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i 8 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, January 24, 1996 SPORTS ©j.p. Brought to you by... Corner of Courtice Rd. and Sales and Servicing Salesperson of the week Harold Michelson Slam Dunked The demise of the oncc-popular Slam Dunk competition that highlighted highlighted all-star weekend in the NBA is a prime example of just how business-oriented sports at the professional level have become. When the idea first surfaced a few years back, the competition among the elite players in the NBA attracted a lot of attention. The event generated interest among the fans, and the media, media, helping to settle the issue of who was the best dunker in the pros. Being selected to compete in the event was considered an honor by the players, who were able to showcase their phenomenal athletic ability to fans not only in attendance at the game, but to the millions of viewers worldwide who tuned in to watch. The event helped elevate all-star weekend in the NBA. to a level that created more interest in the game, as the league began to improve its overall marketing scheme. In recent years, the contest has been a disappointment, with all of the stars bypassing the opportunity to compete. compete. This year, one of lire players who will be in the field of competitors is a backup guard, who rarely secs any playing playing time and has yet to dunk a basketball during a game. So why arc the marquee players in the league refusing to enter? Money. The FAN recently interviewed a writer for the Phoenix Suns, who was describing how the slam dunk competition competition had run its course, and should be eliminated. He noted noted the players had lost interest, and the only way to rekindle rekindle that interest, would be to generate a larger lop prize for the winner. As it stands now, he said, the winner only receives $50,000. Only $50,000? He suggested if the NBA wanted to bring back the excitement excitement the competition generated during its early years, then a major sponsor should be found. If a sponsor, he said, could put up a first prize of $1 million, then the elite players of the league would become interested again, and the competition would return to the event it once was. Yes $1 million. The public perceives today's professional athlete as someone who is obsessed with greed. Money is the first concern, and everything else falls far behind. This docs little to change those opinions. Former NHL'ers Hired to Coach Eagles by Chris Rnurke The Bowmanville Eagles meant what they said when they announced they were making major changes to the hockey club. Those changes became official official last Friday afternoon when they held a press conference conference at Don Cherry's in Osltawa. Head coach Mark Watson was fired, and replaced replaced with cx-NHL'crs Kevin Kevin McClelland and Jim Jack- son. Bowmanville Eagles General Manager, Mike Laing (second from right), welcomes new coach Kevin McClelland to the team during a press conference that was held last Friday afternoon. The Eagles announced Coach Mark Watson will be replaced by McClelland and Jim Jackson, who was unable to attend the announcement. Both coaches spent time as players in the NHL. Also attending the press conference were Assistant General Manager, Dino Azzano (far left), and Assistant Coach, Curtis Hod- gins. Crow's Sports Unbeaten in Nine The Darlington Youth Soccer Club will be holding a Special General Meeting (re: Constitution Approval) on ■ Sunday, February 4th, 1996 7:00 p.m. in the Hampton Half : - All Members Invited - ©j.p. The CMHA Major Atom Toros' regular season unbeaten streak grew to nine games over the Christmas holidays with two wins and a tic. On Dec. 16, the Barrie Flyers dropped in to Darlington for a visit. After taking a 4-0 lead midway through the second period, our Toros relaxed and allowed Barrie Barrie to gain some confidence with a goal late in the period. In the third, the determined Flyers came up with three goals (the latter with :02 to tie the contest). Scoring for the . Toros were Scan Lcfort (Ig), Zach Thoraval (2g), Darren Kelly (Ig). Assists went to Jamie Jamie Bryant, Matt Gross, Garrett Garrett McKnight, Brett McKee and Craig Barraball. On Dec. 22, the Ajax Knights were the Toros' next opponents. Coach Lcfort must have used the previous game's result as a motivational tool, because this was a blowout from start to finish. The Toros went on to win 14-0, with Joey Mallette earning a wcll- deserved shutout. Toro scorers were Darren Kelly (4g), Chris Slurgc (3g-la), Craig Barraball (2g-3a), Brett McKee (2g-2a), Ryan Smith (lg-la), Matt Gross (lg) Rob Campbell (lg-la), Erik Downing (2a), Scan Lcfort (2a), Adam Bowen (2a), Steven Steven Dell (la), Jamie Bryant (la) and Zach Thoraval (la). Jan. 6, the Toros travelled to Belleville for a game at the historic Memorial Arena. After being off for a week, coach Lcfort Lcfort and his staff didn't know what to expect from the boys. The Toros came out flying and didn't look back as they posted a convincing 8-0 victory. Joey Mallette was again in net for the shutout. Scoring for the Toros Toros were Scan Lcfort (3g), Ryan Smith (2g), Darren Kelly (2g), Chris Slurgc (lg-la), Zach Thoraval (3a), Adam Bowen (2a) and Brett McKee, Rob Campbell, Steve Dell and Erik Downing all with one assist each. The Toros also entered the Paul Coffey Tournament during during the Christmas break on Dec. 27 to Dec. 30. In the round robin, the Toros went undefeated, 3-0, and earned a spot in the semi-final. Round robin game scores were Toros 2-Humbcr Valley 1, Toros 4- Goulding Park 0, and Toros 7- Vaughan Panthers 2. These results look the Toros to the semi-final against the North York Penguins. This turned out "to be a light checking checking affair,' with not many scoring scoring chances at cither end. The Penguins took the lead late in the first period and