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OkillOAKVILLESMUSIC STOREwww.gearmusic.netSpor324 Kerr St.ts905-339-3515SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2011 16Novices claim OMHA titleTIME TO CHEER:Oakville minor atom coachBy Herb GarbuttThats when they started to believeBryan McDermott and hisOAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF (they could win the OMHA title),players celebrate after RyanMcDermott said. O'Hara's overtime goalJust when the Oakville minor atom AAA The victory was even more encourag-gave the Rangers a 3-2 vic-Rangers proved they could beat their nemesis,ing considering the turnover on the team.tory over Halton in thethe Burlington Eagles, they didnt have to.The Rangers lost three players to theOMHA championship gameThe much anticipated rematch of lastGreater Toronto Hockey League, includ-Sunday in Burlington.years Ontario Minor Hockey Associationing two of the teams top scorers. In all,Oakville was edged byfinal, in which Burlington edged Oakville,they began the year with six new players,Burlington in last year'sdidnt materialize. But the Rangers foundincluding one Clark Hiebert whofinal but went undefeatedthemselves in the same position as last yearmade the leap all the way from houseat this year's tournament, tied 2-2 heading to overtime needing oneleague last season.going 3-0-2.goal to claim the OMHA title.The new recruits also included threeThis time the Rangers got the chancedefencemen who jumped two levels fromto celebrate after Ryan OHara banged in aA, Connor Rudderham, Jacob Pokocky andMICHAEL IVANINrebound just two seconds after a HaltonBill Thompson. Forward Liam Richardson,OAKVILLE BEAVERHurricanes penalty expired, giving Oakvillewho also played A last season, had twoa 3-2 victory.goals in the OMHA tournament.The kids really came together, saidThough Burlington would exact someRangers coach Bryan McDermott. They playedrevenge by knocking the Rangers out of really well together as a team. I told them itsthe Richard Bell Tournament afternot how you start, its how you finish.Christmas, it would be the last timeWhich was a good thing considering theOakville would taste defeat. They wereRangers surrendered the first goal in four of undefeated in 2011, going 29 games with-their five games in the OMHA tournamentout a loss.and spotted Halton a 2-0 first-period lead inAfter winning their first two games inthe final. But Oakville battled back to eventhe OMHA tournament, 5-2 over Whitbythe score thanks to a pair of goals by Tyand 3-2 against Halton, Oakville squaredJackson, the tournaments leading scoreroff against Burlington. Oakvilles Altonwith nine points in five games. That wasMcDermott broke a 2-2 with less than fourenough to send the game to overtime theminutes remaining but the Eagles wouldfirst time Oakville had faced an extra periodtie with a goal in the final minute. Oakvillesince last years OMHA final in whichwould then wrap up the round robin withBurlington edged them for the title. a 2-2 tie with Markham, pulling even onOakville and Burlington had met 11Dylan Jacksons goal with 5:38 remaining,times before that final and though they man-securing Oakville a place in the gold-aged three ties, they came away without amedal game.MINOR ATOM CHAMPS:The Oakville Rangers defeated Halton in overtime to win the OMHA minorsingle win against their rivals. This season,Meanwhile, Halton slipped pastatom championship Sunday. Team members are: Lucas Lorimer, Tanner Elson, Duncan Penman, Will Thompson,Oakville brought that streak to an end early,Burlington by a point with a tie in its finalKyle Kachan, Will Thomas, Connor Rudderham, Jacob Pokocky, Ty Jackson, Dylan Jackson, Ryan O'Hara, Altonbeating Burlington in the Toronto Marliesgame to ensure there would be no rematchMcDermott, Aliesha Song, Liam Richardson, Clark Hiebert, Bradley Somers, Chris Ishmael, coach Bryan McDermott,tournament in September.of last year's final.manager Andy Rudderham, assistant coaches Paul Jackson and Damon Kachan and trainer Bryan Richardson.www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, March 23, 2011 16