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PAGE 14THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, FEBRUARY 19,2003 QTfjc Cmmbtmt Statesman www.durhamrcgion.com Clarington's Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1854 infodurhamregiGii.com Early exit result of inexperience Eagles eliminated by Trenton in East Conference quarterfinal BY BRAD KELLY Staff Writer BOWMANVILLE - The Bow- manville Eagles are optimistic a negative negative aspect that worked against them this season will turn.into a positive for the 2003-2004 campaign. In a word, they're talking about experience. experience. For the most part, the Eagles lacked it this season, but with 21 of the 23 players players on the current roster eligible to_ return, return, experience is considered to be an asset when the Provincial Junior A Hockey League team convenes again in the fall. Coach Curtis Hodgins didn't hesitate to put experience at the top of the list when reviewing what the Eagles lacked in their 4-1 first-round playoff series loss to the Trenton Sting, which came to an end following a 5-2 setback last Friday. Friday. Curtis Hodgins: 'We just couldn't put 60 minutes together.' "We just couldn't put.60 minutes together," together," he said Sunday night as year- end meetings were being held with players. "We knew we didn't have much coming back this season and were leery that we wouldn't get many wins. We decided decided to go as young as we could, and knew some teams like Trenton and . Wellington would be loading up. "We tried to develop the players and this whole team has come a long way. It may not have shown in the standings, but we are set up nicely for next year. We have the nucleus of a club that can win next year." Only forward Nick Stacey and goal- tender Daryl Bouchard will be lost to graduation, leaving the club optimistic that a couple of key additions will round out the roster nicely. Specifically, adding some firepower on offence and a big, mobile defenceman top the wish list. "We're looking to add some goal scoring and toughness on defence," said general manager Perry Bowles, who looked back on the season as a success. "I'm pleased with the way the club grew from September to the last game against Trenton." Hodgins agreed another goal scorer would be a nice addition to the stable. "We didn't have enough offence. We just couldn't score enough. We would get a lot of shots and chances, but we couldn't finish." With most of the roster intact for next season, the only other question concerns the coaching staff. That deci sion was made easy when Hodgins expressed expressed an interest in returning. "Curtis is a huge part of our organization. organization. When he said he was willing to come back, that's all we needed to hear. We want a coach as capable as Curtis and his support staff," said Bowles. Next season will mark the third in a row behind the bench for Hodgins, who took over the head coaching role with the Eagles after spending a c.ouple of seasons as an assistant with the Oshawa Generals. "I'm definitely looking forward to coming back. We have the nucleus of a good club coming back and kids who want to be a part of the program." THE SCOOP - Bowmanville's season season ended Friday in Trenton with a 5-2 loss to the Sting in Game 5 of the East Conference quarterfinal. Brent Small and Nick Stacey had second period power-play goals in a game the Eagles trailed 4-0 after the opening period...The semifinals will match Wellington against Lindsay, while Trenton Trenton and Kingston will square off. Trying his hand at handicapping, Hodgins feels that Wellington and Kingston will advance advance to the East Conference finals. Courtice SS off to LOSSA hockey semis DURHAM - And then there were four. Courtice Secondary School secured the final semifinal spot in the LOSSA AAA boys' hockey playoffs with a 3-2 win over Ajax High School Monday, joining Pickering's St. Mary and Dunbarton Dunbarton and Ajax's Pickering High School in the final four. Courtice opens a best-of-threc series against Pickering today (Wednesday) at 2:30 p.m. at the Garnet Rickard Recreation Recreation Complex, with Game 2 scheduled for next Monday in Ajax and, if necessary, necessary, Game 3 back in Bowmanville next Wednesday. After finishing atop the East division with a 5-2-1 record during the regular season, Courtice eliminated Pine Ridge with a 10-5 win in the first round and then swept a two-game, total-goal quarterfinal quarterfinal against Ajax 5-2 and 3-2. St. Mary and Dunbarton meet in the other semifinal. The LOSSA champ will compete at the OFSAA AAA provincial championships in Peterborough Peterborough March 19-22. 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