24-Tha Canadian Champion, Frlday, November 28, 1997 SPORTS Cinelli shakes off short slump, Milton rebounds to thump Vipers By STEVE L.BLANC The Champion David Cinellî's concentra- t tion level waa back up to snuif, as were those of bis team- mates, in the Merchants' 9-2 drubbing of the Vaughan U ~. Vipers Monday. Forty-eight hours after a suh- par showing in Georgetown,IP Milton's goalie rebounded with a sharp 25-save perfor- mance. "David was back on track and OUI gUYS played pretty well," said skipper Marty Williamnson. 'II put (Jamie) Fitzgibbon in again and hie did a good job. I'm trying to give the rookies Dai nel more ice time these daya (over DadCiel sa demanding stretch)." Fitzgibbon, Troy Walczak win pUshed the and captain Jeff Haydar dented hant'a season record to the twine as well. which put them in a tie The Merchants didn't escape 3rampton for top spot in Vaughan Unacathed however, est Conference. as they loat Shane Sullivan to a Best in the west two-game suspension. Milton's assistant captain ir 7.4 goals a game and was penalized as the third-man 2.7 against rank among in after Viper Chris Kelly st averages in the entire jumped Matt Bannan [rom ncial Jr. A Hockey bchind. e. Mario Cortes and David ding the way with two Peca were Vaughan's marks- and two assista Monday men. Both scored in the second team scoring leader period. :n Haydar, who's now Merchants notes: Id ahead of Collingwood Sullivan's absence shouldn't in David Deeves to lead hurt Milton too mnuçh tonight 'eraîl scoring race. (Friday) when they host vastly has 63 points (29 goals, inferior Elliot Lake of the lista) in 23 gamea. Northem LeagUe ... Rookies lin O'Flaherty also tallied Chad Blundy and Jeff Seeds while Ron Baker and drew assista in Mondays win. French poated one goal Botb have recorded pointa in vo assista a piece. their last three appearances. Photo by GRAHAM PAINE St. Thomas Aquinas Ralders converge on Mustang goalie Blair McTrach Monday at Memorlal Arena, as defenceman Steve Turner (6) muscles hie way Into the action. Milton District High won the season opiener 5-1. Mig«iidg ets power Mustangs Milton District Higb's hockey teamn will tbree-assist effort againsi St. Thomas Vaughan tbis season. have an Unbelievably easy time improving Aquinas. They instead opted to pool their talents on last year's 1- 16-1 record. His optimism stems from a Mustang and take a run at another championship. After ail, they've already equaled their 1996-97 win total with a season opening triumph over St. Thomas Aquinas Monday. But simple improvement won't he enough for Luc Redditt, wbo's got bis lineup that includes eight players from last season's AA midget crew - the team that blew away ail comers en route to the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) title. A number of these overage midgets, "When we saw bow many players from the midget team went to Milton District we decided to stick together," Redditt recalled. The decision bas already met with a measure of succeas. In addition to beating St. Thomas sights set on complete dominance. including Redditt, Dan McDuffe 'and Steve Aquinas 5-1, MD) gave a good accounting "We're dcfinitcly capable of at least win- Turner, no doubt bave the tools to play in a 4-3 exhibition bass to Notre Dame - ning Haltons (the regional titbe)," the first- lower-echelon Jr. A hockey and could who made it to the provincial high achool bine left Winger said, following a one-goal, have competed with Georgetown or championabipa bast spring. thisile The Merci 20-3, with the W The mere the be Provi Leagu Lea goals waa Darre jumpe vetera the ov He 34 ass Kev twice Steve and t