The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

v www.durhamregion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, JANUARY 7,2004 PAGE 7 Elle Canadian Statesman Clarington's Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1854 January 7,2004 infqdurhamr8giGn.com Lots of bark from Oke v. JASON LIEBREGTS/Statesman photo Kyle Martiniuk (6) of the Bowmanviile Eagles tries to block Cobourg Cougars' Cory Thickson from getting to the puck as teammate Kyle Branson races past. The Eagles won 6-3. Rugged forward described as a 'terrific warrior' BY BRAD KELLY Sports Editor ... BOWMÂNVILLE - It has been a season in which players have seemingly seemingly fallen from the trees and landed in ' the laps of the.Bowmanviile Eagles. Fittingly, perhaps, that one of those players carries the last, name Oke. "He's been invaluable; a terrific warrior," said coach Curtis Hodgins of his prized power forward, Jeff Oke, who is just one in a long line of new additions to the club this year. While the hockey club has been fortunate fortunate to assemble such notables as Kyle Martiniuk, Colin Baker, David Smith and. Joel Whitmarsh, not to mention a strong cast of rookies, Oke definitely follows the long line of gems. A former 12th round draft pick of the Oshawa Generals; the 6-foot-3, 196-pound forward continues to make a favourable impression with each outing. outing. ' "He's a big, strong power forward, and.players like him who can play the game are hard to find," added Hodgins. Oke wasn't hard to find in the most recent win by the Eagles, a 6-3 doubling doubling of the Cobourg Cougars on home ice Sunday. He had one of the six power-play goals for the Eagles, and chipped in two assists as well. But his contributions don't always make it to the scoresheet, coming in . more subtle ways. "I try to get room on the ice for the other players," said Oke of his best attribute. attribute. Those oilier players on most nights include linemates Malt Caruana and Peter Neal, who have been given the .time and space to create some magic, leading the team in scoring, Caruana with 49 points and Neal 44. "I get them some space so they can do what they're supposed to do," said the Grade 12 student at Bowmanviile" High School. . Oke has come a long way, considering considering way back home in Grand' Bend, there, isn't even an arena.-The tiny southwestern town is known more as a summer retreat, not a hockey town, considering considering the population rises dramatically from 1,000 to "around 10,000 in the summer" Oke estimated. estimated. But. relocating wasn't wasn't much of an issue for the 17-year-old after playing in a Jr. D league in North Middlesex last season.. "It was a little awkward at first because because I didn't know anyone. But the team had a get-together in the first week and everything has been fine." Sunday's win over'Cobourg, coupled coupled with a 5-2 decision in Syracuse Friday, improved the Eagles to 25-8-2- 4 on the season," as they prepare to host the Bancroft Hawks tonight (Wednesday) (Wednesday) at 7:30 p.m. After opening the season with a 7-5 setback to Bancroft, the Eagles have reeled off three successive wins in the Jeff Oke battle of the birds, outscoring the Hawks 24-5 during that stretch. Playing on home ice is also a decided decided advantage for the Eagles, who have won 10 in a row at the Garnet B Rickard Recreation Complex. They haven't lost on home ice since dropping dropping a 4-3 decision to last place Peterborough Peterborough on Oct. 26. "I don't think we will be complacent," complacent," said Hodgins of facing Bancroft. "They'll be hungry and fired up for us. They are battling four or five other teams lor a playoff spot, so each game is huge for a team like that." Oke concurs. "We've lost to the last place team, so we know that if wè don't come to play, we can get beat." THE SCOOP - The Eagles can find a number of different ways to win, and Sunday against Cobourg it was via the power play, scoring on six of 11 ■ chances. Trailing 2-1 after the first period, period, the Eagles scored four unanswered unanswered with the man advantage to take control of the game. Matt Caruana popped a pair, with others coming from Colin Baker, Justin Caruana and Andrew Johnston. James Neal chipped in three assists, Brad Dormiedy two...Mike McKenzie (son of TSN's Bob) was obtained in a cash deal with the Oshawa Legionaires. Chris Wood was traded to the Pickering Pickering Panthers for future considerations, while goalie Chris Foxwell remains out of hockey. Teams have inquired about obtaining his services, but general general ■ manager Perry Bowles said Foxwell is considering playing college hockey instead of junior. Newcastle golden at Silver Stick NOW GET Prove Beeton can be beaten in final game WASAGA BEACH - The Newcastle Chaps Eye- wear Stars won the Silver Stick Regional Bantam Championship in Wasaga Beach, edging the Beeton Sting 6-4 in the final. The opener had Newcastle Newcastle against the undefeated Arthur Vipers. The buzz at the arena had Arthur favoured to win it all, but Newcastle's nine skaters and . two terrific goalies dug deep and came up with an amazing amazing 6-0 victory, capturing all five points in the penalty-free game. The second game of the day was against the hometown hometown team, Wasaga Beach Stars. Wasaga won this championship last year, but Newcastle shut them down this time, winning 9-3 in another another well-played game, again taking all five points. The. third game put Newcastle Newcastle against rival Beaverton • Blades. One week earlier in league play, the teams tied 4- 4. Both teams entered the game tied with 10 