The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

32 Sports Oakville Beaver www.aplushomes.ca from 2 .4% ·Full MLS ·Full Service Call ADAM CAMPBELL Broker 905-844-4444 SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2007 Weekend loss could prove costly for Blades Hamilton, Brampton now one point behind By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The Oakville Blades maintain their lead atop the Provincial Jr. A Hockey League's West Conference, but it's an unsteady perch at best. With just three weeks remaining in the regular season, only one point separates the Blades, the Hamilton Red Wings and the Brampton Capitals, both of whom have a game in hand on the Blades. Oakville hasn't done itself any favours in recent play. The Blades, winners of 23 of 25 heading into the weekend, lost for the second time in three games after squandering an early 2-0 advantage in a 5-2 loss to the Burlington Cougars. Adding a little salt to the wound was the fact that it was three Oakville residents who keyed Burlington's comeback (see story, page 33). The following night, the Blades rebounded as Matt Hoyle blanked Milton in a 3-0 victory. The shutout was Hoyle's league-leading fourth of the season, all of which have come in his last eight starts. Over that period, the 16-year-old netminder is 8-0 with an average of 1.25 and a .953 save percentage. Hoyle will be one of three players representing the Blades in next week's all-star game at York University, joined by teammates Chase Langeraap and Trevor Elliott. Favourable schedule down the stretch Hoyle's strong play bodes well for the stretch run. Also in the Blades' favour is the schedule over the last seven games. The Blades will play five of those games at home (including their rescheduled Dec. 16 contest that was originally slated to be played in Buffalo, now set for Jan. 28 in Oakville). Four of the Blades' games are against the bottom three teams in the league, a trio that has combined to win only 15 of its 120 games this season. Also included in the stretch run are two pivotal games, one each against Brampton (Jan. 26) and Hamilton (Feb. 2), both at home. In fact, first place may well come down to the outcome of the three head-to-head games between the three front runners (Hamilton plays Brampton Jan. 29). The Blades will need to rediscover their scoring touch before those crucial BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER See Special page 35 HEAD OVER HEELS: Oakville Blades defenceman Chris Haltigin (in blue) flies through the air after a collision with Milton IceHawks opponent Doug Clarkson Saturday at Dominion Twin Rinks. The Blades blanked Milton 3-0 to maintain their hold on first place in the Provincial Junior A Hockey League's West Conference. ONLY TWO WEEKS LEFT FOR ADVANCE REGISTRATION FOR THE 2007 OUTDOOR SEASON!! Returning members may register online and siblings (new members) register in person at the OSC Clubhouse. Register Prior to February 7TH for LEGENDARY COACH ANSON DORRANCE COACHING CLINIC Taking place FEBRURAY 17 2007 2007 OUTDOOR REGISTRATION FOR NEW MEMBERS FEBRUARY 3 & FEBRUARY 10, 2007 9:00AM ­ 12:00PM - TOWN HALL SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE See Website for details or Contact Joy @ jneefs@oakville-soccer.on.ca j www.oakville-soccer.on.ca Oakville Soccer Club A Proud Sponsor of Oakville Soccer Club 504 Iroquois Shore Rd., Unit #11, Oakville, On L6H 3K4 Tel: 905-849-4436 Fax: 905-849-3677