Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2007 39 DEREK WOOLLAM / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER TOP GUNS: Pictured left to right, captain Chris Corbeil, defenceman Chris Haltigin and forward Julian Cimadamore are three of the returning players expected to provide leadership for a younger Oakville Blades team this season. Work ethic crucial for new-look Blades squad By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR The Oakville Blades admit they might not have as much collective talent this year as they've had in the recent past. But, players are quick to add, that doesn't rule out another strong Oakville showing in the Provincial Junior A Hockey League's West Conference. "We're capable of doing well in the playoffs, winning the West and going to the Royal Bank Cup," said Blades' newly-named captain Chris Corbeil, "but we're a team that has to show up every night. We can't just get by on talent alone, but we have enough talent that if we work hard, we should do well." It will be a different-looking Oakville squad that will open the regular season tonight against the Hamilton Red Wings (7:30 start at Joshua Creek Arenas, formerly Twin Rinks). One major contrast to teams from the past few years is the club's local content, as a dozen players reside in the town. Blades head coach Carlo Coccimiglio, tak- Niagara Falls Junior B Canucks. ing over from the departed Don Edwards, said Cimadamore, who joined the Blades last having more Oakville players on the team week after trying out with the OHL's Ottawa was a definite priority. 67's and Kitchener Rangers, will be teamed "It's important for building junior hockey with Moodie and McParland on the team's and getting the fans back into it. They'll real- top forward line. ly like this hockey club," he "I think we have a pretty said. "Still, at the end of the "We can't just get balanced team. Four strong day, whether (players) are from by on talent alone, lines, I think," Cimadamore Mississauga or Oakville, they but we have enough said. "But our line definitely had to be good enough to make talent that if we needs to put points on the this hockey club." board." work hard, we Mainstay returnees from Sparks and newcomer last year's team, which went should do well." Jeremy Welsh will also be 38-9-1-1 in regular-season play looked to for offense, before losing to Hamilton in Chris Corbeil Coccimiglio said. The coach the West Conference final, are added a potential wild card is Nick McParland, Trevor Eckenswiller, Kellan Lain, who played high school hockey Domenic Monardo, Julian Cimadamore, for the T.A. Blakelock Tigers last season. Chris Haltigin and Matt Hoyle. Corbeil "He's made big strides in the short period returns to Oakville this season after being of time he's been with us," Coccimiglio said of dealt to the Brampton Capitals last winter, Lain. "I look for big things from him." while local resident Luke Moodie also rejoins Defensively, Haltigin and Eckenswiller the Blades following a season with the will play increased roles this year as the Blades attempt to fill the holes left by departed veterans, particularly stud blueliner Cody Goloubef. Haltigin, who arrived to training camp in great shape, is ready for the challenge. "I'm one more year older this year," said the 19-year-old, who recorded 26 points in 42 games last season. "I hope to play a more key role on special teams, show up at the rink every day, and be a leader. That's the main thing." Eckenswiller will quarterback the team's powerplay, while Luke Turcotte has been brought in from Streetsville to provide a physical presence on the back end. He'll do so in front of the goaltending tandem of Hoyle and Scott Greenham, a 20-year-old who played the past two seasons with the Ottawa Jr. Senators. Greenham was acquired to replace Kori Coelho, who is trying to latch on with the OHL's Barrie Colts. "I believe we need two good goalies, and See Extra page 41 Olympian in action Soccer team in tough Ruggers impressive Oakville residents will have the rare opportunity to watch local native Adam van Koeverden in live action tomorrow, when the 25-year-old competes in the Mazda Canoe/Kayak Knockout '07 sprint competition at Ontario Place. Van Koeverden won kayaking singles gold and bronze at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Greece, and claimed his first-ever world championships gold earlier this summer. The canoe/kayak competition will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude around 4 p.m., at Marilyn Bell Park in the Ontario Place Harbour Area. The kayaking finals are slated for approximately 2 p.m. The Canadian women's soccer team, featuring Oakville's Kara Lang and Diana Matheson, almost certainly needs a win tomorrow to keep its hopes alive of advancing to the playoff round at the FIFA World Cup in China. Canada will take on Ghana in Group C action tomorrow at 4:45 a.m. eastern, a contest that will be shown live on CBC. CBC will air the game again at noon. Canada is 0-1 after a 2-1 loss to fourth-ranked Norway in the World Cup opener Wednesday. The Canadians held a 1-0 lead at halftime but could not hold on. Canada's final preliminary-round game is slated for Sept. 19 versus Australia, another 4:45 a.m. eastern start. Canada's men's rugby team hopes for a similar showing in its next Rugby World Cup 2007 outing, but a different result. The team, which includes local resident Sean-Michael Stephen, turned heads in its opening game. Canada held a 17-9 advantage through 60 minutes against a strong Welsh squad, but then surrendered 33 unanswered points in a 4217 loss. Canada will take on Fiji Sunday in France, likely needing a win to have any chance of advancing to the knockout stages for the first time since 1991. Sunday's game will be televised on Rogers Sportsnet, beginning at 7:30 a.m. eastern.