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A The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, February 2,1994 9 By Brad Kellv Reunion Game Will Unite Bowmanville Whiz Kids Outside of the Hockey Hall of Fame, there aren't a lot of places that former hockey players can visit to re-live the glory years of their playing days. As time marches on, those you grew up with and spent countless winters winters with as teammates on hockey teams, often move on and all contact is lost. For those who do keep tabs on one another, rarely does a conversation conversation go by without recounting the good ol* days. Well, many of this area's top players of the 1960's and '70's, and fans from that era as well, can re-live some of those good ol' days on Saturday, Saturday, February 19. In recognition of the 25th Anniversary of Jr. C hockey in Bowmanville, Bowmanville, this year's edition of the Eagles have invited the original members of the 1968 Bowmanville Whiz Kids back for an exhibition game against the Ajax Spartans team of 1968. The game will be played at the Bowmanville Recreation Complex, with the faceoff slated for 4:00 p.m. And after many of the players have renewed acquaintances -- or hostilities hostilities - on the ice, a dance will follow for all to rehash some of their fondest memories. It promises to be quite a celebration of history. "Everyone I have called has been really gung-ho with the idea," said John Oyler, who has been the catalyst behind assembling the original Whiz Kids team from 1968 on which he played. "Some guys haven't been on skates in 20 years, but were willing to play," he said. The idea was so popular among players from both teams, that alumni will be making arrangements from as far away as British Columbia to wear the sweaters of their former junior hockey clubs just one more time. Many will recall the likes of Sandy Brown, Dave Rafuse, Mike Dono- ghue, Don Forsey, Gary Wilson, Bob Howes, Joe Hircock, Rick Wool- ner, Doug Taylor, Larry Devitt, Kim Rogers, and Harvey Williams, all of whom played for the 1968 Whiz Kids. Others from the team who will be in attendance include Doug Hayes, Dave Wright and Steve West. Ray Preston, who coached the team, will join the players on the ice, while managér Don McGregor and trainer Ron Alward will work the bench for Bowmanville. Even some of the local businesses who played a part in financing the team back in 1968 have agreed to contribute to next Saturday's game. Roy Nichols Motors, Van Belle Garden Centre, and Grandview Catering have stepped forward to help defray some of the costs. Also, a package from the Quebec Nordiques is expected to arrive, which will contain a few items for a draw. Dayco Products, who bought out the original sponsor of the team, has agreed to be the Whiz Kids' official game sponsor. It was 25 years ago that most of the above-mentioned players answered answered an invitation that was extended to all players from midget age, up to juniors, to attend a try-out session. The previous season, the St. Marys Redmen Juvenile team won an Ontario championship, so organizers of the Jr. C team were optimistic about the talent tire area had to offer. R.M. Hollingshead Ltd., a well-known manufacturer of Whiz car care products, agreed to sponsor the team, which would play in the Suburban Jr. C league against Georgetown, Thornhill, Milton, Newmarket, Richmond Richmond Hill, Lindsay, Oakville, Streetsville and Ajax. Over their 36-game regular season, the Whiz Kids finished in fourth place with a respectable 17-15-4 record. They entered the opening round of playoffs with a best-of-five series against Oakville, who had finished eight points back of Bowmanville in eighth spot. Despite being the favorites to advance, Bowmanville were upset in three straight games by scores of 5-3,7-3, and 74. One of the biggest rivalries of that inaugural season was against Ajax, as players had faced one another on opposing teams throughout much of their minor hockey days. The animosity between the two towns spilled over onto the ice when the teams clashed in Junior hockey. Don't be surprised if next Saturday's game is a spirited affair. Some of the competitiveness from 25 years ago still lingers. Three Goal Game for En-Pro Players The En-Pro Associates have been playing inspired hockey with a shortened shortened bench due to injuries. The Major Pecwce Toros have had a streak of eight straight wins in league play. Chris McKenzie Stephen's Sporting Goods Hunting, Fishing & Supplies PÇi -W I ! 11. r.TTT , T ■ ■ FEATURING MITCHELL RODS, REELS and ACCESSORIES if aim 30% OFF ^ All Tackle Boxes 50% OFF RODS In stock Mitchell Spinning or Splncast Rods Reg. $13.95 - $49.99 Reg. $24.95 - $12.48 Mitchell Sweatshirts Crew Neck, Green Size S, M, L, XL, XXL Reg. $27.95 SALE 50L $ 13.97 80 King St. W. Bowmanville 697-2546 Juveniles Take First Game of Playoffs by Brad Kelly In coach Bob Luxton's estimation, estimation, his St. Marys Cement Juveniles were outworked in every facet of the opening round game of their OMHA quarter-final series against Barrie. The one area where Bowmanville did emerge as the better team was in the most important aspect of the hockey game. On the scoreboard. Bowmanville scored three times during a 10-minute overtime period to escape with a 7-5 victory in game one of this best-of-seven series. Despite taking the lead in the series, series, Luxton was dismayed at the uncharacteristically. uncharacteristically. poor play of his team. "That was one of the worst games I've ever seen this team play," he began. "I think it's the last time you will see them play that way. From here on, it will be a different different story." His short tirade didn't stop there. "The only reason we won is because because we have a few