28 Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2007 NORTH AMERICAN SHOWDOWN: Andrew BuxtonForman prepares to pass the ball to a teammate during the Canadian under-21 men's rugby team's exhibition contest against the United States Collegiate All-Americans Wednesday at Crusader Field. Buxton-Forman and Will Simpson, both Oakville Trafalgar High School graduates and members of the Oakville Crusaders premier men's team, enjoyed the opportunity to represent Canada on their hometown field. The U.S. squad, however, downed the Canadians 43-33 in a back-andforth contest. LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER Buzz draws familiar foe in opening round Oakville, Halton Hills open junior B lacrosse playoffs tonight By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR U21 Canadians' rally falls just short By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Andrew Buxton-Forman and Will Simpson had competed many times at Crusader Field, but Wednesday night the stakes were a little higher. In addition to representing their club, the two rugby players were battling for national pride as members of the Canadian under-21 team. "It was quite a rush," said Simpson. "The energy from the crowd was incredible. Unfortunately, we didn't use that early on." With a crowd of more than 400 looking on, the Canadian squad looked totally outclassed early as it fell behind the U.S. Collegiate All-Americans 31-3 in the first half of Wednesday's game. However, as if a switch had been flipped, the Canadian squad turned things around. Another Crusader, Burlington's Andrew Wilson, scored a try shortly after lighting into his teammates over poor tackling. That kicked off a run of 30 straight points, capped by Luke Cudmore's try after Buxton- Forman tipped the ball to him deep in the American end, that would give Canada the lead with 10 minutes remaining. The American squad, though, would score two late tries -- the last coming after an apparent game-tying try by Canada was overruled by the officials -- to record a 4333 victory in the first of a two-game series between the teams. "We let them slip through too many tackles. They're strong and big up the middle." Simpson said. "Once we start As a team that initially hoped to simply make the playoffs, the Oakville Buzz has set its sights much higher for postseason play. A 14-4-2 regular season, such as the Buzz concluded Tuesday, will do that. Oakville will begin the Ontario Lacrosse Association junior B playoffs tonight at Glen Abbey Recreation Centre (an 8 p.m. start), facing the division rival Halton Hills Bulldogs in the opening round. The matchup of fourth and fifth seeds in the Eastern Conference won't be an easy one, as the Bulldogs posted a 14-6 "Sunday's (comemark of their own, but the Buzz from-behind win) likes its chances after shoring up its was the big one. play down the stretch. It sets a good "Sunday's game was the big one," tone for the said Oakville head coach Stu Brown, referring to the Buzz's come-from- playoff series." behind 8-6 overtime win over Buzz head coach Halton Hills last weekend at Glen Stu Brown Abbey. "It sets a good tone for the playoff series. They've got a really good team, but we're coming around. And, after Sunday, (our players) know they can play in a pressure situation and come back from four goals down against a good team to get a win." That victory, followed by a 5-3 triumph over the Barrie Tornado in Tuesday's regular-season finale, enabled the Buzz to enter the playoffs with a bit of momentum. Oakville, which was 9-0-1 at the season's midpoint, struggled at times in the second half, with injuries and a tougher schedule contributing to a 3-4-1 eight-game stretch. "We're a young team," pointed out Braden Gallant, who led the Buzz in scoring this season with 74 points. "We had some breakdowns that young teams normally have, and we played some better teams and just got caught off guard a little bit. We should be fine for the playoffs, though, because we know who we're up against." That they do. The Buzz and Bulldogs met four times in regular-season play, including twice last weekend (the Bulldogs won the first game of the home-and-home series, 75 Saturday in Georgetown), and Oakville won three of those games. "I think it will go five games, probably," said Buzz defender Kevin Harper, who feels his team might be able to exploit the emotions of Halton Hills netminder Manny Hundal. "Once we get a couple goals on him, he starts to break down, See Apparent page 30 See Buzz page 29 Join Us For Golf Special This Season! SHOW YOUR AT PATRIOTISM THIS CANADA DAY LONG WEEKEND 2007 Wear something RED bring in this ad, buy a regular price Green Fee and we will give you a $12.00 voucher good for Food & Beverage, Pro Shop or apply to the rental of a power cart. 905-336-3660 Offer valid Friday 11:30 am to 5:15 pm, Sat., Sun. & Mon. before 6:30 am or between 11:00 to 5:15 pm. One voucher per person to be used on date of purchase. Not valid in conjection with any other promotion or special green fee rates.