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Sports Oakville Beaver By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF www.aplushomes.ca from 2 .4% ·Full MLS ·Full Service Call ADAM CAMPBELL Broker 905-844-4444 SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2006 37 National title caps stellar season for Buzz WINDSOR -- For a team that prided itself on its work ethic, nowhere was the Oakville Buzz's commitment more apparent than in the sweat-soaked footprints on the floor of the Forest Glade Arena. In a one-game showdown for the national junior B lacrosse championship Sunday, the Buzz capitalized on a frantic 1:37 span midway through the third period, in which it scored four goals, to nail down a 10-4 victory over the host Windsor AKO Fratmen and claim the Founder's Cup. "This feeling -- knowing that it's over, we've won it and all the hard work paid off --that's what it was all about," said Oakville sniper Brenden Thenhaus. "We know we're national champions and that can never be taken away from us." "This feels incredible," added Josh Smyth, who led the Buzz with 25 points in five games. "I don't think this will sink in until tomorrow. I'm so proud of all the guys." The Buzz came in as the heavy favourite. Oakville ran roughshod over its Ontario Lacrosse Association rivals, posting a 19-1 record in the regular season and then winning 12 of 13 playoff encounters on its way to the league playoff title. Throw in the fact that Ontario routinely dominates the Founder's -- having won 24 of the last 25 titles -- and the Buzz was primed for victory. Even after four straight convincing wins in the Founder's tournament, including a 21-9 semifinal victory over the Calgary Shamrocks, the Buzz was only one loss from a disappointment that would have made last year's loss in the Ontario final seem trivial. Oakville delivered though, overcoming a slow start Sunday to silence the hometown Windsor fans and accomplish the goal it set at the beginning of the season. "Anything else would have been a disappointment," said Kyle Hagel, whose hat trick earned him MVP honours for the final. "It feels unbelievable to hoist that trophy." "I had faith in our team," said captain Bobby Debrone. "We had the pressure on us coming in as the favourite but we answered the call and came out with the win." Goalie named tournament MVP Oakville goalie Gary Muzzin, who was named the tournament's most valuable player, kept the Buzz in the game in the opening period. Spurred on by a noisy proWindsor crowd, the Fratmen outplayed the Buzz through the first 20 minutes. Muzzin came up with several big saves as the Buzz clung to a 1-0 lead. It wasn't until late in the period that a shot by Windsor's Krystian Seguin finally got by Muzzin, slipping through his legs and dribbling across the line to tie the game. The Buzz would give its goaltender a bit of breathing room as Justin Wilson-Kirby, with a shorthanded marker, and Hagel put the Buzz up 3-1 early in the second. Oakville would extend that lead to 5-2 by the end of the period. It was no surprise to the Buzz's veteran netminder. "We don't always start well but I don't think anyone can touch us for 60 minutes," he said. "We're too wellconditioned for that." Muzzin, who finished the tournament with a 4.60 goals-against average, gave the credit to the players in front of him. "I've said all year that we have the best D in the country and they proved that today." While the Buzz took a 5-2 lead into the final period, the Fratmen quickly cut the lead to two with a powerplay goal. It remained that way until a wild 97-second frenzy midway through the period. HERB GARBUTT / OAKVILLE BEAVER WHAT A FEELING: Bobby Debrone, Josh Smyth and Mike Bentivegna (pictured left to right) whoop it up after winning the Founder's Cup Sunday in Windsor. See Thomson page 38 O N LY O N E M O N T H R E M A I N S U N T I L T H E F I R S T W E E K O F FA L L I N D O O R SOCCER! DON'T MISS OUT - LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE ! REGISTER NOW!!! Boys/Girls U6 (2001) - Boys/Girls U18 (1989) Fall Season: OCTOBER 2 - DECEMBER 17 Winter Season: JANUARY 8 - APRIL 1 $140.00 Session/Per Player or $260.00 Combo/Player SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE New for the 2006/2007 Indoor Soccer Sea Visit www.oakville-soccer.on.ca for complete details. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR PARTICIPANTS & VOLUNTEERS IN THE U8 FRIENDSHIP FESTIVAL!! 504 Iroquois Shore Rd., Unit #11, Oakville, ON L6H 3K4 Tel: 905-849-4436 Fax: 905-849-3677 Thanks to our Key Sponsors The Oakville Beaver A Proud Sponsor of Oakville Soccer Club