24 Sports Oakville Beaver www.aplushomes.ca Adam Campbell 905-844-4444 I N D E P E N D E N T LY O W N E D A N D O P E R AT E D Broker of Record B R O K E R A G E SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2010 No first-round creampuff for Blades this time n .830 winning percentage in the Ontario Junior A Hockey League just doesn't get you what it used to. In years gone by, the Oakville Blades' 46-9-1 record would have drawn them a creampuff opponent in the first round of the playoffs, often resulting in a four-game sweep that had about as much parity and suspense as a CanadaSlovakia clash in women's hockey. But not anymore. Thanks to the league's realignment last summer, only the top eight squads in the 15-team loop qualify for postseason play. That means the Blades, who finished second in the standings, are taking on the 32-18-6 Going downhill fast SPECIAL MEET: Ten-year-old local resident Peter Jalonen whizzes around a gate during last weekend's Special Olympics Ontario alpine ski competition at Glen Eden Ski and Snowboard Centre near Milton. Jalonen and his brother, David, both won their events, as did Oakville's Duncan Rouse. Top performers at last weekend's meet qualified to compete in next year's Provincial Winter Games in Thunder Bay. GRAHAM PAINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER A Aurora Tigers in the opening round, a series that began yesterday (Tuesday) at Joshua's Creek Arenas and continues tonight (Wednesday) in Aurora. "In the past, first-round opponents (of elite teams) have usually been sub.500 teams or teams that made the playoffs because of the courtesy of the playoff format," said Blades head coach Jason Nobili. "Those days are long gone." Despite finishing seventh in the standings, these Tigers have claws. Aurora boasts the second- and thirdhighest scorers in the league this season in David Morley (42 goals, 62 assists) and Lucas VanNatter (39 goals, 57 assists). Aurora, which has shown improvement since changing coaches midway through the year, won seven of its final nine regular-season games. The Blades, league champions two years ago and finalists last season, See Third page 27 Open Registra on for New and Returning Members February 27 9 a.m. 12 p.m. Oakville Town Hall South Atrium 1225 Trafalgar Road *New members will require proof of birth Registra on is open only on February 27. It will reopen star ng March 8 at the Oakville Soccer Club. 1520 Pine Glen Road (Dundas and Third Line) 9:30 a.m. 10:00 p.m., Monday - Sunday. For more informa on, please visit our website at www.oakvillesoccer.ca