The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Maple Leaf Judo Members Throw Their Way to Medallions The Maple Leaf Judo Club recently had some outstanding outstanding results in competitions held in Whitby and Rochester. The three juveniles in the back row all won gold medals in their categories in Rochester, while the six juniors in the front row won three golds, a silver, a bronze and one fourth place at a competition in Whitby. Whitby. Winners include, front row, (1-r), Ian Lockhart, Trevor Baker, Adam Welch, Doug Webster, Brian Neilson, Jonathon Waller. Back row, (1-r), John Waller (sensie), Mark Besslich, Heidi Besslich, Eric Aida. The Puck Stops Here by Brad Kelly bigger story. and a burning desire to play opposing players, who ge Behind every goalie's Behind the mask, the well are not uncommon the last laugh. Behind every goalie's mask, there usually lies a story. In the case of one of the goal tenders for the . BRHL Selects, there lies an even Behind the mask, the puck-stopper is like no other goalie in the. Bantam Select tournament held at the Recreation Recreation Complex this past weekend. Cat-like reflexes well are not uncommon among those who toil between between the pipes for their respective respective teams. But remove the mask, and the story begins to unfold. unfold. Sarah Couch has broken the barrier that once existed for girls who wanted to suit up and play on the same rink as the guys. Not only did she break the barrier, she has been a smash hit since strapping on the pads 10 years ago. Nevertheless, as more and more girls suit up with the boys, barriers still remain. remain. Even for someone who played as long and as well as Couch. "In other arenas, they don't realize that our team has a girl on it and I need a separate dressing room," said the 16-year-old as she describes the problems that still exist. "Usually they find a Bathroom or whatever is available for me to change in." And, though accepted by many, (and rightfully so) there still remains the odd insult'thrown her way by opposing opposing players. "I try to be confident, but when a guy puts me down, I try to prove that I'm not a wimpy girl," she says of her strategy. "I try to play a good game, ana show them that I can play." "Some are nice, but the odd one will laugh or put the team down. It's come to the point where it doesn't bother me any more." The day may soon come when it will be Couch, not Sarah Couch readies herself for another stop during the 'B' Chnmpionsmp game of the BRHL Bantam Select tournament held over the weekend at the Recreation Complex. The 16-year-old notmindcr is hoping to land a full scholarship scholarship in the United States and a spot on Canada's National Women's team in the future. thé lastlaugh. It's within her grasp to land a full scholarship for women's hockey at an American American university once she completes her studies at Bowmanville High School. A university recruiter, from somewhere near New Hampshire, she believes, made a trip to see her play last year. And, a goaltending video made by Ian Young that is due out in the fall, used her to demonstrate some of the drills. That type of exposure could prove invaluable. "Right now I want to play with the boys for a couple more years, then get a scholarship scholarship or a try-out with the national team,"'she said. "The New Hampshire scout last year videotaped me in a game, and I sent him my stats for the past five years. He told me he'd be the first to scout me, but probably not'the last." "He felt that I would probably get lots of offers." Coucn got her start in goal when she signed up with the BRHL ten years ago. In only her second game, she took a turn in net and has been firmly entrenched entrenched there ever since. Along with her duties as a puck-stopper for the Bantam Bantam Selects, she is also a member of the United County girls' bantam team that will be competing in the Provincial Championships in Mississauga from April 12-14. Throughout her career, there have been many who have offered advice, but the one constant coach who has remained with her has been Dan Wilcox. And she was quick to credit him with some of her success. "Before Dan, I had the basics. But he extended my skills by making me faster and helped me a lot by just being there and being a friend," recalled Couch who remembers trying to emulate emulate the styles of Billy Smith and Mike Palmateer when she first started. And, since the day she first started, there