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Minor midget AARangers fulfil their OMHA destinyBy Herb Garbuttto a 3-2 win in the series opener,OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFscored two and a half minutes laterand the Rangers shut the door forCoach Dean De Fazio called a 2-1 victory that clinched thethem a team of destiny but even he Ontario Minor Hockey Associationdidnt see the end of the season championship. It was the firstunfolding the way it did.OMHA minor midget title forThe Oakville minor midget AA Oakville since 1985.Rangers were trailing the Ajax The Rangers turned over half Knights 1-0 Monday night at the the roster from last season, includ-Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. ing four players De Fazio broughtPAUL BREESON / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVEROakville had a 2-1 up from the AE teamRANGERS RULE:The Oakville minor midget AA Rangers rallied to defeat the Ajax Knights 2-1 Monday to claim theseries We were behindlead but with-he coached to theOMHA championship. Team members are: (back row, from left) manager Jim Goodman, trainer Ryan Ferguson, assistantout some late hero-OMHA title last sea-the eight ball. Thatcoach Tim Stack, Kamil Tkaczuk, Sean Ferguson, Cristian Di Fonzo, Cameron De Fazio, Cole Nagy, Cole Taylor, assistant coachics, were facing a son. But the Rangersreally allowed us to Mark Nagy, head coach Dean De Fazio, (middle row, from left) Joel Furlan, Scott Goodman, Matt Lunder, Brandon Clark,deciding fifth game needed little time todig down and showConnor Stack, Matt Sutherland, John Breeson, (front row, from left) Connor Challis, Jordan Dim and Aidan Pelino.on the road.adjust, showing theyour character.With less than five were serious con-when they beat us, De Fazio said.in five games. The Rangers then around its skating ability and hadminutes to play, tenders from theWe came out and beat them 9-1 inswept Tecumseh to advance to the three lines capable of contributing Coach Dean De Fazio,Connor Stack got the start of the season.the next game.final.offensively. on the minor midget AAgoal the Rangers had They finished first inDe Fazio said the early playoff If you had told me we would Meanwhile, goalies Aidan PelinoRangers rallying afterbeen waiting for.the Tri-Countylosses would prove beneficial in thewin (the OMHA title) at the begin-and Connor Challis combined forlosing their first two I knew once we Hockey League withlong run.ning of the year, I wouldnt have five shutouts and a 1.60 goals-playoff games.got the first one, we a record of 20-1-5.We were behind the eight ball,believed it. But as the team moved against average in the playoffs andwere going to win, But the Rangershe said. That really allowed us toalong, I knew we had a great team, the defence proved capable of shut-De Fazio said. But I did face some adver-dig down and show our character.De Fazio said. Its a great bunch of ting down the opposition when itwas thinking it got us an extra 10 sity to begin the playoffs, losingOakville won the remainder of kids and a lot of them, given the was needed most essential con-minutes (of overtime).their first two games. The secondtheir round-robin games andopportunity to play at a new level, sidering 10 of Oakvilles 18 playoff The Rangers wouldnt need an of those losses lit a fire under theadvanced to the quarter-finalsreally took advantage of that.games were decided by a singleextra period, though. Brandon team, though.where they eliminated BurlingtonDe Fazio said the team was built goal.Clark, whose hat trick led Oakville St. Catharines laughed at usWith 39 Years of Experience, We Offer Summer Soccer at its BestDivisions for youths born from 1993 to 2007 (U4?U18)Adult leagues including co?ed, 35+ and open age (1992+)Register now at the Pine Glen Soccer Centre. Space is limited in all age groups.Registration closes April 15.*Proof of age is required1520 Pine Glen Road (Dundas and Third Line) 9:30 a.m. 10:00 p.m., Monday Sunday.For more information visit www.oakvillesoccer.caProud sponsor of the Oakville Soccer Clubwww.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, March 24, 2011 24