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Bantam AE Rangers rebound for OMHA titleOakville bounces back from lopsided loss in opener to take next three gamesBy Herb Garbuttthree times before their next game,games first goal. Though Stoney CreekOAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFBessant focused on something he andwould cut the lead to one, Oakvillehis coaching staff had noticed. Theywould score goals a minute apartAll season, the Oakville bantam AE went to work breaking down thebefore the end of the second periodRangers had found a way to rise to the Sabres breakouts and in Game 2, theand then added two more for goodoccasion and deliver in the big game.players used their speed to their advan-measure in the third to win the OMHA So the opener of their Ontario tage as they perfectly executed whattitle for the second year in a row.Minor Hockey Association final was they learned, winning 4-1.To lose that first game and comethe perfect stage. The Rangers were (Stoney Creek) had a tough timeback and win the next three was prettyplaying the Stoney Creek Sabres, a getting the puck out of their end andincredible, Bessant said.team they had not beaten all season our counter-attack gave us more scor-After losing seven players from lastand just add a little bit more to the ing chances, Bessant said.year, Bessant knew the team could notoccasion, they were invited to play the After taking the series lead with aplay the same style that led the team togame as part of the Minor Oaks Hockey 3-2 overtime victory, the Rangersthe championship a year ago.Associations 50th anniversary celebra-coach saw all he needed to beforeLast years team was more potenttion.Tuesdays game even started.offensively, he said. I knew the teamSo when Stoney Creek skated to a The warm up was completely dif-wasnt going to have the goals it did5-1 victory, the Rangers had to be a ferent, Bessant said. Our guys werelast year so we were going to have tolittle nervous.louder and their confidence level wasbe more sound defensively.We had a difficult time with Stoney going through the ceiling. StoneyAnd the team responded, allowingCreek all season so when it came down Creek, you could see, was just trying tojust 101 goals in 72 games, for a goals-MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVERto losing 5-1, said Rangers coach figure out what was happening.against average of 1.40 this season.Dave Bessant, yeah, there was a bit of The Rangers jumped out to a 2-0That strong defensive play allowedGET YOUR OWN BALL:Daniel Mante protects the ballconcern.first period lead the first time in thethe team to bounce back when its play-from Mazin Abdo during the three-on-three basketball tourna-See Bantam, page 36With the opportunity to practice final that Oakville had scored thement at the Oakville Basketball Club last Saturday.Fanelli training for triathlon to raise fundsContinued from page 34He will do a 750-metre swim, 30-kilome-tre bike ride and 7.5-kilometre run. Thats his help out. They were on the ice with him when agenda in Milton on June 5. There will be no his helmet flew off and the Aud fell silent on skates involved.Oct. 30, 2009.After three or four concussions, parents They sat beside him at the program launch, think their kids sporting career is finished, wearing Head Strong T-shirts and taking said Harry Zarins, executive director of the questions.Brain Injury Association of Canada. This is a Me and Ryan, we just want to be there for prime example that you can switch into him, said Landeskog, the Rangers' captain.another sport. You dont just stop being Dan Lebold, the Rangers trainer who helped active.save Fanelli's life, was there too. So were most If hockey wont change, the Ben Fanellis of his coaches and teammates, like Cody Sol of the world have to. Just dont ask him to and Mike Morrison. His agent, Waterloos Rob testify in the case against hockey. Its not his Hooper, also watched Fanellis winning perfor-duty. Hes been through enough. mance in front of the media.DAVID BEBEE / METROLAND MEDIA GROUPThe game goes on. You take your chances.Things are about to change for Ben Fanelli One shift, your whole career is ahead of again. He used to be the kid who missed the TEAM EFFORT:Kitchener Ranger teammates, Gabriel Landeskog (left) and Ryan Murphyyou.party to go to hockey.(right) were on hand to support Ben Fanelli (centre) as he launched Head Strong: Fanelli 4 Brain InjuryThe next shift, youre a triathlete in train-Now, Ill miss the party because I have to Awareness in Kitchener earlier this month. Fanelli intends to compete in a triathlon in June in Miltoning. If youre lucky.train for the triathlon, he said.to raise money for the program, which will assist people recovering from brain injuries.35 Friday, March 25, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER www.insideHALTON.com