have always always been girls in other centres centres who approach her and ask about playing hockey. "I was at a tournament and a girl walked up to me in the bathroom and asked how she could get into hock-, ey." "Girls' hockey isn't promoted promoted as much, so she didn't know where to sign up or even if there was a team." For girls who possess the ability of Couch, there will be plenty more teams to play on in the future. Regardless of gender. SPORT THOUGHTS The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, April 3,1991 7 BRHL Bantam Selects Host Weekend Tourney Winter holidays this year consisted of a trip down memory lane last week. There were no costs involved, and those trips seem to be the best ones to go on sometimes. My travels really weren't down a lane at all. Rather, Rather, it was a staircase at the house of Paul Robinson that led to his basement. There, through memorabilia proudly displayed on his wall, our trip began to take shape. There must have been eight or ten pictures of Bow- manville Eagle teams that he had coached over his illustrious illustrious career. Each one was framed, and each carried carried a story. Some carry fonder memories than others. We had just finished an informal meeting regarding regarding the Ontario Hockey Federation Provincial Championships. Championships. As cohorts on the organizing committee, there were a few loose ends we had to tie up as the event drew nearer. Anyhow, as we brought our little get-together to a close, we began to discuss how supportive Bowmanville Bowmanville hockey fans used to be. For trivia buffs, the last time the Eagles won a provincial title was ten years ago, in 1980-81. That was when Paul was at the helm. Our discussion led to some of the players that used to be on the team, and we ended up in his basement viewing the pictures. It used to be an exciting time for me as a kid when dad would offer to take me over to the old Bowmanville Bowmanville arena to catch the Junior C playoffs. Coming from Newcastle into Bowmanville was like a big trip into the city back then. To a kid from Newcastle, Bowmanville was like the next biggest thing to Toronto. Bowmanville had a pizza pizza place, their own cinemas and various other attractions attractions that area kids could brag about. In Newcastle, we had a set of stoplights. That is no big deal, but it was more than a kid from Newtonville or Orono could brag about. Crowds that used to pile into the old barn on Queen Street always had me in awe. Parking always seemed to be a problem on Sunday nights, if memory serves me right. Which probably explains why many of the fans could be seen high-tailing it down/ King Street on a cold winter's night on their way to the game. It was quite a sight to see the long line-up of fans as the car made its way over the hill on Temperance Street down towards the old rink. That was then. Fans in Bowmanville have the same opportunity to show their loyalty when the Midget 'A' Provincials come to town April 12-14. A lot of work has gone into the event by the organizing committee, in hopes of making this the best championship ever. On paper, we have everything going our way. As hosts, the Toros have qualified. We have the Recreation Recreation Complex to showcase, the two finals will be broadcast on Rogers Cable, and we have a dedicated bunch of workers on the organizing committee. The only aspect of the tournament that we can't control is fan support. But, based on the way fans in Bowmanville have supported their teams over the years, filling the rink should be the least of our problems. 401 Oilers Start Road to Playoffs goals in the second, while 1er winger Greg Patterson by Robbie MacCheyne The 401 Esso Oilers of the BRHL played three playoff games this past week. We won two of the games and tied v the other. All of the atom teams in the BRHL have been playing excellent excellent hockey and this has made the playoffs exciting and interesting. On Tuesday, March 26, we played the T-Mac atoms and won by a score of 7-1. Oiler forwards Ryan Winning Winning and Brian Tamblyn scored first period goals. Ryan slapped in two more goals in th< Oile got one. We were in complete complete control of this game. Ryan got his fourth goal in the third period ana Oiler centre Jason Frayne completed completed our scoring. We couldn't get a shutout as T- Mac defenceman Guy Tou- signant scored in the last minute. On Thursday, March 28, we played the Geranium Homes' atoms and defeated