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Bantam Hornets finalists f l in Whitby h b U17 tourney can b build ld confidence fd Continued from page 41 43 · Friday, December 16, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com in Windsor. The two have already crossed paths once this season. Martin made his first OHL start against Erie, making 29 saves in a 4-2 win. But the chance to play on the same team as Harper once again is one Martin is looking forward to. "I'm super excited," said the 16-year-old netminder, who represented Ontario at the Canada Winter Games in February. "I felt like I had a good camp (in the summer) but I knew there was still a lot of hockey to be played (before the team was selected). I'm looking forward to playing with (Harper) again." As they prepared for their rookie seasons, Martin and Harper worked out together in the summer at Twist Conditioning in Burlington. Their on-ice sessions often included scrimmages with OHL and American Hockey League players, which helped smooth the transition from minor hockey. "Their speed and the their shots were so much better," Martin said. "It was good to get used to that and that helped me get prepared for the season." Martin won his first two OHL starts, though he has been dealt losses in his last four. Majors coach James Boyd has not been disappointed in his rookie netminder, though. He said the plan all along has been to bring Martin along slowly and allow him to learn from veteran J.P. Anderson, now in his fourth OHL season. "It's quite a jump between midget and the OHL, especially when you're the last line of defence," Boyd said. "But Spencer has all the physical attributes you look for and he's a hard worker. J.P. is a good role model for any player. It's a great situation." Martin, who has a 3.98 goals-against average and .884 save percentage, has been the only goalie to make the jump from minor midget to the OHL on a full-time basis. Of the seven games started by a 16-year-old goalie in the OHL this season, six of them are by Martin. And he's the only one to record a win. Boyd said the under-17 tournament can give a player a boost heading into the second half of the OHL season. "For a lot of these guys going to the under17, they were top players in their age group. Now they're forced to sit or not get the ice time they were used to," the Majors coach said. "This is a good opportunity for them to get back to that in a situation where the level of play is going to be very high." But just because he won't be facing any 20-year-olds, Martin said that's no reason to relax. "These guys are the best of their age group; they're not to be taken lightly," he said. "Most of the guys are playing in the OHL or the Q (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) or other great leagues. They're skilled hockey players." Ontario will open the tournament Dec. 29 against Germany. It will also play Sweden and two other Canadian entries -- Pacific and West -- in its pool. The playoff round begins Jan. 3 with the medal-round games Jan. 4. And if all goes well, Martin and his former teammate will have some more fond memories to share. The Oakville bantam AA Hornets won their first three games to reach the championship game at the recent Whitby Tournament of Heroes. Oakville downed squads from Ottawa, Brockville and Kingston before dropping a 2-1 decision to the host Whitby Wolves -- the top-ranked team in the province -- in the gold-medal game. Kristin O'Neill (five goals) and Tegan Duncan (four goals) were the Hornets' top scorers at the tournament. Nicole Cece and Alyssa McCrane-Chartrand provided strong goaltending throughout. Also contributing were Kameron Halsall, Julia Edgar, Anastasia Tolfa, Dana Beattie, Alexandra Daniel, Samantha Lombardi, Meghan Gallagher, Taylor McKibbon, Serena Masi, Julia Rees, Allison CHan, Melissa Mistel and Christina Scanlon. Regulars Kaitlyn Perichak and Breann Gallagher missed the tournament due to injuries. Look for our flyer in today's paper! Only in selected areas. See in store for complete details. March Break Soccer Fun Camps Ages 7 and up March 12 - 16 $400 Sign up today - limited spaces available! Online registration at www.oakvillesoccer.ca/camps