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Don Lawrence * Sports editor * Don Lawrence sports editor Sports widows are a lonely lot Around this time of year, hockey is just beginning to catch the interest of sports fans along with football and of course, baseball. The National League playoffs have been decided as to who is going to play, following the victory of the Houston Astros over Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Western Division playoff. The 7-1 victory represented the first time the Astros has captured any title in their 19 years in existence. Houston will now play Philadelphia Phillies for the league championship. This Cinderella win has captured the imagination of all Astros fans who have waited for so many years for this moment. It demonstrates that there is still hope for the Blue Jays who might get their act together yet for next year. Their slogan, "Under Construction' has ~ promises hidden therein of a better time in the future. But, for the meantime, baseball fans will be watching Houston and Philadelphia battle it out for the championship. The playoffs are a time of lonely wives who must take refuge in the company of the family's pet cat. Armchair critics will abound and every house will explode with the shouts of the newly appointed coaches of their favourite team. Baseball widows will become football widows and then the transformation will continue until they have become hockey widows. The endless cycle will go on and on with the wives being the eventual losers. SO TE OEE ROK OK OK 2K OK OK OK OK KK KK KKK At this time, it is necessary to mention a man who must be recognized for his con- tributions to sport. Jim Shakell of Midland passed away recently, leaving a void,in the local sports world. They say that you can know someone from what other people say about them. Penetang Kings down Centennials 13-5 Friday It was hockey night in Penetanguishene, Friday night, when the town's Junior "C" Kings played host to their cross-town rivals Midland _ Centennials. Kings, it could be said were not the best of hosts. since they eventually downed visitors by a whopping 13-5 score before a packed house at Penetang Arena. Mayor Gil Robillard dropped the puck to make the whole event Wiha vi saw Penetanguishene take an early lead and never look back. Kings scored a total of five unanswered goals in the first period and added four more in the middle frame. Centennials notched but one goal in the second period and after 40 minutes of hockey Kings were well out in front 9-1. Kings added four more markers in the last period while Cen- ended 13-5 in favor of Kings. Top shooter for Penetanguishene was big centre Terry Pilon who collected a hat trick. Left winger Jerry Lethbridge, right winger Paul Robillard and left winger Doug Gillesoie all notched two goals apiece for win- ners. Noel McEachern was probably the best man on the ice for Midland scoring two goals on the night...one in the second period and his last tally Shots on goal were comparable with the play that took place around both net- minders. Midland actually outshot Penetanguis- hene 45-35 however as the score notes Penetanguishene was sharper around the twine in recording a 13-5 victory. In the penalty department both clubs had three minors in the first period and four apiece in the third. The middle frame was a hectic one with each fighting penalties. However once players got the fighting out of their system they returned to playing, for the most part, heads-up hockey which fans had come to see and they weren't disappointed even though the score was lopsided. Once Midland's defensive squad im- proves a bit, Cen tennials will be one of the teams to reckon with in the league. Kings on the other hand just seem to im- prove with each game quite official at the outset of the match amount. tennials equalled that in the third frame. game club three and with each season. getting When confusion reigns No one seemed to know where the puck had gone on this play during the game Friday at Midland Centennial Arena If that's true, then Jim Shakell was a good man. between Midland Athletic and Orillia near comeback the Athletics attempted, Terriers. Terriers won the game 7-5 scoring three goals in the last half of the despite strong playing by Midland and the third period. _-- Athletics are getting better Midland Athletics are definitely im- proving. They lost their league play opener to Orillia Terriers Friday night by a score of 7-5 in a hard-hitting game here in Midland. One thing that is going to get better is Athletics' staying power. It was a common sight to see players coming off the ice before the end of a shift Friday. Yet, we must consider that most of the players have only been on the ice for two weeks now, many having returned from long periods of absence from the ice. Nevertheless, the team was impressive and if the game had lasted a little longer, they would have surely attained the tie, or perhaps, even the win they want so bad. Orillia opened the scoring in the first period at the 10:12 mark when Vytas Urdas popped the puck in the net, assisted by teammates Tim Lutes and Mike Daikoff. Big Gun Urdas proved to be a big gun for Orillia as he went on to score his second goal of the game a mere one minute and twenty seconds later. He was assisted by Warren Howes and Jim Sherrit*on the play. To end off the first period, Orillia shooter, Mike Kinnear, found the mark to put the 77's ahead for the third goal of the period, with some help from Vytas Urdas and Terry Legge. Midland didn't manage any goals in the first period. Orillia also jumped into the action in the first two minutes of the second period with Mike Kinnear getting his second goal of the game. Urdas also assisted on this play, along with Tim Lutes. At the 3:41 mark in the second period, Midland got on the scoreboard when newcomer, Connie Maloney took the puck from line mates, Wayne King and Ross Cousineau. Both teams remained scoreless until the 17:53 mark in that period when Orillia took an even larger lead. Warren Howes did the honors, with assists going to Rob Street and Jim Sherrit. Unassisted goal Midland, however. was on a roll and Wayne King kept that roll alive with his unassisted goal with only 1:37 left in the period. Five minutes and 41 seconds into the third period, Orillia went further ahead to make the score 6-2. Urdas again made his presence felt on the ice as he received his hat trick for the night, assists going to Tim Lutes and Mike Kinnear. Midland's Billy Beauchamp quickly got the goal back though. The goal came with 12:48 left in the game. Beuce Guthrie claiming the assist. Orillia, however, didn't waste any time putting the puck back in the net with a shot by Tim Ellis from Frank Gill at the 10:01 mark. Here is where things turned around as the Athletics rallied themselves together for a burst of energy that must have had the Terriens worried about their big lead. Terry Spiker put Midland one step closer to a tie with an assist from Ross Cousineau with only 4:13 left. Then, with only 1:11 remaining in the game, Bruce Guthrie put the puck in the net for Midland once more. Assists went to Bill Beauchamp and Ken Knapton. Time ran out for the Athletics here, though, the final score sitting at 7-5 for Orillia. The hockey played in that game was some of the best played in Midland Cen- tennial' Arena for a long time, almost resulting in a win for the Athletics. Team 'coach, Bob Monteith of Penetanguishene, estimated a growing period of around 12 games would be probable earlier this season, but by the looks of the team on Friday, it should be a lot sooner than that before they have a really competitive hockey club. The Athletics' next game will be in the Midland Arena when they will play host to the Barrie Flyers Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 8, 1980, Page 21