Editor: Norm Nelson Phone: 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: nnelson@haltonsearch.com W m N K S D A Y . A P K I L 2 . 2 ( X O · |> c |g < ' D l SPORTS fro p nX"us s s Tyke Rangers win championship and Canada in Oakville this weekend Maplegrove Arena, safe to say, has probably never hosted such a huge event as this weekend's Canada Cup and provincial championship trampoline and tumbling meet. Gymnastics Ontario has declared this the largest trampoline and tumbling meet in North America. Hosted by the Oakville Gymnastics Club, it runs Friday through Sunday. It is expected to attract more than 300 of Canada's top athletes as well as 200 athletes from the United States. The number of clubs include 42 from Ontario, 30 from the U.S.. seven from Quebec, five from Alberta and four from British Columbia. The excitement of watching these skilled athletes tly through the air will mesmerize young and old. The program includes power tum bling. trampoline, double mini trampo line and synchronized trampoline. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for students and seniors. The Oakville Gymnastics Club, in cooperation with Gymnastics Ontario, Gymnastics Canada and the Town of Oakville, is running the event. This prestigious event will be man aged by meet director Cathy Brasil and her dedicated team of club volunteers. The Oakville Gymnastics Club is a not-for-profit organization with a rich 28-year history of providing quality gymnastic programs in the community. The club's recreation program runs seven days a week with 3.000 young , gymnastic enthusiasts. The competitive program has 110 participants. "We appreciate the assistance of the town of Oakville, our major sponsor Winning Colors and our many loyal local sponsors for their support," said club general manager Wayne Hussey. ``These proud corporate citizens understand that the youth of our com munity greatly benefit by participating in gymnastic activities." For further info on the competition, call 905-847-7747. When the going gets tough, the Oakville Rangers tyke west hockey team gets going. After absorbing a tough opening overtime loss to the Burlington Eagles, the Rangers fought back with back-toback victories to win the best-of-three, tri-county champi onship series. Here's the recap: (Burlington 5, Oakville 4 OT - game one) If the hometown Rangers had any questions about whether Burlington would come to play, they were erased in the first five minutes, as the Eagles stormed the Oakville net and popped in three quick goals to shock the hosts. Oakville, to their credit, erased deficits of 3-0 and 4-1 to send the game into overtime. But Burlington prevailed on a beautiful shot under the cross bar. Oakville goals were scored by Conor McGlynn (2 ), Danny Beaver and Cole Cassels. Kamil Tkaczuk earned an assist. (Oakville 2, Burlington 0 - game two) With their backs against the wall, the Rangers came out strong in game 2, but so did the host Eagles. Exciting passing and great stops at both ends kept the game scoreless through two periods, and the game was looking for a third period hero. As he has done all year, slick skating Kamil Tkaczuk converted a three way passing play (assists to Ryan Toor and Ryan McNeely) by bursting past the Burlington defenders and burying a shot to the far comer. Only minutes later, Sam Hisey burst down the opposite wing and tucked in a nifty deke (assists to Conor McGlynn and Kamil Tkaczuk) to put the game out of reach. The steady play of the Rangers defen sive corps o f Mitchell Cowbum, Jackson Hulbert, Justin Martin, Matthew Little, Rhys Maguire and Tkaczuk helped goalie Matthew Kaslik secure the shutout, and send the series to a deciding game. (Oakville 6, Burlington 1 - game three) The final score o f the decisive game was not indicative of the play, as the teams were deadlocked in a 1-1 tie late in the second period. Danny Beaver opened the scoring in the first, but Burlington replied on a power play, and the teams traded opportunities to break the tie. Once again, Kamil Tkaczuk's speed proved too much for the Eagles defence, and he put the eventual game winner high over the goalie's shoulder. Oakville kept up the offensive attack, and when Conor McGlynn (assist to Samuel Hisey) poked in a loose puck from the goal mouth, the boys could taste victory. Cole Cassels (assist to Conor McGlynn) added a single, and Danny Beaver completed a hat-trick with a shorthanded tally to finish the scoring. Hunter