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W E B B S I G H T S F I R S T Positive thinking, community support integral in teen's fight against cancer continued from p.16 very thankful to the community, the famhad just begun his first semester at Halifax's ily and friends for all the support they proDalhousie University, an education he had vided through the summer months when initially been forced to delay while he un- Brandon was going through the journey of derwent months of intensive chemotherapy chemotherapy and everything else," Brent at Hamilton's Juravinski Cancer Centre. His said. "We're also very thankful the Blades are stepping forward in raising moneys for lymphoma is now in remission. "It felt great," Johnston said Monday from cancer (treatment), because we sure hope it can help many others in their Halifax, referring to attendfights down the road. ing his first university class. "I "When we were in the hoshad gone to visit Halifax a few pital, we saw hundreds of peotimes prior to accepting my ofple affected by this disease. It's fer there. I was just so excited nice to see people out there to get back out here. supporting us." "Never for a moment did I Blades president Rob Campthink I wasn't going to beat it. bell said much of the money I knew it from the start. I was raised was generated by playa strong, young, healthy guy, ers gaining pledges. Oakville and so far nothing's been able forward David Dischiavi to knock me down. I've had raised nearly $2,300. Wendy a lot of injuries and whatnot Polotek, mother of Blades forthroughout my hockey caward Chris Polotek, presented reer, and this was just another a $4,000 cheque from Scotiabump in the road," he added. bank's Glen Abbey branch. "All my good buddies, all my Brandon Johnston Halton Regional Police spefriends and family, especially Cancer survivor cial constable Kim Kelly, who Ross, were there from the start plans to bicycle from Halton for me. They were always coming to visit me in the hospital when I may to Charlottetown this spring to raise money have been down. They kept me positive and for the Canadian Cancer Society, was also recognized before Friday's game. kept me fighting the whole time." "I'm sure there was a number of people in Sloan, who leads the Blades in scoring this season with 14 goals and 23 assists in the stands who have fought their own bat40 games, and Blades equipment manager tles," Campbell said. "Whatever small way we can help (instill Craig Clayton came up with the idea to make Johnston one of the guests of honour values in our players) with experiences like for Pink In The Rink. Brent and Linda rep- this and the food bank and being out in the resented Johnston for a ceremonial opening marketplace, we're making them appreciate faceoff during the evening, which raised ap- how important they are and the effect they proximately $25,000 for the Canadian Can- can have on other people. "To put some effort in and see, wow, we cer Foundation. "We were very touched by the evening, could reach the $25,000 mark very easily -- with them recognizing Brandon... We are that's pretty cool." 17 | Wednesday, January 15, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Garth Webb Chargers captain Lisa Mishko (left) and teammate Jana Mandic celebrate a point during Thursday's Halton high school senior girls' volleyball match against the Lester B. Pearson Patriots. Webb won in straight sets, 25-19, 25-22, to remain undefeated this season (8-0) in Tier 2 play. The Chargers were scheduled to host Robert Bateman yesterday (Tuesday) in their final game before the league shuts down for exams. | photo by Graham Paine-- Oakville Beaver -- @Halton_Photog Never for a moment did I think I wasn't going to beat it, I knew it from the start. OSC technical director will assist national team by running drills, translating instructions continued from p.16 ship," said Carbajal. "I work very closely with my technical staff at OSC and I fully trust their ability to handle the day-to-day operations of the technical department in my absence. Additionally, thanks to technology, I can be in regular communication via email and telephone with everybody at the club." "We couldn't have a technical director who was full-time with the Canadian men's national team... Our focus here is on our membership," Harris added. "But there's no question having somebody in our club being part of the national team is a feather in our cap." Carbajal said his primary duties with the national team will be assisting head coach Benito Floro with the running of training sessions at the camp. "The fact that I also speak Spanish allows me to understand the meaning of certain instructions and ideas behind the instructions quicker than the rest, because I'm also familiar with (Floro's) soccer culture," Carbajal said. Bekker is coming off his rookie season in Major League Soccer, playing in nine games -- including three starts -- with Toronto FC. The 23-year-old midfielder, who ranks second all-time at Boston College in assists, earned four caps for the U23 Canadian men's team during the 2012 CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament. "In my opinion, (Kyle) was our most outstanding player in the Pre-Olympic tournament in Guatemala," said Carbajal, who was an assistant coach on that team as well. Twelve of the 23 players participating in the camp will be eligible to represent Canada's U23 team that will attempt to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. According to a Soccer Canada release, most players at the camp likely won't be mainstays at the senior level for some time. The camp will conclude Jan. 22. Hard-charging Mississauga in hot pursuit of Blades If the Oakville Blades are hearing footsteps, it's likely the Mississauga Chargers. Mississauga continues to close ground on the Blades for one of the final playoff spots in the Ontario Junior Hockey League's South-West Conference. The ninth-place Chargers (the top eight teams in each conference qualify for the post-season) trailed Oakville by 11 points two weeks ago, but two recent wins over the Blades -- including a 7-2 decision Friday at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex -- have helped pull Mississauga (1720-2) within five points of Oakville (19-18-3). The Toronto Jr. Canadiens (18-22-2) hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the South-West, three points behind the Blades. While Mississauga is surging -- winning six of its last seven -- the Blades have lost six of their last eight and Toronto has dropped seven of its last eight. Toronto has 11 games remaining on its regular-season schedule, Oakville has 13 and Mississauga has 14. Kamil Tkaczuk and Ross Sloan scored for Oakville Friday in the Blades' annual Pink In The Rink cancer awareness and fundraising game. Two days later, the Blades were defeated 5-1 in Wellington by the host Dukes. Wellington, which outshot Oakville 58-26, led 2-1 after two periods but broke the game open with three power-play goals in the third. David Dischiavi scored an unassisted marker for the Blades, and Mark Manolescu made 53 saves in a losing cause. Oakville will be home to Toronto this Friday (Jan. 17), a 7:30 p.m. start at Sixteen Mile. The Blades then visit the 26-11-3 Whitby Fury Sunday.