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18 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 18, 2009 Blades, Cougars set to clash If timing is indeed everything, the Oakville Blades have caught a major break as they prepare to face the Burlington Cougars in the second round of the Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs. When the teams open their series tomorrow (Thursday, 8:30 p.m. at Joshua's Creek Arenas), the Cougars are expected to be without star netminder and MacKinnon Division most valuable player Andrew Hare. Hare received a travesty of game gross misconduct in Burlington's last game, a 5-2 victory that concluded a first-round sweep of the Milton IceHawks. The penalty also includes a two-game suspension, meaning Hare will likely be out for the first two games of the series against the Blades. Oakville head coach Carlo Coccimiglio is well aware of Hare's abilities, having seen the 18-year-old goalie defeat his club twice this season, but downplayed the impact of the suspension. "Drew Fielding (the Cougars' backup) is also a top-end goalie," Coccimiglio said. "He can step up and be a number one. It doesn't matter who's in net on their side. We have to play our systems and our style." Like the Cougars, the Blades enter the series off a first-round sweep. Oakville finished off the Brampton Capitals Saturday with a 6-2 victory at Joshua's Creek Arenas, concluding the series with 19 goals in the three games. Luke Moodie (two), Ryan Murphy, Chris Rocca, Chris Muise and Lindsay Sparks scored in the series clincher. "I thought we played very well offensively," said Coccimiglio, "but defensively we didn't play our systems. The players know what they'll have to do the next series against Burlington, which will be more of a defensive game." This will be the fourth playoff meeting between the Blades and Cougars in the past seven years. Oakville easily won the three other series, including sweeps in 2003 and 2004. Burlington is playing in the second round for the first time since 2000. "I'm looking forward to it. It should be great for the fans to watch," said Coccimiglio, a resident of Burlington. "A lot of these players played against each other in minor hockey. There's a healthy rivalry." The Cougars took three of five games between the teams during the regular season, although their Dec. 13 victory was awarded after a Burlington protest overturned an Oakville 5-3 win. Game 2 of the series is slated for Friday in Burlington, with Game 3 tentatively scheduled for Sunday in Oakville. -- Jon Kuiperij MAHL Mens Amateur Hockey League Join the MAHL as an individual or with a team and look forward to the once a week hockey night in Oakville. MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER Voted Best Adult Hockey League in Oakville! Summer League Info: · Joshua's Creek Arena · Monday to Thursday · $4150 per team (taxes incl.) · All divisions are offered · No off night games or byes · Season starts first week of May · Quality Referees LEAGUE ALMOST SOLD OUT! · Online Stats - Pointstreak · Online Registration VICTORY LAP: Jacob Rowsell of the Wolfpack skates around the ice with the championship trophy after his team won the Pool B title of Monday's Hockey Day in Oakville Tyke Exhibition Series at Canlan Ice Sports. Tykes celebrate Hockey Day in Oakville The calendar referred to it as Family Day, but eight Minor Oaks Hockey Association tyke house league teams had a different title for Monday. The teams of seven- and eight-year-olds celebrated the inaugural Hockey Day in Oakville Tyke Exhibition Series, holding a miniature tournament at Canlan Ice Sports. Playing in front of plenty of friends and family, the Canadiens and Wolfpack both won championships. The Canadiens, a White Division allstar team, edged the Eagles 2-1 in the final of Pool A, while the Wolfpack squeaked past the Hound Dogs in a shootout in the Pool B final. The St. Michael's Maniac, mascot of the Ontario Hockey League's Toronto St. Michael's Majors, joined Monday's festivities, which were organized by Paul Amato and Marylou Lepore. www.mahl.ca 905-580-3684 email: info@mahl.ca Oakville Little League - 2009 Youth Baseball Registration Division Age Space is limited in some divisions. Register early to avoid disappointment. Blastball 4-5 T-Ball 5-6 Coach Pitch 6 - 7 Rookeball 8 Minor A 9 Minor AA 10 Minor AAA 11 Major 12 Junior 13 - 14 Senior 15 - 18 WHERE: OAKVILLE LITTLE LEAGUE FIELDHOUSE, 425 Cornwall Road WHEN: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21st, 2009 from 9:00AM to 4:00PM Oakville Little League offers: 6 6 6 6 The largest youth baseball organization in Oakville. The highest caliber, fun and fair-play house leagues. Grass infields, pitching mounds, outfield fences & dugouts for ages 9 & up. The only All-Star program to compete in Senior, Junior & Little League World Series playdowns. 6 Fees include: Major League replica uniform, individual & team photos. For more information call 905-827-1831 or register online at www.ollb.org