gods had us cursed," Strachan said, "but it was a hell of a game." With the Blues trailing 2-1 in the third, Davis scored his second goal with 12:54 remaining. Abbey Park's Adrian Parisotto made it 3-2 with nine minutes to play before Jack Fuller beat Haick with 1:29 left to force extra time. www. oakville beaver. com "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" 905.849.0266 "Golf's More Fun When You Play It Right!" We are a unique centre challenging the most serious golfer, but catering to family fun & enjoyment! · Golf for Kids / Summer Golf Camps MARCH BREAK SPECIAL · Golf for Women · 11 Acre Short Game, Practice Putting Green, Sand Bunkers... "Nothing Like it in Ontario" MINI PUTT FOR · Golf for Beginners / Advanced Techniques MARCH 13-MARCH 21 · Buccaneers Landing our Challenging Mini-Putt Course Selected as one of the · Open all year round 2 FOR 1 "Top 100 Ranges in America" Last 12 Years in a row (1997-2008) Lessons Programs Start April 20, Register Now! Selected as one of the top 100 Ranges in America Visit our website for full details at www.FamilyGolfOakville.com 1455 Joshuas Creek Drive Just West of the 403, Oakville 905-842-6120