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485 MORDEN ROAD, OAKVILLE www.arnoldssportsbar.ca YOUR HEADQUARTERS FOR SPORT LEAGUE AND HOLIDAY PARTIES WE HAVE 3 volleyball courts, 9 pool tables, foosball tables, ping pong, air hockey, dart boards, party rooms and dance floors, arcade games ARNOLDS SPORTS BAR IS OAKVILLE BEST HIDDEN TREASURE! 17 Thursday , O ctober 7, 2010 O A KVILLE BEA V ER w w w .o akvillebeaver .co m By Clayton Ward-Theriault GRADE 12, T. A. BLAKELOCK H.S. The time to hesitate is through, no time to wallow in the mire. Im talking about the Leafs, not The Doors. However, this season the doors can either open or close on their playoff hopes. The Leafs havent made the playoffs since 2003-2004, the year before the lockout. They have had a five-year rebuilding process and fans have had five years in the mire. It has been a drought to say the least. Leafs Nation has suffered bitter disappointment. Over the off-season the Leafs have made three key acquisitions in Kris Versteeg, Colby Armstrong and Clarke MacArthur. These new Leafs are in their mid-20s and have a lot of potential. Colby Armstrong played with Sidney Crosby from 2005 to late 2008 and knows what it takes to win. Kris Versteeg was on the Stanley Cup winning Chicago Blackhawks, earning 14 points in 22 games. It would be unfair to burden them with the sole responsibility of achieving the Leafs goal. However, they need to step up. Dion Phaneuf was named captain on June 14 of this year and has guaranteed that his squad will make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. That is a huge commitment and woe betide him if this promise is not met. General Manager Brian Burke has also made the same pledge. Being a diehard Leafs fan who has suffered the slings and arrows of misfortune along with my fel- low Leafs fans, I am hopeful that my team will finally reward our patience with a berth in the play- offs. At the moment, this is a reason- able goal, as I do not wish to bur- den them any further with aspira- tions of lifting Lord Stanleys sil- verware. Personally, I will be ecstatic if the Leafs make it in to eighth posi- tion in the Eastern Conference. To see the Leafs in the playoffs again would be a euphoric occa- sion. The one and only Leafs Nation would once again be a force to be reckoned with. No longer will we suffer from those Habs Fans who constantly rub salt in to the wounds of the true believers. At Blakelock I would no longer have to suffer the comments of Mr. Kana or Madame Dalessandro. I would be able to hold my head high. Although I will not be available to become Brian Burkes assistant Another season of hope with the Maple Leafs this season, I am more than will- ing to provide him with some free advice. First of all, I like what I see with regards to his lines, my favourite being the Tyler Bozak, Phil Kessel and Kris Versteeg line. However, if this line does not produce as promised, perhaps Doug Gilmour, Mats Sundin and Gary Roberts should come out of retirement and start polishing their buckets and skates. As a member of the Lake Raiders of the Toronto Power Wheelchair Hockey League, I will make my efforts parallel those of Phaneufs phenomena. My hope is that both our teams will have successful seasons and that the fans receive the kind of results they surely deserve. OVER 60,000 SATISFIED CUSTOMERS $1,990 INSTALLED INS ONLY * Gas Furnaceas nac 95.5% EFF. DC MOTOR High Effi ciency , DC Motor igh Efficiency DC otor Gas Furnaceas nac * After Government, Manufacturer & Aire One Rebate FREE 10 YR FREE 10 YR MANUFACTURER MANU ACTURER PARTS & LABOURTS & LABOU WARRANTYARRANT VALUE $950**ALUE $950* *Limited Quantities **Limited Time Offer 9 Locations To Serve You Better! 905-849-4998 www.aireone.com 1-888-827-2665*Call Dealer for Details A+ Rating AIRE ONE AIRE ONE MADNESS SALEMADNESS SAL