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47 · Friday, May 7, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Wheelchair hockey player loves the game By Clayton Ward-Theriault GRADE 12, T.A. BLAKELOCK T he nation's focus is on the ice. Sidney Crosby continues to dominate in the postseason with 14 points in the first round. The Canadiens surprised everyone with their seven-game upset of the Capitals. This all pales when compared to the tension, the drama, and skills exhibited by the athletes participating in the current Toronto Power Wheelchair Hockey League (TPWHL). This is my first year playing in the league and it has been an eye-opening experience. Can you imag- ine a hockey fan like me actually playing hockey. I have been a hockey fan all my life, a Leafs fan unfortunately. I never thought that I would be able to play a variation of the game that I love but last summer I learned about this league and was able to join and become a part of it. People with physical disabilities have few resources for recreational opportunities and require adaptive equipment to meet their physical limitations. However, the TPWHL brings players together for a pleasurable afternoon of competitive hockey. I can tell you this is an amazing experience and it's great fun. Right now, we are in the playoffs. In my league, the juniors, there are four teams, all competitive and enthusiastic. So far, my team, the Lake Raiders have been eliminated by the Kings, but like the Leafs there is always next year! Suffering the same fate, the Mustangs have been knocked out by the Bulldogs. The final between these two teams will be either Sunday, May 9th or the 16th. My prediction is the Bulldogs coming out on top. The game is hockey and the excitement is there, but obviously there are a few differences. The most apparent is the lack of ice! I don't think wheelchairs could function on ice, but it would be a lot of fun. The next thing is that all the players and coaches use power or manual wheelchairs, and the only equipment is a stick, jersey, protective glasses and a ball. The game is fast and demands tremendous skill with the chair as well as stick handling. From a personal perspective, my enjoyment was further enhanced when a clip of our league action was shown on CBC's Hockey Day In Canada. All we needed was Don Cherry. The players in this league are between the ages of eight and 17 and have great enthusiasm for the sport. The game also is a great boost to individual and family esteem. Personally, I love the game and already am looking forward to next season. This game is for kids and young adults with various disabilities who have limited upper body strength and/or mobility and we work hard towards physical and emotional growth. We're supported by family and friends, and overall this activity builds players into strong leaders in sportsmanship and team spirit, regardless of skill level. If you know anyone who is in a wheelchair and loves hockey, I suggest they visit our web site: http://tpwhl.com. OAK's Truong wins nine gold Hurricanes claim silver medals Hugo Truong could not be beaten at the recent HAC-MAC Spring Invitational swim meet in Hamilton. The Oakville Aquatic Club member swam to gold in nine different 10-and-under boys' events. He added a club-record time in the 800-metre freestyle for good measure. Ali Baki, Nicole Bullock, Carly Jozibec and Matthew Mac also had stellar meets for OAK. Baki won seven gold in 11-under boys' competition, Bullock won six gold in 12U girls, Jozibec earned six gold in 11U girls and Mac claimed five gold in 12U boys. Other gold-medal winners for OAK included Perrie Armstrong, Adham Assaad, Hannah Burgess, Samantha Cameron, Joeseph Carin, Sarah Cauvel, Owen DuncanSnobel, Marcelo Gamio, Julia Gorelosheva, Annika Grewal, Sarah Hay, Michael Kalman, Alexander Karam, Maisey Kent, Jay Lansiquot, Ryan Lewis, Alexandra Morris, Hailey Norris, Kristen Olvet, Dejan Pajovic, Monica Patel, Olivia Sinclair, Luka Tomic, Nina Tomic, Emma Tsang and Aidan Tyrrell. Silvers went to Liam Charbonneau, Erin Grandy, Mackenzie Hamill, Megan Harrison, Alexander Hayman, Bennett Ho, Anthony Ivakhnenko, Jillian Kent, Paige Lavergne, Kristina Mazalica, Taja McLean, Clark Norris, Tarrah Price, Abbey Saunders, Mert Sehri, Alexander Smith, Briar Tedesco, Jacqueline Trong, Linda Wang, Brandon Wasslen and Jenna Wood. Bronzes were collected by Kristen Byrne, Islay Cameron, Alexa Codilla, Chloe Haslam, Marissa Hay, Vienna Holdip, Hannah Hunt, Guhan Iyer, David Kalman, Julia Kennedy, Chrissa McDonald, Stephanie Nakamura, Kerrick Pereira, Sarah Peros, Emily Ramier, Thomas Ritchie, Laurence Savoie, Kevin Scaife, Blaze Slavkovski, Alyson Smith, Lewis Whitton and Adam Wood. That same weekend, Gamal Assaad won six gold medals at the John Grootveld Officials Classic in Toronto. Mack Darragh, Mitchell Gour, Evan White, Emily Hunt and Marni Oldershaw also stood on top of the podium at least once for OAK. Silvers at that meet were earned by Kent Kikot, David Whiteside, Julie Calvert, Annie Harrison and Alexandra Kalman. Jack Cavanagh, Martin Matuszczak, Dan Rona and Kristen Wharin took bronze. at volleyball provincials Several local residents were part Sydney Newton, Devon Lowes and Madison of the Halton Region Volleyball Shouldice were the local players on the 14U Black team. Club's two silver-winning teams at The provincials, held in Waterloo, attracted 100 girls' the recent provincial champi- teams and 22 boys' teams. onships. The Hurricanes finished second in two of the 14-under divisions. The 14U Black squad claimed silver in Division 1 Tier 2, while the 13U Black team -- playing up an age division -- was second in Division 2 Tier 2. Patricia Gombas, Sydney McIntosh, Sierra Hardy and Leah Morning and afternoon Bleeker were the Oakville residents departures to Fallsview Casino *After $10 Casino Rebate on the 13U Black squad. * FREE DAILY SERVICE Government Photo ID required We've got the best football in Halton for boys and girls. Register Now! burCATCH T toEnCITEMENT HE X BALL FOOT ! in person registration dates 4181 New Street - BMFA Clubhouse behind Nelson Stadium at Nelson High School Guelph Line, North Service Minimum 5- hour stay required. Valid government-issuedRd identification photo and Players Advantage Club Card required to redeem offers. 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