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8 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, February 6,1991 I SPORT THOUGHTS] by Brad Kelly, M Orono Figure Skaters To Participate at Pine Ridge If you were awakened by the sound of a slightly off-key trumpet last week, there was no need to be alarmed. It was only me blowing my own horn. And anyone who knows me well, will realize that I won't be long in telling you why I was playing such a tune. In fact, I was so bang-on with my predictions, I could have been a whole symphony orchestra. But then that line my father-in-law uses on me quite frequently -if bull were music, you'd be a whole brass band-was echoing through my ears. So, let's just stick to the facts. Maestro. Fact: It was predicted in this space prior to the start of the Central Junior C league, that the standings standings at the end of the season would be Uxbridge in first followed by Port Perry and Bowmanville. Fact: In the first column of '90, it was also predicted predicted that the Eagles would face the Little Britain Merchants in the opening round of the playoffs. It's music to my ears that both predictions were correct. And, if my other predictions come true, I'll remind remind you of them in the future. If they turn out wrong, I'll probably have something else to write about that week anyway. So, the next logical prediction would be to select the winner between the Eagles and the Merchants. And you know, despite their terrible record the past month, I'm picking the Eagles. Following my heart...maybe. But I really believe they have a shot at winning. This season, the Eagles finished with an 18-14-4 record for 40 points, which is a far cry from the 27 wins and 56 points they achieved last year. Their goals against are up by 29, and their goals for downhy a whopping 73. Their top scorers from a year ago, Nick Dennis and Glen Campbell, are off their totals from last year by 35 and 20 points respectively. The only real improvement, stats wise, was the reduction of their penalty minutes by over 500. What does all of that mean? Nothing. Now that the so-called 'second season' is underway, it's a brand new lease on life. The thing I like about the Eagles' chances is the experience they carry into the playoffs with them, as opposed to tnat of Little Britain. The Merchants, with a 9-23-4 record a year ago, didn't make the playoffs. The Eagles have 14 players who were on last year's club. Experience can take a team a long way. The key to the seven-game series will be Bow- manville's ability to shut down Steve Black, who was the league's leading scorer for most of the season. season. And, at the same time, they must get their own top line of Dennis, Campbell and Rob Real scoring. Those four players will, in my opinion, determine the outcome of the series. Other players that I expect to have a big series are: Shane Armstrong, Jeff Rohr and Brad Robinson. Robinson. While all the attention is shifted onto Bowman- ville's top line, those three are going to have to supply supply some much-needed offensive punch. On defence, Dean Baumhauer will see more ice than an Eskimo does all winter. Another key to the series will be the opening game. Although every game is a must-win situation, situation, the first one is very important for the Eagles. They'll be on home ice. And if they lose, games two and three are in Little Britain's bam. How many games? Well the guess here is six. These skaters from the Orono Figure Skating Club lin Colville, Jillian Lemieux, Rebecca Hisson, Adam will be participating in the Pine Ridge Competition in Colville, Melonie Allin, Heather Geboers; Anthea Pea- Cobourg this weekend. The participants include, not cock, Ailan McKenzie, Mary Murphy, Melanie Lein Lein order of appearance in the photo: Michelle Moffat, mieux, Michele Rutherford, Melissa Allin, Melissa Erin Wilson, Taralee Clemens, Michael Murphy, Kait- Colville. Win For Geranium by Trevor Wright On Saturday, February 2, the Geranium Homes hockey hockey club set out to the Newcastle Newcastle arena against T-Mac. T-Mac were gaining on Geranium Geranium for fifth place so Geranium Geranium would have to play well. Geraniums Bryan Hud- gin scored early in the game from Casey Fitzgerald. T- Mac came right back with a goal from Cummer, assisted by Ely. Geranium did not give up as Paul Druniond scored unassisted unassisted to make it 2-1 for Geranium. Bradly St. John scored to make it 3-1 with an assist going to Casey Fitzgerald. With 19 seconds left, Paul Drumond scored his second goal with the assist assist going to Casey Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald. That ended a 4-1 win for Geranium. Congratulations to Casey Fitzgerald who got three assists. assists. Goal tender Scott Sawyer Sawyer helped keep the game close stopping numerous breakaways. Hopefully we can pull off another win against Hutton in two weeks. Eaeles vs. Merchants Preview: Who's The Favourite? by Brad Kelly It came as no surprise that coaches Mike Noonan Noonan of the Eagles and Colin Donaldson of the Merchants had different views on who would win their series. Both sides, however, were claiming a victory in the end. And although the Eagles Eagles came up big in game one, that old saying of 'they won the battle but the war isn't over yet' was the approach Donald son was taking. "We'll be back," he predicted. predicted. . Tonight didn't mean anything." Though that is true, the game did mean something something to the Eagles. With the opening game on \their home ice and games two and three in Little Britain, they didn't