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16 Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 2007 Ready to rock 36-save effort by Mason vaults Canada into final Legein sets up insurance marker Oakville's Steve Mason answered any questions about his ability to lead his Canadian team to the world junior hockey championship final. Some questioned Canadian head coach Craig Hartsburg's decision to start the 19-year-old goaltender in yesterday's semifinal game against the United States, after Mason allowed two less-than-stellar goals in Canada's 4-2 win over Finland two days earlier. But Mason was up to the task against the U.S., carrying a shutout into the late going to backstop Canada to a 4-1 win and a berth in today's final against Sweden (a game that will start at 2 p.m. and be televised live on TSN). There had also been some speculation that Mason might have been distracted by a trade that sent him from the London Knights to the OHL rival Kitchener Rangers. However, the Abbey Park High School graduate was rocksolid in yesterday's semifinal, making several difficult saves while the outcome of the game was still in doubt. Mason was named Canada's player of the game, making 36 saves. Holy Trinity alumnus Stefan Legein also factored in, setting up Colton Gillies' marker on a 3-on-2 rush to make the score 3-0 in the third period. He also might have saved a goal against Canada in the second period, backchecking to break up a play near the Canadian goal while the score was still 1-0. John Tavares, a student at St. Thomas Aquinas, received limited ice time in the victory, narrowly missing a goal from close range on a second-period powerplay. Sweden earned its spot in today's gold-medal clash with a 2-1 overtime win over Russia in the other semifinal. TIM GALL / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER PROVINCIALS: Oakville Curling Club Mapletoft rink second Jamie Parker (centre) releases a shot as Jake Walker (left) and Scott Howard prepare to sweep during this week's Ontario Junior Curling Championships in Coldwater. The Oakville rink was 2-2 entering last night's action, needing to finish in the top three of the eight-team round-robin to advance to the playoff round. For more on the tournament, see page 17. Metcalfe reaches OHL Undrafted defenceman signs with Owen Sound OHL-BOUND: Oakville native Spencer Metcalfe (left), pictured in action earlier this season with the Georgetown Raiders, recently signed with the OHL's Owen Sound Attack. EAMONN MAHER / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Spencer Metcalfe didn't make it to the Ontario Hockey League as quickly as he planned. But he still made it. The 17-year-old defenceman, who suffered a knee injury two years ago and was not selected in the OHL draft, signed with the Owen Sound Attack earlier this week. Having spent the past season and a half with the tier 2 Georgetown Jr. A Raiders, Metcalfe said cracking the OHL is a dream come true. "I wanted to play in the OHL this year. It was my goal because I want to go the next step and be the best player I can be," said the St. Thomas Aquinas student. "Even if I don't play every game up here, practicing and working out and being here is a treat. Practice is at a great tempo and I feel like I'm learning a lot more." Metcalfe captained the Oakville minor midget AAA Rangers two years ago, when he was involved in a car accident that caused damage to his knee. He didn't suffer any extensive lig- ament or muscle damage, but the bumps and bruises were still enough to scare away OHL scouts. With Georgetown last year, Metcalfe scored six goals and added six assists. This season, he had three goals and 12 helpers in 33 games, also recording 70 penalty minutes -- a total that ranked second on the team. "My game is to play simple (defence), get the puck out and be aggressive. Sometimes aggressive turns into a couple fights," said the 6foot-1, 195-pound Metcalfe. "I'm not a goon or anything, but I stick up for my teammates." Metcalfe said the Attack, only five points out of a playoff spot in the West Conference but in a rebuilding mode, has told him he will dress for every game if he plays effectively. Owen Sound was scheduled to visit the top-ranked Kitchener Rangers yesterday, and hosts the Sarnia Sting tonight. -- Jon Kuiperij