held the Toros off the scoreshcct for the rest of the game. A 1-0 loss seemed hard to take for our boys, but a consolation game was still left. Playing the host Jets from- Mississauga, the Toros played a very disciplined game and went on to a 3-0 victory to claim the bronze medal. Chris Wood canted the shutout and Brett McKee was game MVP. Toros' record after 40 games: 26 Wins - 9 losses - 5 ties. The coaching change came as a surprise to many, Watson had led the Eagles to a winning winning record and a second place standing in their first year of play in the Provincial Jr. A League. General Manager Mike Laing Laing said that die team is hiking hiking a step in the right direction direction with the hiring of McClelland and Jackson. "It is a positive change for the Bowmanville , Eagles hockey club," said Laing. The hardest part was telling Watson of the move. "That was the hardest tiling I've ever had to do in my life because Mark and I arc great friends," he said. "Mark is a tremendous hockey coach, but he wasn't going to be with us next year. He look it well, however. He'll resurface resurface in this league as a very good coach." McClelland is best remembered remembered as a member of four $tanlcy Cup winning teams with the Edmonton Oilers. He was on his way to winning winning his fifth $tanlcy Cup when, in November of the 1989-90 season, he was traded, traded, along with Jimmy Carson (now with the Hartford Whalers), Whalers), and Edmonton's fifth round pick in the 1991 draft, to Detroit for Peter Klima, Joe Muqthy, Adam Graves, and Jeff Sharpies. McClelland also played in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Other stops included included lime in the American Hockey League with die $t. John's Maple Leafs, Rochester Rochester Americans, and Moncton Hawks. Jackson, 1 who was unable to attend the press conference, was a draft pick of the Montreal Montreal Canadiens, but he played for Calgary and Buffalo Buffalo in the NHL, and Rochester in the AHL. The team started looking around at the beginning of December for a new coach, according to Laing. "We had been speaking to Jim (Jackson) for a while to come on as an assistant coach," lie said. "Both of them come highly recommended recommended to us." DUNN'S WINTER SALE in the Oshawa Shopping Centre PAY NO PST - NO GST Men's Leather Coats and Jackets Men's Suits Men's Sport Jackets Men's Outer Wear Men's Casual Slacks Men's Corduroy Slacks ALL PRICE * APPLIES TO ALL SUITS, LEATHER COATS, OUTERWEAR OVER $100, EXCEPT TOP COATS. DUNN'S PAYS THE EQUIVALENT OF BOTH TAXES. DUNN'S Tailors - Oshawa Centre Across from Reitmans ID A SIZE FOR EVERYMAN Ithii WE CARRY SUIT SIZES FROM 34 TO 52 OPEN: Sunday 12:00-5:00 Monday to Friday 10:00 - 9:00 Saturday 9:30 - 6:00 C)1 , Laing was a little worried at how the team would react, but was pleased with the result. result. "We got a very positive reaction reaction from the veterans, but some of the younger players were apprehensive," lie said. McClelland comes to the Eagles with very little coaching coaching experience, but he doesn't feel that will hurt his coaching ability. "I bring 13 years of playing experience to the job," McClelland said. "I played for some great coaches like Glen $athcr and John Muckier Muckier in Edmonton, Jacques Demers in Detroit, and Tom Watt in Toronto." Kevin McClelland won four Stanley Cup rings, while Jim Jackson was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens. McClelland only wants the team to work as hard as they possibly can for him, and lie wanLs to be respected by the players. "The team has to work on defence. Thai's the best way to win a game," lie said. "I just hope I can bring some experience to them. I want to build character in them." Both coaches arc no strangers strangers to this area. They're both from Oshawa, and both live in Courtice. McClelland and Jackson were on the job 48 hours later on $unday night as the team handily beat the Ajax Axemen Axemen 7-3. General Manager Laing also said at the press conference conference dial the team is not being being sold and will "never be leaving Bowmanville." His promise dispelled two rumors that were floating around last week. He also said the team is in the midst of signing a "significant" player. Ex-coach Mark Watson was unavailable for any comment on his dismissal as Eagles coach. T-Mac Travels To Warkworth On Saturday, January 13, T- Mac Insulation Oldtimcrs played in Warkworth Travellers Travellers Annual Tournament. Brooking Transport were our first opposition and after a close opening 10 minutes and several good saves by Danny Wilcox, we finally prevailed and skated away with a 5-1 victory. Brad Godfrey with two, Phil Solomon, Ken Hammond Hammond and Tom Fennel scored for the home side. The second game we played Norwood Oldtimcrs and backed by strong goaltending by their team we were handed a 5-4 loss. Phil Solomon with two, Brad Godfrey and John Allen replied for our side. The final game proved to be a luigh scoring affair as Marmora Marmora Oldtimcrs started with a 2-0 lead lie fore the game was ten minutes old. With the score tied at 3-3, Dan Wilcox made a great save to rob Greg Tcrrion of a sure goal. The Insulators Insulators picked it up a notch from that point and came away with it 7-5 victory. The line of Gerry Snowden (5a), Ken Hammond (lg, 4a) and Phil Solomon (4g, la) sparked the offense with Paul McClusky and Brad Godfrey adding lone markers, Sunday night we hosted McIntosh Chrysler from Oshawa, This was a fast skating skating low scoring game that saw the lead change three times, with the score 4-3 for the visitors visitors and only a minute showing on the clock, Coach Tom Wilson Wilson pulled the goalie for an extra extra attacker. A long shot from the blue line by Wayne Bradley Bradley was lipped by Phil Solomon Solomon to tie the score at four. Phil Solomon scored three and John Veslers once for the T- Mae boys,