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The Canadian Champion, Friday, November 13, 1998 -19 HONDA TH CNDIN HMPONFIDAN 'EBE1,19 Milton beats Blues wolof*~at Bramalea 's pond Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Young Adam Sturgeon (left) has made a smooth transition ta junior hockey, thanks ln part ta support tram Milton Merchant leaders Kevin O'Flaherty (centre) and Nathan Gillies. This kid isn' t kidding when it cornes to hockey By STEVE LeBLANO The Champion Adams Sturgeon doesn't have to worry about shav- ing yet and isn't even close to getting is driver's license. So because be's not old enough to do certain tbings, should playing junior hockey be automatically added tothe list? '[hase closest to Use situation say 'no'. "On Ue ice 1 don't really feel like a 14-year-old," remarked Use baby face, defenceman of the Milton Merchants, wbo won't tum 15 until Marcb. 've been around older players for many years and am very mature for my age." Rfis faUser - former NHLer Peter Sturgeon, wbo now coacbes thse OHL expansion Mississauga IceDogs - admits Uat recent criticism over hockey fast-tracking isn't without merit. However, be doesn't believe imposing a minimum age requirement on junior leagues is Use answer. "As a rule of tbumb they (14 and 15-year-olds) sbouldn't be playing at that level, but in some instances it's okay," lie said. "Like anything else, it sbould come down to Use individual." Based solely on Uat, it's a lot more difficult to sug- gesat young Adams doesn't belong in a Merchants' jersey. After alI, be bas played beyond is age level ever since be flrst laced up a pair of skates. -Wben I was seven 1 bad two nine-year-old friends who were going out for novice rep," Adains ecaled. "I tried out with them and ended up making the teain. "Since Uen, I've always been at least one year up 50 this (the jump to Tier 2 Jr. A) isn't coming out of left field." Tbrough his father's Pro Bound prograns - which operates out of Milton Memorial Arena - he's asso- ciated with several professional players including Jamie Storr and Scott Walker. He says this off-season training wiUs higbly motivat- ed players has helped boîster bis maturity and confi- dence levels. Wbile as competitive as anyone else, Adamn stressed that he didn't go into the Merchants' camp with expectations of making Use club. Simply giving it is ail and having some fun were Use only goals he set for himself. Conflnned bis dad, 1I told im not to put any pres- sure on imself." Adain said with Use exception of Use occasional joke about is age - like inquiring about how playing on the jungle gym at school was that day - the Mechants have been generaily supportive about hav- ing him on board. "The team leaders in particular, like Kevin O'Flaheity and Nathan GiUies, have kind of taken me under tieir wing," he explained. - e HOLDING on page 21 By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion1 The Merchants have scored a major blow against one of the few teams capable of terminating their championship reign. In front of a sparse crowd at Victoria1 Park Arena Tuesday, they were defensive-1 Iy respousible ail eveuing and offensively1 fierce when necessary. What resulted from the mix was a 3-2 victory over the always feisty Bramalea Blues. Blueliner Ken Robins capped a highly eutertaining showdown by roofiug the Condren Sitting this race out Wbile harness racing's top two and three-year-old borses assemble tomorrow evening at Virginia's Colonial Downs for the $3.4 million U.S. Breeders Crown, Steve Condren will only be able to catch it on television. The Milton dri- ver has been out of action since being injuredin a race early this month at . Mohawk. He was Steve Condren aboard four-year- old pacer DiJ. Emo when another horse, Pound Puppy, made a sudden break in front of im and scattered the field. Everyone involved, except Condren, came away unscathed. "I won't be back for a few days yet," he said this past week. "Lt feit like 1 had bro- ken ribs but the x-rays proved negative. I'm still just sore and it hurts to move around. Hopefully, by Monday I can get back." Condren was scheduled to drive Armbro Scorpion in thse $340,700 Two-Year-Old Colt Trot as well as Stonebridge First - who he co-owns - in the $480,000 Tbre-Year-Old Filly Pace. A total of 25 horses with Canadian con- nections wiIl race in the eight Breeders Crown cbampionsbips. Tbe card will be simulcast at Mohawk and Woodbine beginning at 7:40 p.m. game-winner pasi hometown goaltender Nathan Marsters with only eight seconds left in regulation. Making the play was spark plug Nathan Gillies, who forechecked well throughout the game and shoveled the puck out in front one final time to initiate the dramatic finish. "Lt was about time that paid off," said the jubilant assistant captain of the exceptional corner work that helped the Merchants post their l7th win. "We concentrated on the fundamentals tonight, like strong defence and good physical play. "Staying mentally focused was impor- tant as well. (Bramalea's) Mike Cammalleri and Kyle Amyotte yap a lot and can get to you if you' re flot careful." Gregg Carrigan, Milton's president and defensive coach, said clogging up the neu- tral zone and winning the physical batties are the keys to beating a smaller team such as Bramalea on a tighter ice surface like Victoria Park. His club was largely successful in both regards as Ryan Eby and Ryan Carrigan constantly thwarted Bramalea's rushes at mid-ice, while just about everyone con- tnibuted to wearing down their hosts. Further strengthening the defence were captain Kevin O'Flaherty and Mike Wbeelihan, who won numerous face-offs in their own end and during penalty killing. Rookie Chris Rowan redirected a perfect cross-ice pass by Gîllies midway tbrough the second to get the Merchants on -the board before Blues' sniper Anthony Aquino potted a sborthanded tally prior to intermission. Bramalea went ahead at the 10:02 mark of the third - with Patrick Barbieni bury- ing a long range wnister - but surrendered the equalizer five minutes later when Ryan Robicbaud tipped in a short feed by Eby on the doorstep. Dansel Jacques stopped 31 shots on the night and lowered bis goals-against aver- age to 2.80. He was particularly effective against Aquino, denying im on seven of eight chances, including a first-period breakaway. Also impressive for the victors were defencemen Dave Csumrik and Carter Trevisani. Merchant notes: Before last night the Merchants and Capitals were tied atop the West Conference. The two heavyweights wiil hook up in Brampton tomnorrow night ..MNilton has won their last seven ganses and given up just 17 goals ... Tonight they host the Streetsville Derbys. M Hwy. 25 & Derry Rd. 875m4890 AL 0