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Loss in Cup final will sting for a whileLang feels fortunate But Victor Oreskovich feels Canucks 'gave it all we had'to remain involvedBy Herb GarbuttOAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFin women's soccerContinued from page 39goal?Eight days later, it doesnt hurt any less. And I think it was 47 yards when I Victor Oreskovich doesnt expect that to change lowing:was out with the B.C. Lions kickerDany time soon.ied your hair blue?(for a story for a Vancouver TV sta-NoLast week, he and the Vancouver Canucks were .tion).Uttered the phrase When I wason the brink of winning the Stanley Cup. Up 3-2 in You travelled a lot as a player, gthe best-of-seven Cup final, the Canucks were irl'?but now it seems youre in a differ-Nobeaten 5-2 in Game 6, setting up a one-game, , I dont think so.ent city every week. Are you travel-winner-take-all game for hockeys top prize.Joined a bridge club.ling more since you retired?No, havent done thatThe Bruins then blanked the Canucks 4-0 in the .Probably not. Especially theDdeciding game in Vancouver, leaving Oreskovich riven across the country in alast year and an half leading up to motorhome?and his teammates to watch Bostons Zdeno Chara (World Cup) qualifying, we were Nope.and Tim Thomas lift the Cup over their heads.travelling through Europe and SIts not any easier now, its not going to be any ince you retired, have you had quite a few trips through Asia. I anyeasier 10 years from now, Oreskovich said. Ive days, especially as the Worldwas living in L.A. after I retired butCup gets cnever lost anyone close to loser, that you wished I came back to fulfill my role onyou were stime, fortunately. Its prob-ll playing?It's not anythe board of the CSA (Canadian Abably the most sad Ive solutely. I dont think thereseasier now, it's notSoccer Association) as the athlete abeen. We were so close. soccer player that doesnt wish going to be any representative.Most is a word they could play forever. Of courseeasier 10 years Hows your relationship withOreskovich uses often as its exciting with the World Cup U.S. customs?coming up and it pulls at my heartfrom now... It'she describes a dream sea- I dont know. I got put on someson that had everything strings. But Ive accepted it and probably the most kind of list and every time I go except the perfect end-Im fortunate to still be part of thesad I've been. Wethrough I get searched. I once had game, helping grow the womening.s were so close.PHOTO COURTESY VANCOUVER CANUCKSa guy ask why I had so manygamePrior to last season, .stamps (in my passport). I told MOreskovich was search-ichael Jordan retired and wentSO CLOSE: Oakville's Victor Oreskovich came within Victor Oreskovichhim I played womens soccer. And ing for a team that would to baseball. If you were to pick one win of sipping from the Stanley Cup this spring withhe said Really? Womens soccer? another sport, what woueven give him a shot to ld it be?the Vancouver Canucks. He says losing Game 7 to theIt was one of the most frustratingprove himself in the minors after a self-imposed Id like to say surfing. I wish I Bruins won't be any easier to deal with 10 years from nowexperiences.could be a pro surfer but I dontretirement. Twenty months later, he was within a than it is today.You have a very healthy diet. victory of winning the Stanley Cup.think I have the talent. I dontWhatas a player. I felt really comfortable and I think its the one bad thing youknowThe 24-year-old winger hopes to return to help , Ive always wanted to tryhwas the right move for me to take the next step.avent been able to give up?Vancouver finish the job next season but hell skeleton.Now his goal is to build on that. OreskovichI definitely believe in modera-You pbecome a restricted free agent July 1. He is confi-layed football as a kid. If aarrived back in Oakville Monday, took a day off andtion. Once in a while I endulge.CFL team needed an emergencydent that a deal will be worked out with the team. Pthen started working out in preparation for nextrobably cakes. I have a little bit of kId love to go back, he said. I had a blast. Its icker for a game, would you be aseason. sweet tooth.the most fun Ive ever had.interested?You had the impressive feat oWith my combination of size and speed, I canf With Vancouvers long playoff run, Oreskovich If my knee could hold up. It get in on the forecheck, and my offensive game isscoring a goal four seconds into awould be kind of dangerous, butended up playing in more games in the playoffs gcoming around, he said. Im going to work extraame. If you were given four sec-yeah, that would be fun(19) than regular season games (16). He said that .onds nowhard. I want to be as good a player as I can be., what could you do to Dwas part of the plan Vancouver laid out for him id you practice it very often?So while the pain of losing Game 7 wont goimpress us?No, when I was younger I pracwhen he was acquired from Florida at last years -Ohaway anytime soon, Oreskovich says,I think we no, hmmm. I could proba-entry draft.tised once in a while. I tried a fewbly do a handcan sleep knowing we gave it all we had.stand. I could hold it aI think they felt I was rushed to the NHL last t UCLA. I had some friends on the for a long time. I dont have anyyear so it was part of their plan and I kind of football team and we tried some weird Herb Garbutt can be followed talents. Definitely not sing-aexpected that, he said of not getting recalled until fter soccer practice. on Twitter at @Herbgarbutting, that would be awful.What was your longest fieldthe latter stages of the season. I thought I matured Oakville Yacht Buzz will host first two games of seriesContinued from page 39Akwesasne this year, edging the Lightning 4-3Squadron Sailing Schoolhome-floor advantage, Rook said.at the beginning of May.Itll help us get the kids into it at home. ItsIt helps that weve played there once,Summer Fun downtown OakvilleGreat Summer Fun for Youth Ages 7 & up!obviously not as intimidating as going on theRook said. Our first game up there (in GameOPEN HOUSE - 7:30 pm Tuesday June 14th 2 week sailing camp programs 4 July to 26 August Day Camp runs July & Augustroad, the Buzz coach said. Hopefully that gets3), our kids will be more prepared.Come and ;nd out about the Oakville waterfront us some confidence and gets our rookies intoAARook, who expects a low-scoring series, said sdpulot rPt rthoagrt atmhes yA cvainla belnejoy their entire lifeand summer activities for the whole family!the playoffs, dipping their toe in, so to speak.his defence will need to play with more of an Spaces Still Available!Summer Day Camp for youth ages 7 & up - Then well be ready to go on the road andedge in order to get past the Lightning. CYA Accredited Instructorsspaces still available!should have our confidence after two strongNOTES: Rook said Buzz captain Sam White Check out our OPEN HOUSE- May 25thCYA accredited Sailing Instructorsgames.(shoulder) wont be back in the lineup untilAdult lessons & shared use of club keelboatsFor more Judging by the regular-season records of next weekend at the earliest. Ryan Callahaninfo contact: 905-338-9both clubs, playing at home should be a real(orbital bone) could return this weekendFor more information call Andrew @905-338-9379ssinfo@oysqn.comNRAadvantage in the series. The Buzz is 8-2 at GlenESpencer Gallant assisted on four of OakvillesLwww.oysqn.com/sailingschool.htmlwww.oysqn.com/sailingsschool.htAbbey this year, while the Lightning is 7-2-1 atfive goals in Tuesdays loss to the Saints. EricWeek!e are located on the west side of 16 Mile CrILAOr come visit us!(97 Forsythe Stree SOTthe Turtle Dome in Akwesasne.Wales scored twice, while Colton Watkinsonthe west side of 16 Mile CreekThen again, Oakville won in its only visit toand Elliott Cowburn added singles.www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, June 24, 2011 40