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Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008 41 Quantum leap Brotherly love takes back seat in NLL playoffs Dan Dawson gets third crack at league title By Herb Garbutt Brampton's senior A team. He took a liking to the position -- which he had played in hockey with the Paul Dawson is facing a bit of a Oakville Blades -- and returned to the pro ranks for his rookie season dilemma. The last thing he wants to see is looking to crack the roster on the Portland Lumberjax winning the defence, though he knew it was a National Lacrosse League champi- risk. At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, he onship tomorrow (Saturday, 7:30 definitely had the size p.m.) in Buffalo. Where to make life miserable Paul's problem arises is "My brother's my for opposing forwards. that his brother Dan best friend and a Scoring goals, however, plays for the Lumberjax great competitor, was an entirely differand will be taking his but if he had to run ent matter. third run at his first over me to win a "We usually leave Champions Cup. the scoring to the O "I'm definitely not championship, he (offence) guys or the rooting for his team," would. And I would transition guys," the said Paul, a defender on do the same." 22- year-old said of his the San Jose Stealth, goal. "The defence which was upset by the Dan Dawson always jokes about it. Lumberjax in the opening round of the playoffs. "I'd like We called it the Turtle Derby for the him to win but I won't be going out guys who hadn't scored yet, so it was to celebrate with his team after- nice to come out of the season with at least one." ward." Dan, on the other hand, is one of Portland's 18-16 win over the division-leading Stealth began a those expected to score. It was why Cinderella playoff run by the 6-10 Portland picked him first overall in Lumberjax. It also made for anxious the dispersal draft of players from times in the family's Oakville home, the Arizona Sting, which suspended where Julie and Joe Dawson knew operation for a year. He rewarded one of their sons was about to see the Lumberjax by finishing 10th in league scoring with 38 goals and 81 his season end. "I think it's hardest on our par- points in 16 games. "(Paul) had a great goal and it got ents," Dan said. "My brother's my best friend and a great competitor, his team going and gave them a lift but if he had to run over me to win but I used it for inspiration, too," a championship, he would. And I said Dan. "I thought, `I'd better answer.'" would do the same." And he did, with his third goal of Fortunately for their parents' peace of mind, Paul wasn't assigned the game less than two minutes to shut down his brother when their later. It was the first of five straight teams went head to head. And as by Portland as it rallied to tie the expected, each did everything he game. Dan would score three more could to make sure it was his team in the second half to finish with a career-high seven goals and 12 that advanced. points to lead his team to victory. Paul scores first NLL goal He followed that up with five Paul scored his first NLL goal to goals and five assists as Portland give San Jose a 9-4 lead in the quar- beat Calgary, who had pulled off its terfinal matchup. Originally drafted own upset of second-seeded as a goaltender, he made the switch Colorado, 16-12. The win meant the See Dawson page 42 to defender in the summer with OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF DEREK WOOLLAM / OAKVILLE BEAVER TRIPLE JUMP: River Oaks student Graham Appleby reaches for every last inch during triple jump competition at Wednesday's Halton Public School Board elementary track-and-field Wallace meet in Burlington. For results from the meet, see page 43. Mason watching tourney from stands When the London Knights traded Steve Mason to the Kitchener Rangers in January, it was said the Oakville native would be guaranteed the chance to play in the Memorial Cup. Mason has learned the hard way that there's no such thing as a guarantee. Although Kitchener is hosting the Canadian junior championship and opens the tournament today against Quebec champion Gatineau, Mason will be watching from the stands. Mason, last year's Ontario Hockey League goaltender of the year, had surgery on April 18 to repair a torn ligament in his left knee. The original timeline for recovery was four to six weeks. The opening game of the 10-day tournament is exactly four weeks from the day of his surgery. Mason has skated since the injury, but not in full equipment. Kitchener coach Peter DeBoer hasn't ruled out a return by the goalie who led Canada to world junior gold. "We're hoping he'll be available," DeBoer told Kitchener newspaper The Record Thursday. "We've got (11 days) until the Memorial Cup final. See Both page 49 More of what you LOVE, all your favourite flyers anytime online! Look for these and more great flyers online. Save time, save money.