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> f Sports ■ ŒJ)t Canabian Statesman ♦ durhamregion.com Brian McNair Stan the man just keeps on winning You really can't keep a good man down, particularly if his name is Stan Marchut. It's a heartening story that Marchut is coaching period, let alone now working working toward the next milestone. Despite suffering a stroke in April, Marchut was right back where he belonged when the Durham College women's volleyball team started its season in September: on the sidelines with his coaching hat on. And, to the surprise of no one, the Lords are winning at their usual impressive impressive rate, enough to push Marchut past the unprecedented 300-win màrk last week, in this his 22nd year at the college. college. Those who know Marchut also wouldn't be surprised to hear he has handled the news with a degree of modesty that verges on annoying. "It's mostly due to. longevity," he says, apparently ignoring the fact his career winning percentage is well above .700. "We've been very fortunate fortunate over the years that we've had some good players. We've recruited a lot." Since it's impossible to get Marchut to credit himself, we'll let Ken Babcock Babcock speak on his behalf: "It's a remarkable accomplishment," says Babcock, the athletic director at DC/UOIT. "He's brought the program into national prominence." If not for Babcock, in fact, Marchut admits he wouldn't even know about the milestones or the number of awards he's garnered. The Dean of OCAA women's volleyball, volleyball, as Marchut is know, has led the team into playoffs every year but one of the past 20 and into the provincial championships 14 consecutive years. He has won OCAA coach" of the year honours seven times and led the team to the CCAA nationals four times. . In 2001, Marchut became the first active coach in the college's history to be inducted' into its sports hall of fame. A retired Eastdale Collegiate teacher, teacher, Marchut was considering stepping away from the courts three years ago to spend more time with wifè Beryl and their two sons. He decided instead that there was plenty of time to continue doing the things he loves: golf in the summer, coach in the winter and spend time year-round with family. "That passed," he said of the urge to retire. "I really like golf and I really like-volleyball. As long as I can do both, I'll be happy." That was in some question last year, when he missed a few games in January January for a heart operation and, two months later, suffered a minor stroke. Marchut has worked hard to get his speech back up to speed and credits assistant coach Shane Christopher for doing all the 'heavy work' with the college team. But overall his recovery has gone very well. "I just do the thinking," he says of his roll with the team this year. Don't be surprised if he thinks his way to another coach of the year award. Bailey Bowmanville resident named to Team Ontario U17 hockey team BY SHAWN CAYLEY Staff Writer OSHAWA - Christmas break will take place in Saskatchewan for two Oshawa Generals and an Owen Sound Attack forward; Generals 15-year-old rookie sensation John Tavares and. surprise rookie Dale Mitchell will-join Bowmanville's Josh Bailey of the Attack and 19 others on the 2006 Team Ontario U17 squad which will compete at the World U17 Hockey Challenge in Saskatchewan from Dec. 28 to Jan. 4. "It's an honour for sure," said Bailey who has 5-9-14 totals in 22 games with the Attack so far this season. "It's nice to be able to represent and be recognized as one of the elite players in the province." province." With Tavares and Mitchell, one was an expected shoe- in for the squad, while the other was' not even invited to the team's orientation camp back in August. Tavares, deemed 'an exceptional player' by the Ontario Hockey League, despite a recent slump, has been turning heads with the Generals since his first game and is expected to be a huge contributor to Ontario's hopes for a gold medal "This was one of my goals coming into the season," Tavares said after, a press conference on Tuesday-at the Civic Auditorium in the Bobby On- Lounge to announce the roster. "To make this team, and to be àn important important part df this team is nice. Hopefully Hopefully it will lead to us having a successful successful tournament." The Generals' third leading scorer with 16-9-25 numbers will be expected to carry the load up front, while Mitchell hopes to help in the same manner. "I'm not someone who can really dangle with the puck, but if I work hard and keeping doing what I have been doing lately (with the Generals) then I should be able to pot a few goals," he said. Being named to the team is a huge accomplishment Josh Bailey, a member of the Owen Sound Attack, has been named to the Ontario Ontario U17 team that will compete at the World Hockey Challenge in Saskatchewan Saskatchewan over the Christmas holidays. Jason Liebregts/ Metroland Durham Region Media Group See BAILEY page B3 Bickell OHL player of the week Orono resident records eight points in