points; with a berth in the final at stake. Newcastle came out victorious 6-1, finishing the round robin with 14 points. In the championship game, Newcastle were a tired bunch, playing their second game of day with only an hour rest and still sporting a very short bench. But again, Newcastle were able to rise to the challenge, capturing the Silver Stick Regional Championship against the Beeton Sting 6-4. Newcastle will be competing competing in the Silver Stick Championships in Forest this weekend. $2000 FINANCE CREDIT ON SELECT 2003 MODELS The Newcastle Stars are off to the Silver Stick Championship in Forest this weekend. Travel Toros come out on winning side CLARINGTON - In recent recent minor atom Lakeshore League play, the Bowmanviile Bowmanviile Travel A Toros experienced experienced four wins, a tie and a loss. In Trenton, the boys played to a 3-3 tic, but then managed to earn three consecutive consecutive victories over Cobourg (8-3), Ajax (7-1) and Pickering (3-1). In a physically challenging game against Belleville, the Toros could score only a lone goal, losing 3-1. Back at home, in an extremely close match against Port Perry, the team managed to pull out a 4-3 victory. Dylan Werheid and Cameron Poole, sharing the goaltending duties, have continued to put forth strong, consistent performances performances in net. Collecting goals and assists during this stretch of six games were Timmy Howe (4-3), Josh Cordcry (4-6), Scott Good- child (1-3), Devin Kraayen- hof (8-2), Graham Snoek (1-2), Stephen Marchant (2- I), Zachary Jones (1-4), Tanner Miles (2-1), Byron Kemp (1-1) and Mitchell Hamilton (two goals). Also garnering assists for the team were Jordan Rozerna (3), Jeremy Zavitz (2), Conner Conner Smith (4), Jacob Cole (1) and Ryan Lombard (I). IF YOU'RE WAITING TILL THE LAST MINUTE, THIS IS IT. OUR REMAINING 2003s ARE PRICED TO MOVE... BUT NOT FOR LONG. s lf«|wtyw, th# wheel», and die rsad fee up teifuMdsy. W NT he IE tit h N» àmrt wl ll Ml m m OR itt* mi Ue Ne H he M Mu Ih |wr dee. t> n* M h kti •» I* «• . Witt, R*n |« H NT ■ »* * e" 1 hj Wh MIW OR *i* f* Art*, * W (Kiettua " 1 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER Canada* | 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE $1,500 "4 s ton ■l www J rinsftee Credit CAM KNXAU reel I PURCHASE FINANCING UP TO 60 MONTHS 1 ON VIRTUALLY ALL 2003 MODELS $1,500 01 © *2,000 ■* www " Finance Credit' J 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM $5,350"i woo 111» T 2003 CHEVROLET VEHTURE . <6,MO*® *2,mi -- or -- >6,500! tax Included on vlrtuill} sll 2001 model» $4,600 6 ® who ■ ywww -y Flnance Crod |f CAMnncHAtirm l . 1 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA Your Ontario Chovrolut ond Ponboc Denlura could Bond you on n Magical Gothcnnyi • vocation lor eight, Because when family and Inonda gnümr together something magical Imppono. Ecpocinlly it it'u ot the Welt Dieney World Hoaort in Floncln. IS TRIPS III S II 11 *6N.' WIT* INI PlltHAH IR UAH IF A tRlIRHU VINHAI IA PIMIIAt MIRIAM. $6,500'"4 '2,000 f .T.T i Finance Credit t»»H rwHiit hum | J; Ab to Disney artwork/propertles: ©Disney, ANo purchase nocessary, Con tool otion to roslden s of Ontario and Quebec 18 and older at the" lime ol entry. Conies closes November 2ti, 2003. For y contest rules, visit www.lamllyvanconlenl.gmcanada.com. or visit a participating dealer. For Hat ol participating dealers ceH 1-800-GM-DRIVE. Applies only to 2003/2004 Montana, Venturo and Sllhouot o vehicles VNot all vehicles are eligible, Vehicle availability varloa by donkirahlp. Limited time olfor, Mual bo at least 21 years ol age, have a valid Canadian driver's licence awl be a qualified buyer. Vehicle Insurance and usaoe restrictions apply, See www.gmcanada.com or your dealer lor complete lorma and conditions. Otto, ™îe» only toveK deNverod 5, or betoro Oecom'bor 2,2003. ENChJng Cod iliac XLR, Cor voile, Chevrolet SSR, Hummer, H2, Medium Duty Trucks, SAAB 0-3 Convertible. 'Credit Inclusive ol applicable taxes and wlH be applied to relevant cash purchase price at dealership, t$2,000 financei credit ['elusive ol applicable laxei andwIU be applied against relevant purchase price at dealership. Oiler applies only to 2003 Cavalier. Sunliro, Grand Am. Aloro, Venture, Montana. Siihouotte. JO"* purchase financing approved QMAC credit only. Down payment and/or trade may bo required. Monthly payment iand <cos borrowing will vary depending on amount borrowed and down pnymonlArndo^Exnnipto: $10,000 at f APR, " " the monthly payment Is $100.07 lor 00 months. Cost ol borrowing Is $0. Total obligation Is $10.000. Discounts or other Incentives may bo available whore consumers opt lor a cash pujchaM prlcti oaer. uy ■ selecting the puichaso financing ottor, consumers may bo lorogoing such discounts or other incentives which may result In ti higher oltectivo interest rale ol up to 14 e ». A f (V Oilers apply ns Indicated to 2003 now or demonstrator models. Olftits apply to qualillod retail customers In [ho Ontario Chevrolet • Oldsmobilo and Pontiac • Bulck • CMC Dealer Marketing Association areas only (including Outnousls and excluding Northwestern Ontario). Dealers ore froo lo sot Individual prices, Llmllod quantities ol 2003 . models available. Dealer Inido may bo necessary. Limited tune oilers which may not be combined wild other oilers and Is oub|ecl to change without notice. Cor lain exceptions apply. Bee your dearer conditions and details. ! . Winners of 47 editorial awards for excellence in 2003! MITRÔLAND DURHAM REGION MEDIA GROUP M M1TROL WvA • lC, nu tu, m ^t.iirsm.ih • M \\s \D\ I RIM R • £imrs-3Joimt ( U * durhamregion.com