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26 Sports Oakville Beaver www.aplushomes.ca Adam Campbell 905-844-4444 I N D E P E N D E N T LY O W N E D A N D O P E R AT E D Broker of Record B R O K E R A G E SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2009 Long playoff run is to dye for Blond Blades begin title defence tonight against Caps By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR Chris Muise is counting on being blond for a long time. Like the rest of his Oakville Blades teammates, the 20-year-old Muise has bleached his hair for the Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs. And, for his first time as a Jr. A hockey player, Muise expects to be participating in the playoffs for a while. "It's weird. The last two or three years, I never made it out of the second round," said Muise, who was dealt to the Blades a month ago by the Brampton Capitals. "We are going to have a chance to actually go far and this would be my hair for longer than a couple series. I'm really excited to do this." The Blades will open the playoffs today (Wednesday) against Muise's former team, the Capitals. Game time for the opener of the best-of-five series is scheduled for 8 p.m. at Joshua's Creek Arenas, with Game 2 slated for tomorrow (Thursday) in Brampton. Oakville, the defending league champion, is the heavy favourite. The Blades set a franchise record with 41 wins in 49 games this year, good for second place in the MacKinnon Division, while the Capitals struggled to a 1724-8 mark and seventh-place finish. Oakville also swept the season series RIZIERO VERTOLLI / OAKVILLE BEAVER between the clubs, scoring six or more goals FAMILIAR SIGHT: Chris Muise (left) and Kyle Badham (right) celebrate a goal with one of their in all four meetings. The playoff series promises to be emotionOakville Blades teammates during their 15-2 rout of the Milton IceHawks Saturday at Joshua's Creek al for Muise and fellow Blades forward Tyler Arenas. Leimbrock, who combined to play 336 games for the Capitals during their three-plus seasons in Brampton. "I personally want to take it to them pretty hard," Muise said. "I have friends over there and stuff but if they even win a game, it will be like (them winning the) series. I want to give it to them pretty good." Muise and Leimbrock were the Capitals' top two scorers at the time of the trade. Brampton has only one player on its roster -- local resident Robert Lucciantonio -- older than 18. Young teams can be dangerous Oakville obviously has the edge in depth and experience, but Blades captain Jeremy Welsh is wary of the dangers a young team can present -- particularly in a short series. "Yeah, they're inexperienced, but at the same time they'll be excited and liking a chance to play Oakville in the first round, to showcase themselves," Welsh said. "As long as we play well (tonight) and set the tone, we should be fine." The Blades certainly aren't expecting many more games like the two they played last weekend to conclude the regular season. Oakville routed the Mississauga Chargers 8-1 Friday, then pounded the Milton IceHawks 15-2 the following night. "We're glad the regular season is done so we can get back to the excitement of playoffs and hopefully have a good run," said Welsh, See Playoffs page 27 OAKVILLE SOCCER CLUB www.oakvillesoccer.ca OAKVILLE SOCCER CLUB INTRODUCES OUR NEW SPRING PROGRAMS "A fun & exciting fitness program for women of all ages! " WHEN: Wednesday BEGINNING: March 4 ­ May 27 (12 week program) No classes during March Break (March 16-20) TIME: 10:00 ­ 11:00am GROUP SIZE: Maximum 20pp WHERE: Pine Glen Soccer Centre (Third Line-One block south of Dundas) COST: $200.00/person POWER-CONFIDENCE-MOTIVATION-ENERGY-STRENGTH YOU'LL LOOK BETTER! YOU'LL FEEL GREAT! WOMEN'S SOCCER FIT PROGRAM www.oakvillesoccer.ca MINI KICKERS PROGRAM Introduction to the game of soccer for boys & girls between the ages of 3-5 years WHEN: Wednesday TIME: 1:30pm-2:30pm BEGINNING: March 4 ­ May 27 (12 week program) No classes during March Break (March 16-20) GROUP SIZE: RATIO 1-8 WHERE: Pine Glen Soccer Centre (Third Line-One Block south of Dundas) COST: $170.00/person DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO ASSURE EACH PLAYER HAS FUN IN A SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT! PICK UP SOCCER! WHO: Male & Female BEGINNING: WEEK OF FEBRUARY 23 WHEN: Tuesday & Thursdays TIME: 12:00pm-2:00pm COST: $5.00/per person (As of March 17th) GIVE IT A TRY ON THE HOUSE FOR THREE WEEKS! Allowing individual attention to player development within a small group setting! WHEN: Wednesday TIME: 4:00pm ­ 5:00pm BEGINNING: March 4 ­ April 29 (8 week program) No classes during March Break (March 16-20) AGES: U11 (1998) ­ U16 (1993) BOYS & GIRLS GROUP SIZE: 1-5 Ratio WHERE: Pine Glen Soccer Centre (Third Line-One Block south of Dundas) COST: $ SMALL GROUP TRAINING PROGRAM MARCH BREAK SOCCER CAMP U7 (2002) ­ U18 (1991) MARCH 16 ­ 20 9:00AM ­ 4:00PM DAILY PINE GLEN SOCCER CENTRE INCLUDES: Quality Soccer Instruction, T-shirt, Friday Lunch REGISTRATION FOR 2009 OUTDOOR SEASON NOW AVAILABLE IN PERSON AT THE (PINE GLEN SOCCER CENTRE-1520 PINE GLEN ROAD) PROOF OF AGE REQUIRED OAKVILLE SOCCER CLUB 170/person CREATING A CHALLENGING & COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT TO ENABLE PLAYERS TO DEVELOP THEIR TRUE POTENTIAL! COST: $400.00/person VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR WAIT LIST UPDATES! The Oakville Beaver A Proud Sponsor of Oakville Soccer Club