talented hockey hockey players," he continued. "Our desire desire level was poor, our positional play was poor, and our work ethic was poor. Everything the coaching staff asked (the players) to do wasn't done. "We were lucky to win. That's the bottom line. We were lucky." Indeed, Bowmanville was quite fortunate in this one, after finishing regulation time tied at 4-4. They appeared to have the game won midway through the overtime period when J.P. Tousignant cut in front of the net and beat the Barrie goaltender with a shot to the top corner, corner, giving Bowmanville a 54 lead. But only 29 seconds later, Barrie tied the score after beating Bowmanville Bowmanville goaltender Chad Puk. The exciting conclusion came with 1:54 remaining, as Craig Forsey Forsey slid a loose puck under a sprawling sprawling goalie to restore Bowmanville's one-goal advantage. Defenceman Ron Luxton secured the 7-5 victory when his shot from the other side of centre ice found the empty net with only 34 seconds left Bowmanville, who reached the OMHA finals a year ago, finished the regular season tied for second place in the Southern Division of the York-Simcoe League with a mark of 14-7-2. In their only previous meeting this year against Barrie at a Silver Stick tournament in Mooretown, Bowmanville jumped out to a 7-0 lead, cn route to an 84 victory. That lopsided win may have been fresh in their memories during Saturday's Saturday's game. If'bo, coach Luxton would like to see it erased for the remainder remainder of the series. "Barrie is going to work hard and not give up," he began. "We are a far better hockey club, but we have to go out and work. We're not going to have (the series) given to us, and that's what we expected tonight" tonight" Bowmanville looked to be headed headed for a repeat of their earlier convincing convincing defeat of Barrie, jumping out to a quick 2-0 lead in a span of 17 seconds in the opening period. Chris Forsey's wrist shot from the point, followed by Andrew Allaire's Allaire's shot from the 1 slot staked Bowmanville to the early lead. After Barrie had tied the game in the second, Forsey tallied his second of the night on a slapshot from the point to regain Bowmanville's lead at 3-2. But a pair of power play goals -- one late in the second period, and the other with 4:17 left in the third - -- lifted Barrie into a 4-3 lead. With Bowmanville frantically trying to tie the game and send it into overtime, Trevor Rogers pounced on a rebound and scored into the open side of the net with only 1:48 remaining in regulation time. Game two of the series shifts to Barrie on Saturday night, with game three at the Darlington Sports Centre Centre on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. ; The winner will advance to the semi-finals, where they will meet the survivor of a series between Newmarket and Markham. Players from the Bowmanville Toro Juveniles celebrate this overtime goal by Craig Forsey on Saturday Saturday night. The goal helped the local club to a 7-5 victory in the first game of their best-of-seven quarterfinal quarterfinal series against Barrie. The teams were tied 44 at the end of regulation time, but three goals in a 10- minute overtime span lifted Bowmanville to the win. Game two of the series is in Barrie on Saturday, while game three returns to the Darlington Sports Centre on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. Double B Tournament Victory For Novice Select Ice Hawks The Novice Select Ice Hawks won a Double B tournament in Pickering. With a total team effort, they allowed allowed just one goal in three games, to win the tournament. They were led by goalies Joey Mallette and Andrew Rahme. - In the opening game, Matt Allen led the attack with two goals and two assists. Dave Brown also had two goals and an assist. Jason Buckley got the other goal, with two assists going to Jason Lepine and single assists going going to Ryan Smith, Trevor Cowan and David Brown. In the second game, they defeated Markham 4-0. Adam Wilks, Jason Lepine, Lepine, Matt Allen and Chris McDaniels got the goals. Assists went to Marc Bonin, Jason Lepine, Matt Allen, Chris McDaniels, David Brown, Adam Wilks and Garrett Dodds. In the final, the Ice Hawks out- hustled the host Pickering Panthers 3- 1. David Brown led the attack with two goals, with Chris McDaniels getting getting the other. Jason Lepine. Adam Wilks and Matt Allen received assists. Other players playing big parts in the win and not mentioned above were Erik Downing, Steve Dell, Cory Bums and Justin Roussy. The month of October saw them win only one, with five losses. But the month of November saw their play at all levels improve immensely, giving them 12 wins, three losses and four tics. The past week also saw two players getting hat-tricks. Dan MacDonald got his three goals in the Newmarket game, and Chris McKenzie, playing with a lot of determination, determination, got his in the Richmond Hill game. Congratulations, gentlemen! With playoffs just around the corner, corner, the coaching staff arc pleased to sec that the defensive game is playing quite well, keeping their goals against down to three or less a game. But now, it is time to get a little more production production out of the offence. Special mention to Colin MacDonald, MacDonald, Ryan Bcavcridge, Matt Akcy, Nathan Nathan Osborne, Craig Sabine, Steve Ewlcs, Robbie Appleby and Brock Baker, all of whom got points last week. Nice work. Joel Osborne was pleased to get his cast off and should be back skating with the team in a couple of weeks. v ; ' V. //Afc. ^ ^ :v Lots of Great ... 'P"' FA % In-Store 50 /V OFF Specials Sale ends Saturday, February 12th Selected Diamond Rings and Pay No Taxes! Cath 78 King St. W. y's G< 623-1933 )ld Bowmanville J