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I l l www.durhamregion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, FEBRUARY 5,2003 PAGE 11 Clarington's Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1854 Œije Ccwatuau â>tate£man z. V, :X / ! / ' 1, J :. -til- <X\ ■ : ! xà ir¥t / LJ V vÿiâ February 5,2003 &Aeu/& HOCKEY Thurs. Feb. 6, 7:05 pm vs Ottawa "Acklands Grainger Night" Oshawa Civic Auditorium fNgw.THjsl gg Thornton Rd. S, [hockeyJ Info.: 905-728-5163 durhamrepj >com 'We're huge underdogs going into this round': coach Bowmanville Eagles finish seventh, meet second place Trenton Sting in East Conference quarterfinal BY BRAD KELLY Staff Writer BOWMANVILLE - Leaning against a wall outside the Bowmanville Bowmanville Eagles' dressing room, coach Curtis Hodgins wasn't about to sugarcoal his team's playoff chances. "We're huge underdogs going into this round," lie deadpanned about the impending Provincial Junior A Hockey League playoff series with the Trenton Sting. After a 49-gamc regular season schedule, the Eagles embark on the second season Friday night in Trenton Trenton in the. opener of a best-of-seven, Eastern Conference quarterfinal playoff series. Game 2 shifts back to the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex in Bowmanville Sunday night at 6:30 p.m. Trenton will host Game 3 on Monday, while Game 4 is in Bowmanville Bowmanville Wednesday, February 12 at 7:30 p.m. ,ü •• " ' • 1 The series pits the second and seventh seventh place teams in the conference, with more than 20 points separating f the 32-14-2-1 Sting and the 19-24-5- 1 Eagles. While the point differential ; is significant, Hodgins is hoping his <■ team wipes the slate clean and uses ' the past two outings against the Sting ; as means for motivation to pull off an upset. "We just have to play smart and slick to our game plan," he said. "They are a good team and finished" ; in second place for a reason. "We played two pretty good ! games against them in the last 10 ' days and that has given our guys I some confidence." : The Eagles did close the gap bc- ! tween the teams in those final two ' outings. After losing convincingly in ! three consecutive meetings by scores | of 7-4, 7-) and 5-1 earlier in the reg- | ular season, the Eagles posted a 4-1 home ice win Jan. 19, followed by a narrow 3-0 loss in Trenton Jan. 31. The improved play has come at an opportune time heading into the playoffs, shaking off the effects of a seven-game losing streak through late December. While the Christmas swoon did cost the Eagles a chance to finish higher in the standings, the playoffs offer a chance to salvage a mediocre season. "We've played some pretty good hockey the last couple of weeks," Hodgins agreed. "We're still inconsistent inconsistent night in and night out, but it's certainly a lot better than before Christmas." Should the series extend beyond four games, the remaining schedule plays out with Game 5 in Trenton Friday, Feb. 14, Game 6 in Bowmanville Bowmanville Sunday, Feb. 16 and Game 7 back in Trenton Wednesday, Feb. 19. Other first round matchups pit Wellington (47-1-1-0) against Peterborough Peterborough (15-31-1-2), Kingston (31- 13-4-1) against Bancroft (21 -22-3-3) and Cobourg (27-18-3-1) against Lindsay (26-17-3-3). Port Hope, which finished ninth in the East Conference, also qualifies for the playoffs, and will shift to either either the North or South Conference to become the eighth-seeded team in those quarterfinals. • THE SCOOP - Nick'Slavey Jtad the goal in a 4-1 home ice loss to Wellington Sunday. In a 7-1 loss to Cobourg Monday night, the Eagles used six players from the midget AAA Toros to help rest some nagging nagging injuries. Matt Carroll had the lone goal on a setup from Derek McGrath...Cha-ching: McGrath...Cha-ching: There are sonic wealthy Eagles fans walking the streets after the Mr. Sub Shoot-to- Win contest yielded four winners this season, each collecting $100. ay i MAX Members receive a * FREE 8" Apple Pie v : - \J f 888 0/24 oz - Regular Retail Value $3.49) \f w//// a minimum $30 purchase \ Limit cl one pic per family per visit. Not to bo used with ■ U any other oiler. Gilt Certiticato purchases excluded. Otter available while quantities last. Oiler expires February 14.2003. IF YOU'RE NOT A MAX MEMBER.., SI6NUP TODAY! il» T IT'S FREE AND EASY! *2*-^*^ Skinless, Seasoned Boneless Chicken Breasts Individually Hash frozen, our low fat and wholesome chicken breasts are ready to u> ^XjL. <,&■ ^ >k< x , UiOit \ ' 7% f \ toss on the grill, slice up • ... \ fora V 1 for a stir try or take \ %vi centre stage in an oven \/ ^ casserole. Fillets removed. n 8-12 PORTIONS Limit 2 Per Customer \ See our ad In FRIDAY'S paper for more SPECIALS BOWMANVILLE 133 King st. e. 697-1202 OSHAWA 1347 King St. E. at Townline 571-7701 11 Taunton Rd. W. at Slrncoe 434-4633 WHITBY 3800 Crock St.. N. (Bosldo Devilled 668*3439 1001 Dundoi St. E. (Kondalwood Plaza) 436*3066 www.mmmeatshops.com (Pi Kr Sale prices^ > in effect ^ p. until Friday ^ February 14. 2003. Akl ANDREW IWANOWSKI/ Statesman photo Bowmanville Eagles' goaltendcr Rick Miller and defenceman Tyler Brown (3) react to a shot by Wellington's Ryan Woodward during Sunday's Provincial Junior A Hockey League game. The shot went in, as Wellington rolled to a 6-1 win. The Eagles open playoffs Friday in Trenton, with Game 2 Sunday in Bowmanville. 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Applkilik taw and 145 prowling I* dm at tine ol punhate, 16 e<|ual monthly payment!, fmanted amount duo January 1,1006 - itktted wood S laminate purtliatei tawed amounl due January 2004. United tern otter, Cintom onkn requin minimum 25% dryout See note lor detail».