www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday January 7, 2009 - 27 Blades' new forwards make great first impression By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR C hris Muise and Tyler Leimbrock wasted no time making friends with their new Oakville Blades teammates. The two forwards, acquired from the Brampton Capitals during the Christmas break, needed only 20 seconds to set up linemate Luke Moodie for a goal in their first game with the Blades Saturday at Joshua's Creek Arenas. Muise and Leimbrock didn't stop there, combining for a total of nine assists as the Blades pounded the Bramalea Blues 17-1 in Ontario Junior Hockey League play. Leimbrock and Muise, both 20, weren't the only players making their Blades debut Saturday. Veteran defenceman Jordan Smith, picked up from the Aurora Tigers, drew an assist on Chris Rocca's second-period goal. Moodie finished the game with four goals -- the second time this season he's managed that feat -- and two assists, as did Lindsay Sparks. Dan Hunt, Dustin Alcock and Kellan Lain added two goals apiece, with Ryan Murphy and Kyle Badham contributing singles. Murphy chipped in four assists for a five-point evening, and captain Jeremy Welsh had three helpers. The rout made for a great first impression particularly by Leimbrock and Muise, who were Brampton's top two scorers this season before being dealt to Oakville for future considerations. "Bramalea wasn't the toughest team to play," Leimbrock admitted with a smile. "I was pumped up to play. I wanted to be a Blade and want to win, and it showed a lot against Bramalea." Muise, a local resident, added, "Coming to Oakville like this is something special because they're already good. It takes some of the pressure off me and Ty, and gives us a chance to win and show what we can do." Muise and Moodie are long-time friends, dating back to their days in elementary school. Muise was already familiar with some of the other Blades players as well, having spent time with the team after games last year during Oakville's run to the RBC Royal Bank Cup national championship tournament. Leimbrock and Muise embraced the chance to join the Blades after four seasons with the Capitals. Brampton, featuring a rookie-laden lineup, is 15-17-7 this year. "Brampton is a good organization. There are a lot of good people in there, but they had some problems the last few years. With me and Chris being there with 14 rookies, we might have been frustrated," said Leimbrock, who was the Capitals' captain. "We did want out, but we want to win in our last year." The opportunity is certainly there with an Oakville club that improved to 30-6 with the victory over Bramalea. Smith, meanwhile, has already tasted plenty of success as a junior player. He was part of the Tigers' national championship team in 2004, and reached the league semifinals last spring before the Blades ousted Aurora in a hard-fought six-game series. The Tigers are strong once again this in 38 games, and Smith had a goal and season, entering the week with a 29-7-1 19 assists in 30 contests for Aurora. While Vanstone is pleased with the record, but Smith believes Oakville presents the best chance for him to return to offensive punch Oakville has added to its roster, he also likes the message that the the Royal Bank Cup. moves are sending to the rest "I wanted out (of of the team. Aurora)," the 20-year-old "Coming to "Everyone was so excited said, noting last summer's Oakville like this is to have these three new kids departure of coach Jerome something special in the lineup," said Vanstone. Dupont played a factor in his "We said we'd do our best to desire to leave the Tigers. "I because they're make the team as good as we looked at Oakville and said already good. It possibly could, and our (playthis would be a good spot for takes some of the ers) were saying you've tradme. There was interest from pressure off me ed three kids away, you've Georgetown, but I wanted to and Ty, and gives had a kid (Julian come here." Cimadamore) leave to the Georgetown currently us a chance to win OHL, and we haven't made leads the MacKinnon and show what we any additions. Division with a 31-5-1 mark, can do." "Now we pick up these three points ahead of the Oakville Blades three kids that most of our Blades. older players know. If we Oakville director of hock- forward Chris Muise don't pick up anybody else, ey operations and head scout Chris Vanstone said the Blades had their these are the guys we're going to war eye on the three players for a while. with." The Blades will visit the Milton Oakville initially attempted to acquire Muise and Leimbrock a month ago, but IceHawks Friday, then return home Saturday for a 7:30 p.m. contest against the trade fell through. Muise had 24 goals and 26 assists in the Port Hope Predators at Joshua's 36 games with the Capitals this year, Creek Arenas. Both games are scheduled Leimbrock had 24 goals and 25 helpers for 7:30 p.m. starts. Jenner scores twice in Canada's U18 win Appleby College student Brianne Jenner scored twice as Canada opened the World Women's Under-18 Hockey Championship with a 16-1 rout of Switzerland. Jenner, the team's captain, scored both her goals in the second period, part of a six-goal Canadian onslaught. Canada outshot the Swiss 80-7. Canada and Finland faced off yesterday (Tuesday). Canada plays the Czech Republic today (Wednesday) in its last of three round-robin games. The semifinals are scheduled for Friday with the medal games set for Saturday. The tournament is being played in Fussen, Germany. OAKVILLE SOCCER CLUB www.oakvillesoccer.ca WINTER INDOOR SOCCER SEASON BEGINS THE WEEK OF JANUARY 12TH IN THE NEW PINE GLEN SOCCER CENTRE. Don't Delay Limited Space Still Available www.oakvillesoccer.ca BE A PART OF THIS GREAT COMMUNITY WITH THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST SPORTS CLUB BY PARTICIPATING IN OUR 2009 SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM!! Full Details Available online Under "Services" link or by contacting jneefs@oakvillesoccer.ca NO PLANS FOR MARCH BREAK? NO PROBLEM! MARCH BREAK SOCCER CAMP PINE GLEN SOCCER CENTRE MARCH 16-20, 2009 U7 (2002) U18 (1991) Registration Available Online VISIT www.oakvillesoccer.ca TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR RETURNING MEMBERS TO REGISTER IN ADVANCE FOR THE 2009 SOCCER SEASON!! PRIOR TO JANUARY 28, 2009 @ 5:00PM TO TAKE ADVANTAGE!! The Oakville Beaver A Proud Sponsor of Oakville Soccer Club Sponsored by: