24 Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2010 Playing in Moncton providing Memorial experience for Metcalfe By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR MARC GRANDMAISON / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Having played for four different Canadian Hockey League squads over the past two seasons, Spencer Metcalfe believes he knows a special team when he sees one. And he sees one in his current club, the Moncton Wildcats. Moncton is off to the Memorial Cup after winning the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Monday with a 7-4 victory over the Saint John Sea Dogs, claiming the championship series in six games. The Wildcats went 16-5 in the QMJHL playoffs, defeating the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and Drummondville Voltigeurs before their all-New Brunswick showdown with Saint John. Metcalfe, one of several players Moncton picked up at the trade deadline in January, says it's been an unforgettable experience suiting up for the Tigers. "I've been on a bunch of teams, and the chemistry in here is unbelievable," said the 19-year-old defenceman. "A lot of the guys traded at the deadline to our team have been captains, so they bring leadership and experience. And being through tough series and tough battles like we have been really builds chemistry. Everyone cares for each other and will put the puck in front of their face just to block a shot or do something for their teammates." Metcalfe is used to doing things for his teammates, just in a different way. He picked up 18 fighting majors during the regular season with the Halifax Mooseheads and Moncton. But he's kept his gloves on during the Wildcats' entire playoff run, making his presence felt with strong defensive play and throwing the occasional big hit. "I just want to play. I'm not going to go out there just looking for something," said Metcalfe. "Coach (wants) me just to play my position and do the right things out there... stick up for the guys if it's needed, but not to go out there and look for anything." Metcalfe said the Wildcats aren't quite sure what to expect at the Memorial Cup, which will also feature the Western Hockey League champion Calgary Hitmen, the Ontario Hockey League champion Windsor Spitfires and the host Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. Moncton's first game of the tournament will come Saturday night against the Hitmen. "The Western league and the OHL are all different styles of hockey," said Metcalfe, who had a stint in the OHL last season with the Owen Sound Attack. "We're just going to go there and do what we can do and hopefully we can adjust and just play our best. When we play our game, we're a real competitive team to play against." STA soccer team depleted but undefeated By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders are ready for a run at reclaiming their Halton title. Now all they have to do is survive long enough to make it back to the senior girls' soccer AA championship game. The Raiders already had several call-ups in the lineup just to give them a few subs for Monday's game against the Pearson Patriots, the team that dethroned Aquinas last season. By the end of the game -- a 0-0 draw -- Aquinas was once again reduced to its 11 players on the field. "We started the season with a number of injuries and then this week we've had some girls with the flu," said Raiders coach Justin Yantho. "Fortunately, the injuries are nothing too serious. But when you only play seven games, you miss two weeks and you miss half the schedule." Among the walking wounded are starters Amanda Morin and Alexa Howard, who are both expected back before the playoffs begin in two weeks. Also missing from the lineup is Christina Bilczuk. Though her injury is not serious, Yantho said she may be finished for the season as a precautionary measure since Bilczuk is headed to Nicholls State University on a scholarship next year. In their absence, players such as Celina Clark, Robin Matos, Lauren Kadet and Jess Reynolds have elevated their games to keep the 3-0-2 Raiders in contention. Clark, Reynolds and Bilczuk were part of Aquinas' provincial silver medalist team in 2007. Kadet was actually back on familiar ground against Pearson. A goalkeeper who earned a scholarship to the University of Maryland Baltimore County for next year, she has played midfield for the Raiders this year See Raiders page 26 St. Thomas Aquinas player Megan O'Donnell (left) blocks the path of Lester B. Pearson's Sonia Donohoe during Monday's Halton senior girls' soccer contest in Burlington. The two teams played to a scoreless draw as Aquinas remained undefeated this season. HERB GARBUTT / OAKVILLE BEAVER