want to drop the first one and face the prospects of being being down three games to none before coming back home for game four. "We needed to win the first one, especially with the next two going up there," agreed Noonan. Tonight was a good win for us, but we have to win fourrâmes to advance." Tnere's no doubt that we'll hear from them before before this series is over. They're too good a team to just fold." The series has the makings of a long one, as both teams won three times against each other during their six gàmes in the regular season. The Merchants outscored the Eagles in their head-to- head games by a 33-26 margin, which includes a 10-2 pasting the Eagles took in Little Britain back on December 29. The Eagles did, however, however, manage to finish ahead of the Merchants in the Central standings with an 18-14-4 record for 40 points. Little Britain finished just above the .500, mark with an 18-17- 1 record for 37 points and fifth place. Now that the best of seven series has shifted back to Little Britain, Eagle Eagle captain Glen Campbell Campbell felt the Eagles would have to stay with the same game plan they used in game one. "In their rink they play a tough game. We are going to have to shut down Blackie (Steve Black)." "We're also going to have to play physical which I don't think they like," said Campbell, who was instrumental in giving giving Bowmanville a 1-0 series series lead. The likable captain captain finished the night with a pair of goals and eight points overall. Campbell may very well be right in recognizing recognizing the need to shut down Black who was the league's leading scorer for most of the season. In the opening game of the senes, senes, the Eagles held him to just one assist. Donaldson felt his team would have to get back to thibrand of hockey hockey that Ley played for tne last li games of the regular aeson if they plan on pishing the se- , ries to theimit. ■ "We hVe to control them offeuively. We got a lot of shots tonight (Sunday), lut we have to concentrati on minimizing minimizing theirs." "We leti, them free wheel too ruch tonight, so we're goiig to have to play a mire physical game overallto get back into the serie;." Though la wouldn't predict how j long he thought the siries would go, Donaldsoridid predict that it would] be a long one. \\ . :% "I think it's {oing to be* a long series., And I'll . guarantee you; that it won't be as hijh-scoring as it was tonigh;:" Campbell agreed. „ . "It will projably go five or six garnet It r s noth going to be a cakiwalk for|j us because they have too " good a team." \ When asked npw long he thought theï series, would go, Noonan would only say, "till we Van." Notes: In th< other two playoff serit 3, Uxbridge Uxbridge will play Ajax, while Port Peny and Lakefield will tangle. In the first game of tpat se- ' ries, Lakefield came up, with a 4-2 win i| PorfP Perry. Game one of thé 0 Uxbridge/ Ai ax series was played last night (Tuesday), (Tuesday), in Ajax. No Shortage of Snowballs for This Game! " i ■ ■ ■ .■ -. . . ■■ . • . ■ lUpi * j . . vSl These skaters from the Orono Figure Skating Club participated in the Uxbridge Invitational Meet on January 25-27. From left, Melonie Allin (2nd Preliminary Ladies), Ladies), Anthea Peacock (1st Pre-Preliminary Ladies), Jillian Lemieux (2nd and 3rd Introductory Ladies), Michele Rutherford (3rd Junior Ladies), Adam Colville (1st Pre-Preliminary Men's). Special Olympians in Town by Brad Kelly Smiles were the order of the day as close to 70 skaters skaters participated in the East Central Ontario Region Special Special Olympic Speed Skating Competition at the Bowman ville Recreation Complex last Thursday. It was the second year in a row that the regional meet has been held in Bowmanville. Bowmanville. Competitors from age eight to adult competed in various distance races that ranged from 100m to 1000m. About 12 local athletes athletes participated alongside skaters from Ai ax, Camp- bellford, Belleville and Peterborough. Peterborough. Keith Varley, of Courtice, takes a rest during a Special Olympics speed skating i race held at the Bowmanville Recreation Complex last Thursday. Close to 70 skat- . ers from Ajax, Cnmpbcllford, Belleville and Peterborough competed in the one-day. The competition was a qualifying meet for the Provincial Championships in Wind- 4 ■ V sor. The meet also served as a Qualifying competition for the Provincial Championships Championships in Windsor on March 22-24. From there, winners are eligible to compete at the National Championships in Saskatoon in '92, and ultimately, ultimately, the International Championships in Austria in ys. But placing first isn't the only criteria that committee members of the Special Olympics review when making making up a provincial and national national team. "They have to qualify based on time, attitude, sportsmanship.and effort before before they can go to Windsor," explained Regional Coordinator Coordinator for Central Ontario, Ontario, Jim Cryderman. "We maybe have one or two skaters who could go to Austria here today. But they really weed them out at the Provincials, and they have to do really well to go to the Nationals." After attending various sporting events with some of his athletes from North Courtice Public School, Cryderman Cryderman got involved with the Special Olympics program program as an executive member. member. Five years later, he still attends meets with his athletes. athletes. The competitors these days are students from his developmental challenged class at Courtice Secondary School. "We want the kids to show