cial for the Hawks, who lost to the Raiders in an exhibition game last month. Aquinas host- ed the tournament, while Loyola and Holy Trinity were the venues for games. To have this happen with (Aquinas) organizing and us being one of the hosts, Babic said, to share this together was really special for us. It was also special for the Raiders, who werent expecting to contend for the tourna- ment championship against much larger schools. It was a storybook finish, obviously for Loyola, said Aquinas coach Peter Szpakowski. Im happy for (Babic). If we were going to lose to someone, Im glad it was them. Its a friend- ly rivalry. When we were in our semis, they were cheering for us, and vice versa. Szpakowski felt his undersized club, which dug deep for a 25-23, 25-22 semifinal win over Bishop Ryan, ran out of gas in the final. You factor in 20 sets over two days... these kids are tired, he said. When youre tall and youre tired, thats one thing. But when youre small and youre tired, you lose two inches you really need. Youre not as strong, not as high in the air. Im proud of our team. Twenty-four teams from across the province, and were maybe one of the smallest. Other than winning the tour- nament, what more could we ask? Loyola (AAA) and Aquinas (AA) play in dif- ferent divisions and will not face each other in the Halton playoffs or qualifying for Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations tournaments. Oakville Minor Baseball Association Quality Baseball in Our Community since 1963 Providing Recreational House League, Competitive Select and Rep Programs 2010 Player Registration At Iroquois Ridge Community Centre 1051 Glenashton Drive Saturday February 13 from 10 AM to 4 PM Saturday February 27 from 10 AM to 4 PM Our clubhouse will also be open Saturdays from 10 AM to 1 PM 1236 Speers Road, Unit #4 Or Visit our website at www.baseballoakville.com to register online or download our registration form and mail with payment to 1236 Speers Road, Unit #4, Oakville, Ontario L6L 1X4 Division Birth Year Division Birth Year T-Ball 2004-2005 Peewee 1997-1998 Coach Pitch 2003 Bantam 1995-1996 Rookie Ball 2001-2002 Midget 1992-1994 Mosquito 1999-2000 Junior 1986-1991 For more information please call 847 5545 or email us at info@baseballoakville.com 406 SPEERS RD., OAKVILLE ACROSS FROM RONA LANSING 905-337-2066 w w w. c o b b l e s t o n e m b e rs . c a MASONRY & FIREPLACE DESIGN SPECIALISTS 2 5 W ed n esd ay, Feb ru ary 10, 2010 O A K V ILLE B E A V E R w w w .o a k v ille b e a v e r.co m All-Oakville final was special CATHOLIC CHAMPS: Loyolas senior girls volleyball team won the Ontario Catholic Classic last week. Members of the team are Chelsey Becker, Ashara Cadogan, Ali Garavito, Nicole Garcia, Nicole Helmer, Victoria Jacobs, Marti Killeen, Alex Lincz, Nicole Presutti, Erin Scott, Karla Stasiak, Emily Turner and Paige Vukson. Toni Babic and Deb Woolvett coach the Hawks. MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER n Continued from page 24 Late goal gives Blakelock a draw against girls hockey rival Loyola n By Daniel Perry SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Although there is a substantial gap between them in this years Halton high school girls hockey standings, the Loyola Hawks and T.A. Blakelock Tigers have a heat- ed battle every time they meet. The Hawks surprised everyone in last sea- sons playoff semifinals by knocking off the 8-1-1 Tigers and going on to win the cham- pionship. The rivalry between the Tigers (3- 1-2) and Hawks (6-1-1) continued Monday at Oakville Arena as the teams battled to a 2-2 draw. Weve played them four times now, and its always a one goal game, said Tigers coach Ron Larose. Its always tight and we know that going in. Blakelock started Mondays game domi- nating action as if it was the defending champs. The Tigers held the puck in Loyolas end for most of the first period and smothered Hawks goalie Emily Robinson with shots, but couldnt sneak anything by her. Tigers forward Hailey Cudmore finally changed that near the end of the first. She got to the top of the circle and blasted a per- fectly-placed shot into the upper corner of the net, giving Blakelock a 1-0 lead. Cudmores goal seemed to give her team- mates an additional spark of life. The Tigers continued controlling the remaining two minutes of the first. Loyola came out in the second looking like it was getting sick of being pushed around. The Hawks scored two quick goals by Emily ONeill and Annie Nasato to skate into the third period with a one-goal cush- ion. The intensity continued in the third. The teams traded scoring chances, but both goalies were stopping everything that was put in their direction. Loyola appeared to have sealed the victory by scoring midway through the final frame, but the goal was waved off because of a high stick. A few minutes later, Cudmore parked herself at the top of the Hawks crease and tied the game 2-2 when the puck bounced off her stomach and into the net. It was just a mad scramble in front, said Blakelocks two-goal scorer. Loyola is by far the best team in the league, so this tie was good for us. We lost to them earlier this sea- son because we just werent really at their level. Weve beaten them twice in tourna- ments since, but tying them in league play right before the playoffs is really good for us. Larose added, In this Tier 1 league, with six talented teams, I wouldnt bet money on any game. Every game is competitive.