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OakvilleBeaverSportsSPORTS EDITOR:JONKUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext.432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com FRIDAY,JANUARY 28,201136Hornets more dangerous than standings suggestBy Jon KuiperijMississauga and Toronto, both games wereBEAVER SPORTS EDITORtied in the third period before the Chiefsand Aeros pulled out victories. MississaugaTo glance at the Provincial Womensedged the Hornets 2-1 in their other clashHockey League standings, you wouldnt seethis season, while Oakville and Toronto willthe Oakville Hornets as much of a threat tomeet again this weekend.the leagues top teams when the postseasonOakville has also played its two mostcome around.likely first-round opponents, the 21-5-3-1A closer look, however, suggests a differ-Bluewater Hawks and 18-7-3-1 Whitbyent story.Wolves, tough. Whitby defeated Oakville 2-Yes, the intermediate AA team still ranks1 Sunday for its second one-goal win overnear the bottom of the league, sitting 14ththe Hornets this season, and Bluewaterout of 19 squads with a 9-16-3-3 record.posted 3-0 and 4-2 wins in the first twoBut the Hornets are getting better.months of the season.Much better, in fact. Good enough to earnI think teams look at us and say Man,points in eight of their last 11 games, post-these guys are weird, said Grigg. We losting a 6-3-1-1 record over that span.to the last-place team, Hamilton (one ofAnd theyve been competitive in thosethe Hawks two wins this year), were beat-regulation-time losses. One came by a goal,ing teams people think we shouldnt beat,another was a one-goal game until a lateand were in games against teams peopleempty-netter, and the third was by a two-think we shouldnt be in games against.goal margin.Were a head scratcher.That improvement is enough to get theBuilding for next seasonHornets, who won just one of their first 15games with a roster that featured only oneGrigg anticipated a season of ups andreturnee from the previous season, believ-downs. The Oakville Hornets Girls Hockeying they can make life difficult for theAssociation took control of the intermedi-leagues upper-echelon clubs in the upcom-ate AAteam last fall from the Oakville Ice,ing playoffs.and Gabrielle Leonard was the only mem-We hope to do something this year,ber of the Ice that stayed with theeven if its just as a spoiler, said HornetsHornets.general manager Jeffrey Grigg. If we doWhen the Hornets took over the inter-that, to me, its a success.mediate program, they had no thinking ofIf the Hornets can finish 14th or higherbeing a top contender the first or second orin the regular-season standings, theyllthird year. This was sort of a new team,avoid the top two clubs in the first round.starting from scratch,Grigg said.Thats important, considering theHes optimistic that the teams improve-Mississauga Chiefs (28-2) and Torontoment this year might help the Hornets con-Aeros (22-4-1-2) have dominated thetend for a league title sooner than expect-ERIC RIEHL / SPECIALTOTHE OAKVILLE BEAVERleague this year, outscoring opponents by aed.ONTHERISE: Leanne Gallant of the Oakville intermediate AAHornets carries the puck duringcombined margin of 266-74.Every little success we have createsa recent Provincial Womens Hockey League game against the Hamilton Hawks.After a rough startThen again, Oakville hasnt exactly beeninterest from outsiders, he said. Wellto the season,the Hornets have earned points in eight of their past 11 games and hope to play spoil-outclassed by the Chiefs and Aeros. In thehave five returnig players, possibly, but aer in the upcoming playoffs.Hornets most recent meetings withlot of interest from the outside.Oakville Lady Hawks offering more programs this seasonAfter a successful inaugural season last year, theteam will be available for girls who have graduated fromeye coordination.Oakville Lady Hawks field lacrosse program is growing inthe U15 program.With the addition of the new divisions and an antici-2011.Last season, the Lady Hawks under-11 B team wonpated 20 per cent increase in players, the Lady Hawks areThe Lady Hawks, who operate under theprovincial gold under the guidance of for-welcoming volunteers to assist in each division. AnyoneOakville Minor Lacrosse Associationmer player Crystal Robinson, while the U15interested in volunteering is invited to contact the Ladyumbrella, are adding three new divisions toteam held its own in a very competitiveHawks program director, Darlah Cordingley, through thetheir field lacrosse program this year. Girlsdivision.Oakville Minor Lacrosse Association website (www.oakvil-born from 2004-2006 will have the opportunityGirls field lacrosse is non-contact andlelacrosse.com).to learn the fundamentals of the game in apredicated more on finesse and passing,Registration for the 2011 Oakville Lady Hawks seasonMini-Hawks house league division; anrequiring and rewarding coordination andis already underway. Registration sessions will be held atunder-13 pilot program new to the Ontarioagility, not brawn. The sport can particularly benefit girlsOakville Town Hall on Thursday, Feb. 10 (5:30-10 p.m.)Womens Lacrosse Association has been added as a transi-hockey players, since the transfer of stick skills is negligi-and Saturday, Feb. 19 (12-6 p.m.). For more information,tional step between under-11 and under-15; and a U19 repble. It also increases physical fitness and maintains hand-visit the OMLA website at www.oakvillelacrosse.com