Swain shut the door on Burlington in the third period, and the championship celebration was on! (Thanks) The boys and parents wish to thank the team staff of Ken Hisey, Dean DeFazio, Mark Hisey, Matt Swain and Herb Toor for their dedication and leadership this season. Without lead sponsors Crave Entertainment, Tim Hortons. Tykir and Ekco, such a memorable season would not have been possible. The champs are: Matthew Kaslik, Mitchell Cowbum. Brody Brandt, Conor McGlynn, Jackson Hulbert, Ryan McNeely, Kamil Tkaczuk, Cameron DeFazio. Danny Beaver, Tyler Pierog, Ryan Toor, Matthew Little, Justin Martin. Rhys Maguire, Samuel Hisey, Cole Cassels and Hunter Swain. Barrie Erskine · Oakville Beaver A few of the competitors who will be on hand ... The Oakville Gymnastics Club will play host to the Winning Colors Trampoline and Tumbling Canada Cup & Provincial Championships at Maplegrove Arena in Oakville, this weekend (April 4-6). Canadians competing will include: · Karen Cockburn, Trampoline Bronze Medal 2000 Olympics & Gold Medals at 1999, 2000 & 2001 Canadian Championships... · Heather McManus, Synchronize Trampoline Gold Medals 2001 World Championships & 1991, 2000, 2001 & 2002 Canadian Championships ... · Chris Mitruk, Double Mini Trampoline Gold Medals 2001 & 2000 World Championships & 2002, 1996 to 2000, 1993 & 1992 Canadian Championships... · Mathieu Turgeon, Trampoline Bronze Medal 2000 Olympics & 2000 Canadian Championships... ·Bryan Milonja, Trampoline Gold Medals 2000, 2001 & 2002 Canadian Championships... · Cheryl Johnson, Double Mini Trampoline Gold Medal 1998 Canadian Championships & Bronze Medal 1999 World Championship... · Neisha Davis, Power Tumbling Silver Medals 2002, 2001 & 200 0 Canadian Championships... · Scott Fischer, Double Mini Trampoline Bronze Medal 1999 World Championship & Silver & Bronze Medals 1998 & 1999 Canadian Championships (See Ice Bears' page D3) END TO END! end to end action, here, first in the B urlington crease an d then in the O akville crease. B urlington prevailed 5-4 in O T in this opening gam e, b u t O akville won the next two. Ice Bears ice series, Beatrice next By Neil Becker SPECIAL T O THE BEAVER No one was more shocked than the Mississauga Ice Bears players upon learning-that not only had they won last Friday's N ational W om en's Hockey League (N W H L ) game in O akville 5-3 over the Bram pton Thunder -- but also the series. The Ice Bears will now move on to the central division cham pionship against the defending NW HL champi on Beatrice Aeros. The best-of-three series will open this Monday (April 7 ) at the Beatrice Ice Gardens at York University. And Ice Bears owner Bill Metcalfe, of Oakville, has announced that the second game will be held back at Ice Sports Oakville on Sunday, April 13. 6:15 p.m. Game three, if necessary, for this central conference cham pionship would be held on Monday, April 14 at York University. Metcalfe also noted that with the w om en's world cham pionships in China cancelled due to the SARS out break, that the Canadian and U.S. team players would be back in their respec tive line-ups. With just 1:30 left in Friday's game at Ice Sports Oakville -- which has become the Ice Bears home away from Chantal Ayotte · Oakville Beaver BREAK FREE! the Ice B ears K athy M cC orm ack looks to b reak free in playofT action against B ram pton T h under F rid ay a t Ice S p o rts O akville. O akville won the gam e -- and the series. home -- head coach Keith Murray o f Oakville called a time-out for his team, who were up 5-3. And he told them some shocking news, that Brampton's opening 3-2 win on Wednesday night had been taken away, and instead awarded to the Ice Bears. I -0. And, thus, that his own charges were on the verge o f not just winning the game -- but the series. (See .|ce BearS' page D3) r Canadian Tire's Athlete of the Week Canadian Tire and Oakville... A Winning Combination! 4 0 0 D u n d a s S t. E a s t · 257-T IR E STORE HOURS: Mon. -Fri. 8:00am-9pm · Sat. 8:00am-6:00pm Sun. 10am-6pm Brandon MacDonald Brandon MacDonald, 11, from Oakville successfully upheld his num ber one ranking in the provincial indoor U -12 tennis championships ac Cedar Springs in Burlington. DUNDAS & TRAFALG AR ROAD O A K T O W N S H O PP IN G P L A Z A 5 5 0 K e r r S tre e t · 8 4 4 - 0 2 0 2 STORE HOURS: Mon. -Fri. 8:00am-9pm · Sat. 8:00am-6:00pm Sun. 10am-6pm Way to g o !!! Visit your local Canadian Tire Store to receive your Gift Certificate. )