Apr SPORTS MOTORS LTD AUTO BODY SHOP i CT Stingers scoop bronze in CanAm tournament A local hockey dub has returned from the Can Am Invitational Tournament with a bronze medal The Acton Stingers from the Erin Contact League travelled to Lake Placid New York for the tournament and competed against teams from Forest and Mlssisaauga The Stingers opened the B division of the tournament against and in a game that remained close for a win Game two saw the local squad pitted against the Wellington Warriors from and again the Stingers found stiff competition It wasnt until the last minutes of the game that Wellington opened the scoring gap and by then it was too late for the Stingers who succumbed to their op ponents In round three the Frankford team found themselves fadng the Stingers and in another exciting match that decided until the final minutes the team pulled ahead for a win The final match was set Saturday night with the Stingers facing the Grand Bend Colonials from Forest The Stingers went into the game skating hard and going Into However the Forest team returned moments later and tied the match 1 The tally remained 1 until the 14 minute mark in the final frame when the Stingers mashed in the final goal of the game to win the bronze medal Team members of the Acton Stingers are Evan Steve Marshall Smith Elmer Dunn Ken Staney Bruce McPher son Eric Strokov Rick Bob Al Schrepf Steve Townsley Henry Roy Leard Bill Fisher Harnden John Case Stan and coaches Ray Graham and Dennis Harnden From stickboy to trainer Acton man loves sports Starting as a stick boy with the Acton Sabres eight years ago John Thompson had no Idea that the Job would grow into a year round pastime m the winter months Thompson Is a trainer for the Acton Sabres hockey team during the summer months the 24year old Acton man is busy with the Fergus Thistles Senior A Lacrosse team Despite the fact that Thompson doesnt play any sports himself ho loves to be dose to the action and as a trainer he cant get much closer without being right In the game Between the two sports hockey and lacrosse Thompson said he prefers being a trainer with the Thistles Its a much more exciting sport because it a fast hardhitting and the tend to be tougher in lacrosse than they are in hockey Thompson noted There are a lot of similarities between the two sports continued Thompson and lin ante to apply some of the same techniques in both games Thompson Is the first to arrive and the last to leave a game and to get ready be begins by setting up his liniments bandages and tape When the players arrive he begins to wrap Charley hones tape ankles and get toe slightly Injured players filed up so looy can the fast without hurting themselves professional teams have university degrees In kinesiology and years of training Thompson feels that the actual hands on training and experience that hes had over the past eight years has taught him nearly as much As well hes taken numerous weekend training courses and seminars to keep up with the latest developments In the training field and Thompson has bis St John Ambulance certificates After a game Is over Thompson checks out any new bruises and sore muscles and carts bar re and bottles of liniment into the Ron McKnlght Is known throughout Hslton Hills for Us love of he Montreal Canadlens Last weekend he got a rare opportunity when NHL referee Bryan Lewis of Georgetown invited him to attend games three and in the Battle of Quebec He got to see another side the NHL and see his favorite team split with the before claiming an eventual series win Canadiens fan McKnigHt sees series first hand For the past three hockey seasons Hills resident and Montreal super an Ron McKnlght has been very quiet They have been three long hockey seasons especially at playoff time for the Town of Hilton Hills employee and Acton resident This year a sudden turn of events and surprising success has Ron smiling again especially thoughts of last weekend Or at least ho thought It would be as he prepared himself to sit In front of the television and watch his favorite team in games three and four of the Battle of Quebec Ron never got the opportunity to sec a minute of the game on the tube He complaining Long time friend NHL referee Bryan Lewis had a few surprises in store for a cerebral palsy victim On the Sunday morning Lewis made arrangements with NHL supervisor John for Ron to fly with Bryan to Montreal to take in the games in person It was something Ron will never forget It was a spur of the moment thing high from the trip Bryan phoned Sunday morning and asked If I would like to go By that afternoon Ron and referee Lewis were winging their way to Montreal for the Stanley Cup playoffs Ron had been to the Forum before to watch his team but never during a crucial series It was like a dream for McKnlght Christ mas all over again He got the opportunity to meet with the entire NHL staff working the series and had conversations with the Hockey Night In Canada crew on more than one occasion Before Sundays game three Ron had an opportunity to meet Quebec coach Michel Bergeron announcer Bob Cole and Mickey Redmond along with Ralph Mellanby the executive producer or Hockey Night In Canada and also Georgetown linesmen Ron Finn and Leon Stickle as well as game three referee Kerry Ron was thrilled with the game that night a 1 win helped make a memorable trip even more worthwhile Following the contest on the Ice Ron and Bryan returned to the hotel to Rons room where he entertained the NHL officiating staff Lewis McCauley and stand by official Terry all went to Rons room following the game On Monday got a first look at how the NHL officials operate breakfast In Lewis room with the Monday night game crew