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8 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, March 16,1994 x :x\- =: : : : :v ■ lïlïx': : -'ï : : v x-'xxx : ; x y :;!v: V K :. . Brought to you by... e ' " Corner of Courtice Rd. and Hwy. 2 Sales and Servicing 436-2222 Jim Reid VICTORY! Dramatic Comeback Captures League le by Brad Kelly Is it possible for a good hockey club to beat another good hockey club three times in a row to close out a league championship series? Players from the Bowmanville Eagles would answer that with a resounding resounding - YES. Down three games to one to the Port Perry MoJacks, Bowmanville rallied with three straight victories, including a 7-3 win in game seven on Sunday night, to clinch their second second straight Central League championship. championship. The last time Bowmanville won back-to-back league championships was during the 1983-84 and 1984- 85 campaigns. Bowmanville now advances to the All-Ontario quarter-finals, where the team will meet the Na- panee Raiders, -champions of the Eastern League. On the brink of elimination since game five of this series, Bowman- ville managed to ptill off the unthinkable. unthinkable. They escaped with a 3-2 overtime win on home ice last Thursday. Then, in game six on Saturday Saturday night in Port Perry, they forced a seventh and deciding game with a narrow 4-3 victory. Sunday night at the Recreation Complex, in front of a vocal crowd estimated at just over 1,300, Bowmanville Bowmanville played the best game of the series, holding period leads of 1- 0 after the first, and 5-1 after two. "We hadn't played our best game of the series, and tonight we just finally played our game," said coach Mark Watson. The key to Sunday's victory, said Watson, was that Bowmanville was able to capitalize on the chances. They cashed in on their first opportunity opportunity seven minutes into the game while on the power play. Brad Robinson moved in from the blueline blueline and let a slapshot go that caromed caromed off the post and went in behind behind Port Peny goaltender Rich Hutchinson. Three goals in a span of just over two minutes early in the second period period lifted Bowmanville to the championship. Curtis Hodgins began the flurry with a soft backhand shot from in close that beat Hutchinson. Gary Armstrong then re-directed a pass from Jeremie Pate only 31 seconds later for a 3-0 lead. Robinson, with his second of the night, stretched the lead to 4-0 when he was sent in alone. "We wanted to get the first couple of goals because it seemed ■we were always having to fight back in this series. It was nice to get a lead and carry it on from there." said Robinson. Armstrong, with his second of the night, and Steve Laird for Port Perry exchanged goals late in the second period for a 5-1 Bowmanville Bowmanville lead. Pete Young's goal 2:25 into the third period gave Bowmanville a 6- 1 lead, and the celebrations began. Goals by Todd Smart and Shannon Shannon Todd brought Port Perry to within three, but Geoff Fleming's empty net goal with 37 seconds left ended the game 7-3. "The biggest thing is our guys never gave up and didn't stop believing believing in themselves," said Watson of the dramatic comeback. He also credited the goaltending of both Barry Crawford and Drew Campbell as being one of the deciding factors. Crawford played brilliantly Saturday Saturday in Port Perry, while Campbell was equally impressive in game seven seven on Sunday. "If it wasn't for our two goal- tenders, the series would have been different. If not for them, we wouldn't have won this series," claimed Watson. As for the back-to-back league championships, veteran forward Todd Cannings placed this one ahead of last year's. "This one was more exciting because because we were down and it was more of a challenge for us,' ' he said. THE SCOOP -• In addition to his goal, Curtis Hodgins picked up a pair of assists. Todd Cannings also had two helpers...Sunday's 50/50 draw was worth just under $800, and was won by a Bowmanville resident. resident. TO THE VICTORS - Jeff Flintoff circles the ice with the Cougar Trophy, which was awarded to! the Bowmanville Eagles after their 7-3 victory over the Port Perry MoJacks in the seventh and deciding- game of their league championship series played on Sunday night at the Recreation Complex. Bowman^ ville trailed in the series three games to one, but three straight wins staked them to their second straight league title. They will now face Napanee in the All-Ontario quarter-finals. "The biggest thing is ouv guys never gave up and didn't stop believing in themselves." -Mark Watson, coach 1. Location, more convenient for you for servicing. 2. Support local business (who in turn support local sports teams, charities, community projects, etc., 3. 4. Highest Trade-in values. 5. 6. Good selection in stock, as well as computer access to dealers' stock province-wide. 7. Small town personalized service, you're a name, not a number. 8. Local people stake their reputation and future success on your satisfaction. 9. Top quality, low mileage, local trade-ins. 10 r Mtrk i *r c> A\/ik» JL /nr zif nm '.7 E3 PONTIAC -- BUICK LTD. BOWMANVILLE -- ONT. Buy the cars your neighbours help to build 1 166 King St. E. Telephone 623-3396 25th hmrnmj IM'LWj "Every year it gets better and better. I had a dream about (winning) last night -- holding that trophy up above my head and giving it a big smooch." -Jeff Flintoff, defenceman "Last year we got a taste of it, ! ' and this year we're going all the way." -Drew Campbell, goaltender "It was the guys out there working. They earned it and I feel great for them." -Nick Dennis, asst, coach "We just don't want to win the league, we want to go all the way. So we're looking forward to the next series." -Brad Robinson, captain "We know it's not over yet and there is another scries ahead of us." -Todd Cannings, forward "I knew the kids had a lot of heart. As soon as they realized this scries was going to be a challenge instead of something they were going to win automatically, they went out and did it." • -Mike Laing, manager TWICE IN A ROW - Captain Brad Robinson accepted the Central Central League championship trophy from convener Andy McLauchliri following Sunday night's win. It was the first time that Bowmanville has won back-to-back league titles since the early 1980's. Brad and Gary Armstrong led the Bowmanville offence with a pair of goals each, as close to 1,300 spectators crammed the Recreation Complex to watch the game. j League Champs Collide Bowmanville and Napanee in Quarter-Finals A couple of familiar foes will renew acquaintances in this year's All-Ontario Jr. C quarter- year's series will be different. Napanee needed six games to; final round. "Some of the people here eliminate Campbellford. The Bowmanville Eagles, by from last year," began Watson, Though Napanee finished in' virtue of their second straight "said they weren't really first place in the regular season! Central League title, will face the prepared to go on after they won with a 24-9-3 record, the team Napanee Raiders, who are the the league championship. That became even stronger when the : defending Ontario champions. was one thing when I was in playoffs opened. A year ago, the same teams Dundas that we pushed for. Their top scorer, Chad | met in the quarter-finals, with "We wanted to win the league Rarslow, returned to the team in i Napanee winning in four straight so we could go on and play in time for the playoffs after being i games. the All-Ontàrlo round, so we out of the lineup since Christmas ! Napanee then advanced to were always prepared to go on with an ankle injury, the semi-finals against Dundas. and did fairly well," As celebrations surrounded ! The coach of the Dundas team, Napanee captured their Watson on Sunday night, his j ironically enough, was Mark second straight Eastern League thoughts were already turning! Watson, who .landed In title on Sunday night with a 5-4 towards the series with Napanee. I Bowmanville this year. overtime win against Erriestown. "We just don't want to win the ! Though Bowmanville were Napanee won the series In four league, we want to go all the! overmatched against Napanee straight games. way. So we're looking fprward to; last year, Watson vowed that this In the league semi-finals, the next series." ;