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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday January 23, 2009 - 39 Mason to sit out YoungStars game Steve Mason is taking a much-deserved break and a pass on the NHL YoungStars game. Mason, who has started 15 consecutive games for the Columbus Blue Jackets, has been bothered by spasms in his back and will take the opportunity to rest. The Oakville native currently leads the NHL with a 2.05 goals-against average and six shutouts. He also ranks fifth in save percentage (.926). "I am honoured that the NHL picked me to play in the YoungStars Game," Mason said in Steve Mason a statement on the Blue Jackets' website. "And while I am disappointed that I won't be able to go, my top priority is my health and my team. I hope everyone will understand that." The 20-year-old is a leading candidate for both the Calder and Vezina trophies (for top rookie and goalie respectively) after winning the NHL's rookie of the month for both November and December. He is also starting to get some support for the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player. Mason has a record of 1711-2 with Columbus, which sits just two points out of the final playoff spot in the league's Western Conference. Without Mason in net, Columbus is 5-9-3. "Steve has been playing through some back spasms for the past two weeks and after talking it over with our medical staff, everyone decided the best course of action would be that he use the All-Star break to rest," said Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson. -- Herb Garbutt ON THE PROWL: The Oakville Hornets bantam Pink Panthers were golden at the Central York Girls Hockey Association tourney earlier this season. Pink Panthers prey on Central York competition The Oakville Hornets bantam Pink Panthers went 5-0 to win gold at the Central York Girls Hockey Association tournament earlier this season in Aurora. Oakville scored 23 goals during the competition while allowing only five. Members of the team, sponsored by The Waterworx Company, are Madison Merritt, Melanie Whalen, Amanda Hudson, Kendall Merritt, Tamara Harnden, Jennifer Knight, Melanie Birtles, Courtney Kotulak, Tara Sebastiani, Catherine Birtles, Brittany Kok, Kylie Pascos, Olivia O'Brien and Nicole Amaral. Mark Merritt, Eric Birtles and Steve Kotulak coach the team, and Bonnie-Sue O'Brien is the trainer. Chris Stamper, Neil Morrison, Andy Geddes, John Kennedy and Drew Doherty coach the Hornets, Kathy McHenry and Paula Schnarr are trainers, and tournament. Oakville did not allow a single Grace Norris is the manager. goal in its five games at the competition, including a 1-0 blanking Snowboarder Farrell 23rd at worlds of North Halton in the champiOakville snowboarder Patrick Farrell finished onship game. 23rd in the parallel giant slalom at the world chamThe Hornets' other wins came by 3-0 scores over Brantford and pionships in Gangwon, South Korea. Farrell was North Halton as well as 4-0 deci- third among Canadians, finishing behind Jasey Jay sions over St. Catharines and Anderson, who was sixth, and Matthew Morison, who was eighth. Mississauga. Goaltenders Lexi Doherty and Hailey Saxton combined for the five shutouts. Other members of the team, sponsored by Aircraft Printing and Grey Friars Pub, are Laura Crowdis, Mackenzie Stamper, Emily Taft, Jessica Geddes, Charlotte Dunn, Emma Murray, Breeann Gallagher, Cassidy MacPherson, Kaitlyn McAllister, Chloe Morrison, Kaitlyn Norris, Emily Schnarr, Jacinta Kennedy, Madelyn McHenry and Claire Merrick. SPORTSBRIEFS Dolphins shine at Youth Cup On top of Sinead Russell's four-medal performance at the Junior Pan Pacific swim championships (story, page 37), she and her Dolphins Swim Club of Oakville teammates also enjoyed plenty of success at last month's prestigious International Youth Cup meet, held at the Etobicoke Olympium. Competing against teams from across Canada as well as from the Cayman Islands, the Dolphins girls' team combined to bring home two Youth Cup High Point trophies, 19 gold medals, three silver, five bronze, 13 club Peewee BB Hornets records, 15 meet records and 10 top national rankings. impenetrable in Guelph Russell and 12-year-old Maggie Burns led the way for the Dolphins, each winning the Youth Cup trophy in their The Oakville peewee BB respective divisions. Lauren Dixon finished second overall Hornets could not have been any in the 13-year-old girls' division. better defensively than they were at Russell dominated the 15-17 division, winning eight the recent Guelph Thunderstorm individual gold and adding three senior relay gold. She broke her own provincial record for 15-18 girls in the 100m backstroke. Burns swam to victory in the 100m and 200m butterfly, 50m backstroke and 400m individual medley while adding one silver and four bronze. Dixon earned gold in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke and surprised the field by winning the 200m freestyle. In relay, the Dolphins were victorious in three of four senior relay events. Mariana Biasutto, Isabelle Nat, Meaghan McCann and Russell teamed to win the 4x100m Winter OGSA Skills Clinics - 700 Third Line (Arkema building) freestyle; Courtney Gregorian, Dixon, Biasutto and Age groups and times available on our website Russell won the 4x50m medley; and Gregorian, Nat, On-Site Registration available from 9am - 12pm Dixon and Russell swam to gold in the 4x100m medley. Bring Your Glove and Play or Adding bronze in the 4x50m freestyle was the team of Nat, McCann, Biasutto and Russell. REGISTER NOW ONLINE Another International Youth Cup highlight for the Dolphins was the performances of 11-year-old Olivia WWW.OGSA.MYSPORTSITE.COM Sbaraglia, who posted the top-ranked time in Canada for OGSA needs sponsors and coaches 50m freestyle. for more information call 905-825-5848 Olivia Andersen, Conchobhair Russell, Biasutto, Gregorian and McCann each reached individual finals at the meet. To Place An Ad In The Oakville Beaver Please Call 905-845-3824 GIRLS SOFTBALL SEASON STARTS THIS WEEKEND SOFTBALL - The Fun Starts Now