three games to win honour OTTAWA - Bryan Bickell is starting to show that the Chicago Blackhawks knew what they were doing in selecting selecting him in the second round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. The Orono resident was named the OHL Player of the Week after scoring scoring five goals and adding three assists ' in three games, helping his Ottawa Ottawa 67's to a 2-1- 0-0 mark. Ottawa is currently currently in third place in the Eastern Division with 22 points, just four points behind the second second place Kingston Kingston Frontenacs. Bickell had a goal and two assists and was named the first star of the game in an 8-4 win over the Belleville Bulls on Friday night. Saturday in Guelph, he also had. two goals and an assist in a 5-3 win over the Western Conference leading Guelph Storm. On Sunday, he contributed contributed a goal and an assist in a 6-4 loss in Owen Sound. The 19-year-old currently is third on the 67's in scoring with 14 goals and 11 assists for 25 points in 24 games. He was Ottawa's second round choice, 36th overall, in the 2002 OHL •draft.-" -- Bryan Bickell Eagles like what they have as season passes midway point BY BRAD KELLY Sports Editor BOWMANVILLE - It's just past the midway point of the hockey season, and already ^hat one word that can make or break a team's entire season is starting to creep into the quotes of team officials. Playoffs. With 25 games down and 24 more to go, Bowmanville Eagles general man ager Perry Bowles is starting , to think about the post-season in February, as any good hockey man in his position would. While he is happy with the way things are going, and why wouldn't he be of a team with a 20-4-1-0 record that holds down first place in the East. Conference of the Provincial Junior A Hockey League, he knows that a team is judged on its playoff success. The time for evaluations is now, not in January, and any tinkering with the roster has to be considered even at this stage, so as not to get caught flat footed once the regular season ends and the playoffs open. "By our record, yes I am happy with the way things are going," said Bowles after watching his club split a pair of weekend game, losing in Wellington to the Dukes 6-4, while blanking the Lindsay Lindsay Muskies 3-0 on home ice Sunday. "We are still making mistakes that in a close game in the playoffs it could be the difference between winning and losing, and I know it's something our coaching staff is working hard to correct." While the systems the team'employs are being refined and perfected, the other part of the equation that'needs to be addressed is personnel; More specifically/do specifically/do the Eagles have the right players players in place to make a long playoff run? Currently, they are without a backup Ron Pietroniro/Metroland Durham Region Media Group Paul Michael Rivcst of the Bowmanville Eagles tries to protect the puck from Mike Dalhuisen (18) of the Lindsay Muskies dring first period action of Sunday's game in Bowmanville. Bryan Scott was in goal for the shutout in a 3-0 victory for the Eagles. goalie, and a timetable, for obtaining one is unknown. One thing is for certain, it won't be Max Desjardins filling that role. The 20-year-old, who was sent home by the hockey club earlier this season, has been traded to the'Fort Erie Meteors of the Golden Horseshoe Jr. B league in a cash transaction. Bowles noted there was only "mild" interest from other Tier II teams in obtaining the rights to Desjardins. Desjardins. "We are working diligently at obtaining obtaining a backup goalie," said Bowles. "The timetable is that I would like to have one today, but we are Having a hard time picking somebody up." As for the forwards and defence, Bowles likes the makeup of the club, both on the ice and off. "We have a good team and good chemistry. chemistry. Because our league is so competitive, competitive, everyone is looking for the same things and there is not a lot out there," he said of the difficulties of adding an ' impact player. "We aren't prepared to sell the farm in order to get just somewhat better. We want to keep the core of players we have heading into the playoffs." This week is a busy one, with three games in four days, beginning Thursday Thursday in Kingston, Friday in Lindsay and home to Kingston on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. THE SCOOP - The Eagles will be. without forward Dan Nicholls for the next couple of weeks due to a fractured jaw suffered "in an Oct. 29 game in Peterborough. Also on the injury front, • Mike Kavanagh left Sunday's game against Lindsay after being slashed. His status for the weekend was unknown at press time,..Bryan Scott had to make just 16 saves against Lindsay in posting posting his second shutout of the season, All three goals came on the power play, with Brent Small, Brad Dormiedy and Jake Garland doing the damage...In the loss to Wellington, Paul Michacl- Rivest, Kyle Goodchild, Jeff Oke and Matt Baxter had goals. WE RE RENOVATING fp 60000 JSagg&Sfe». SERVE YOU BETTER FIVE STAR