good sportsmanship and give a good effort. And even though they may not be good skaters, they have the stamina to complete the race." said Ciyderman. "It's good for their selfesteem selfesteem when they are able to complete a race." The meet is designed to be a reflection of the Special Olympic motto It says: Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. attempt. And at last week's competition, those who crossed the finish lino in Inst place received a bigger round of applause from the crowd than those who wore first, "I think n lot of those kids show brnvory nnd lrnvo fun," said Cryderman. "I think what wo intend to do is make it fun for all. Winning is not tho main focus," ! Melanie Lemieux and Adam Colville represented the Orono Figure Skating Club at the Oshawa Invitational Invitational Meet on January 18-20. Melanie placed third in the Juvenile Ladies' Freeskate, while Adam placed second in figures, first in freeskate and first overall in the Preliminary Men's category. Optimist Tykes Emerge With Three More Wins The Optimist Tyke Selects Selects are on a winning streak, emerging victorious in their last three games. On January 20, the Tykes hosted the Peterborough Peterborough Selects and skated to an easy 8-1 win. Scott Maxwell Maxwell led the scoring with two goals and one assist, Nathan Stout, Nat Fair, Tyson Crocker and Brooke Pakosta had one goal and one assist each. Jeff Reynolds and Justin Justin Osborne had a goal each. Tyler Kohn hod one assist. January 27 was a busy day for the Optimist Tykes, beginning with a morning gome against their arch rivals, rivals, Cedar Hill. After two previous meetings, a win for each team, tho boys really wonted tho victory, Again, tho Optimists filled tho net first, on a classic classic three-way passing ploy, with tho goal credited to Jeff Reynolds. Tho assists went to Colo Linfoot and Jonathan Jonathan Ross. Cedar Hill replied replied by slipping the puck past nolmindor Erik Smale to tie tho score. Tho score remained remained tied until late in tho third when Justin .Osborne split the defence and drove home the go-ahead goal. The boys came away with a hard-fought 2-1 win. Later that day, the Tyke Selects and the OCHL Selects Selects were called upon to provide the Sunday night hockey action at the Civic Auditorium, as the Oshawa Generals were out of town. The hard work in the corners corners finally paid off, when Paul Evans, assisted by Sebastian Sebastian Dault, scored midway midway through the first period. The Oshawa boys tied the score after a wild scramble in front of the net. There was 28 seconds remaining when Ben McCaffery ana Cole Linfoot passed the puck forward to assist on the winning winning goals by Jonathan Ross. For tho second time this day, the Optimist lÿke Selects were rewarded with a 2-1 win. These six and seven-year- old boys are enjoying their first taste of competitive hockey, and although they find it hard work, they are having fun nnd learning the skills required to play tho game well. Kevin Hussey, of the Bad Boys' team from Oshawa, was unsuccessful in his divine divine attempt for a pop fly during the Audio Vision Oldtimers' Sno Pitch tournament held at Memorial Park on Saturday. Even without the catch, the Bad Boys managed managed to defeat the Pipefitters by a 22-4 count during an early round robin game: "; Novices in New York; The third game for the Bowmanville team was against a team from Brampton. Brampton. They continued their excellent excellent play despite the fact that they were how out" of contention and won by-, a score of 3-0. Ian Glee son, Eric Dion, and Darryl Steele each scored while M^rk Gunter and Andrew Smale provided two assists each and Ian Gleeson the ottfor. Ryan Ponto and Robbie Ouimet earned the shutout and played well throughout the tournament. ! 1 The team missed the play of Sean Pudlis who was too ill to make the trip. ■ ' I;1 The Bowmanville Sports Shop Minor Novice Toros recently recently travelled to Niagara Falls, New York, to take part in the Friendship Tournament. Tournament. The Sports Shop team played their first game against Garfield, a team from the Cleveland, Ohio area. The game was very close and was more of a defensive defensive contest, with very little scoring. Garfield openéd the scoring in the first period to take a 1-0 lead. Bowmanville did not manage to tie it up until early early in the second period with a goal by Danyl Steele. Ryan Roth provided the assist. assist. The rest of the game was scoreless, with good goalkeeping at both ends of the rink. The Sports Shop second game was even more exciting exciting than the first when they met a team from Amherst, New York which is near Buffalo. Buffalo. Amherst opened the scoring with a goal in the first period but Andrew Smale tied it up after only seven seconds, tan Gleeson and Jay Henderson provided the assists. Andrew Smale scored again in the second period after receiving a pass from Ian Gleeson to put the Sports Shop out in front. Amherst, however, managed to tie the game on a penalty shot after a very questionable questionable call by the referee. They then went ahead on a goal midway through the third period and the sports shop team was unable to tie the game despite some excellent chances late in the game. TIRE SALES INC. 576-1220 KUMHO STEEL BELTED RADIAL 781 ALL SEASON 299 Dtftn Avr, Olh«W> '>0 in j •iVJ "Js TAG 25 % OFF HOCKEY Gloves, Elbow Pads, , ! Shin Pads, Shoulder Pads j 1 and Pants * 25 % OFF Team Sweats and Pants < 50% OFF N.F.L. T-Shirts BOWMANVILLE 4 * SPORTS SHOP 121 KING ST. EAST, BOWMANVILLE 623-0322