it was on to the Forum McKnlght and the officials The held a pre game meeting while Ron took die chance to sight see around the Forum Sean and Shannon Finn son of Georgetown linesman Ron Finn who also made trk During the afternoon Ron had a renew some old acquaintances with linesman Leon Stickle a former resident and spent time chatting with Mickey Redmond and Terry Gregson Travelling with the officials meant Ron had to be at the rink early but that seem to bother him He got the opportunity to meet former great and assistant coach Jaques Laperlerre and Irvine along with Jean Bellveau while waiting for the same to set underway With Georgetown a Lewis calling the shots the Canadlens went down to a overtime toss While that disappointed McKnlght it wasnt going to ruin a great weekend It was a good game to watch admitted Ron and the fans sure got their moneys wor After the Monday game they saw a few sights With Lewis at the helm of his wheel chair they took In a few Montreal hot spots stopping the Blue Angel and then had a snack at Bens Restaurant The pair caught an early flight back t Toronto on Tuesday morning and just In time for McKnlght Ron had taken the week off work to do some visiting and take in the Blue Jays home opener Ron was appreciative of the efforts of Lewis McCauley and the other NHL of who made he trip possible and ex citing How many people would take the time tc set something like this up questioned Ron it makes me feel good that he Lewis thinks enough of me as a friend to do that They made me feel at home In a strange city They made me feel like one of the fellas he added and they were great games to boot McKnlght was awed by the opportunity to get a behind the scenes look at the NHL Im grateful stated Ron Its something never forget To quote a TV series says Ron It was a Thrill of a lifetime It is really Important after a game to make sore that players ami going home with a bad Injury and by using common sense there are very few serious injuries Thompson said The worst thing that can happen to a player a spinal Injury said Thompson and If common sense Is used and proper medical attention is obtained the severity of Injury be molted greatly John Thompson a trainer for both lacrosse and hockey Is at the Acton arena Tuesday and Thursday nights with the Fergus Thistles Injuries in lacrosse tended to be much worse than in hockey commented Thompson but there also seem to be fewer Injuries I go Into each game hoping that nothing will happen to any of the players Thomp son said but If Injuries do occur then Im there to make sure that the injured man wont suffer further barm and to give preliminary first aid and get medical help if necessary For the future Thompson said hell be staying on as trainer for the Thistles and with he coming season hell be travelling to the Pioneer cup games in British Columbia where his team will compete against New Westminister Victoria and Thompson also said hed like to be back with the Sabres again next year as well While his title Is trainer Thompson said be really doesnt do any training with the because the framing is usually left up to the coaching staff and why be and his peers are called trainers Is a mystery to Industrial ball starts Sunday There are still a couple of teams looking for players as the Acton Industrial Baseball league gets ready to kick off their season this Sunday at The league which was formed seven yearsagohaasevenleamsthlsseason Last year there were 10 teams Teams this year are Canadian Ttre managed by BID Gillies Acton Royals managed by Ian Campbell managed by Dave Black Acton Furniture managed by Al Campbell Freed Constru ction managed by Holmes Acton managed by Dan Allen and the Bears managed by Gary Boreas The league will play most of their games at Prospect Park Wednesdays Thursdays Saturdays and Sundays The teams are basically the same as last year said spokesman for the league Bill They are anticipating a good season because more of the teams are evenly matched Last year said Routledge there were four teams that were pretty close all season with two teams on the bottom and two teams right on top This year there should be six or seven teams evenly matched Routledge said The Industrial League has booked one weekend tournament at Prospect Park for September 1 and 3 and they will invite teams for the slow pitch tourney The executives for the Industrial League this year are Ron McKnlght President Gus Jeffries Vice President Bruce secretary and Dave Treasurer also said that any rained out game win likely be played in Ladies ball starts May 6 Refs elect 84 executive a the not a doctor admitted Thompson Itainore of what cotM be preven tative therapist At the year end meeting of the Acton Association April 19 a new was elected that see m of Km same faces en the board as last year Charlie Harrison who was Refine la Chief It now President aad Referee Chief Harrison replaced Brian April the last until Ray Is the new vicepres and Heath Norton remains as secretary Brian Is the new treasurer and Ed Norton remain as a dnrector The IPH season for the Harveys Firestone Fastball ready to roll According to Sue Paulsen manager of the team tryouts will be bald this Sunday at Prospect Park and the season opener will bo Mays Eighteen women are trying out right now said Poubeo and new players are to come out for the practices Erin last year and hopefully this year they finish even better We improved a lot last year and we several team members returning tins we have some experienced Tournaments have been scheduled Port Elgin and year continued and we looking at several ether competitions Each toam member has to pay a registration Tbe coaches tins said that the team finished sixth CUB said