them 3-2. This game was very tight. Geranium goalie Danny Katsikis played strongly and kept his team in the game. Oiler centre Ryan Winning got the first goal near the end of the first period. Geranium defence- man Bradley St. John got that one back right away. Before the period ended, Greg Patterson put the Oilers Oilers back on top, finishing a from Brian Tamblyn Jeff Carter. Ryan Winning Winning got his second goal during during the second period. Geranium Geranium winger Teddy Fitzgerald made the game Bowmanville United Soccer Club REGISTRATION Sat., April 6th Sat., April 13th Sat., April 20th at the Bowmanville Mall 10 a.m. to 5:00 P.m. For additional information Please call 623-5439 or 623-1204 (Penalty for late registration) close with a goal in the third period. We hung on, with a lot of help from goalie Brandon Brandon Renton. On Saturday, March 30, we needed a goal in the last minute to tie the Family Trust Atoms 1-1. We were lucky to tie the game as the Tigers outplayed us throughout the game. Their hustle and their checking kept the puck in our end for most of the game. Both goalies, goalies, Ryan McRoberts for Family Trust and Oilers' Brandon Renton, were excellent. excellent. The game went scoreless scoreless down to the last six minutes when Greg Hoy scored for the Tigers. We pulled out goalie in the last minute and Jason Frayne scored on a screen shot with 27 seconds remaining. Coach's Corner: Mr. Carter says that our last game against Family Trust shows the Oilers have a good defence and great goaltending. goaltending. He is also pleased with the teamwork of Greg Patterson, Jason Frayne and Brian Tamblyn. They can make the difference for our success. Liberty Finishes In First On Saturday, March 30, Liberty Mutual played a strong game against Young Drivers to finish the regular season in first place. Action was end-to-end in the first period, with plenty of scoring scoring chances tor each team. Both goaltenders were strong, though, and the period period ended in a scoreless tie. The excitement continued into the second period, and, at the 13:35 mark, Liberty Mutual centre Tim Swan broke through the defence and went in alone to score. Ben Plowright made some g "cat saves to keep Young rivers off the scoreboard, and with 1:44 remaining in the second, defenceman Steve De Graaf took the puck off the boards and put it in the net, with the assist to Matt Dovera. The third period began with Liberty Mutual ahead 2-0. Our boys didn't lot up, and took a three-goal lead when defenceman Michael Harper picked up the puck at centre ico and took it in to score, assisted by Ryan Davis. Davis. With only 2:02 on the clock, Young Drivers got on the scoreboard to make the final score 3-1 for Liberty Mutual. Bowmanville Select captain Matt Yeo accepts the 'B' Championship trophy from BRHL president Mike Rate after his team's 8-5 win in the finals over Oakwood. The Selects reached the finals after compiling a 2-1 record in round robin play during the two-day tournament held at the Recreation Complex on Friday and Saturday. The BRHL Bantam Select hockey tournament held an opening face-off Friday Friday just prior to the game between Bowmanville and Cedar Hill. Taking part were (from left) Mike Rate (BRHL President), Christopher Kennett, Joe Ken- nett (Asst, to Program Manager for Town of Newcastle Community Services Department), Wayne Gauthier (sponsor from Canadian Tire), A1 Warr (tournament (tournament chairman). Preparing to take the draw are (left) Derek Achue from Cedar Hill and Matt Yeo from Bowmanville. Pltch-ln 328 RITSON RD. N., OSHAWA 725-4744 if busy call 725-2831 WHOI.LSAl.i: X m-. I AII. DURHAM REGION'S WOOD SPECIALISTS IN Herd wood ft softwood lumber dry Wins ft dressing facilities including custom made trim; hardwood ft marine plywoods as well as a complete stock of building materials. Quality Baseball Gloves at COMPETITIVE PRICES SPALDING WILSON FRANKLIN RAWLINGS LOUISVILLE F703201 Pro SB135 F703101 Mini A2941 OSIA9750 A2904 XL Pro 440 XL Pro 770 C100XL RBG 128B RBG 60 G125-CM LPS35S -Reg. Price 34.95 99.95 34.95 12.95 ■ 84.95 79.95 56.95 89.95 124.95 24.95 76.95 149.95 69.95 Sale Price 28.49 79.95 25.95 9.95 64.95 59.95 39.95 64.95 99.95 14.95 59.95 129.95 54.95 MITRE BALL CLEATS Reg. Sale Price Other In-Store SPECIALS! Men's 39.95 pr. Ladies' 37.95 pr. Youth 34.95 pr. 33.95 pr. 32.25 pr 29.95 pr*K^ BOWMANVILLE Ï I ^ DunmAn SPORTS SHofi Sale Ends May 4th/91 121 King St. E., Bowmanville 623-0322