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A18 - The Canadien Champion, Tuesday, January 10, 2006 D* _Sorts sleblanc@haltonsearch.com xTykesç edged At Ieft, Winterhawk Richelle Tam races peut an Ancaster opponent wlth teammete Nicholas Zorzl close behlnd in 'AM' minor atomn play et Milton Sports Centre Saturday. Below, Mlfton's Tyler Geetan colides wlth a vlaltlng rival. On the strength of two goals and an aaslst by Michael Hunter, the Wlnterhawks kept thine tlght with Ancaster - gettlng nipped 5-3. Photos by GRAHAM PAINE Appeal of Dupont's suspension stili going ahead Promotion with ECHL Ice Pilots temporary situation, says Forgione By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion G eorge Dupont's promotion with the ECHL's Pensacola Ice Pilots doesn't eliminate the possibility of him returning te Milton. IceHawksllce Pilots owner Mario Forgione offered that assurance Sunday afternoon, in the wake of handing over the Pensacola reins te Dupent Fnday - after bench boss Rick Adduono asas let go front the struggling Hlonda-based club, which flow sits at Il - 18-3. "Itfs just a temporary position. We're stitl looking for a permanent replacement (for the Ice Pilots) and are stili going ahead with the appeal of George's suspension." said Forgione. who brought Dupent on board with Pensacola as a temporary assistant coach exactly a montb ago. Suspended fromt the lceHawks George December 1 for the remainder of the season (including playoffs) for what the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) ruled as the paying of' players in contravention te their status as amateurs. Dupent aslI bc rcpresented by legal counsel this cern- ing Saturday when the lceHawks for- mally appeal the decision. While not wvanting to speculate on the outcome, Forgiene said be wasn't overly optimistic about the upcoming hearing - saying that the "OHA seems te, want t0 make an example of Milton on a number of issues. 1 don't Dupont sec them evertuming their original decision.- Saturday's appeal will be heard by the entire OHA board, with the exception of the three members who handed down the original ruling. Should the suspension be held up. the IceHawks plan te take the matter to the Ontario Hockey Federatien -and Hockey Canada if necessary. IThis is a huge impact to George's career and we'll take the appeal process as far as we have te.' Forgione stressed. 'Me IceHawks' owner maintains that neither his team nor Dupent did anything wrong in regards to the two players in question, stating that the OHA ruling was based on a technicality rather than the spirit of the issue. 'Me suspension - plus a $12.000 fine against Milton - avas the result of an investigation sparked by a complaint from the Streetsville Derbys. Dupent remains unavailable for comment. ý3q45 dsAe .ýMo (905) 878-8161 Open Daily