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Te Canadian Champion, Fnday, November 27, 1998 -21 Newmarket can offer a glimpse of the future Believe it or not, the Merchants' first shot at a title defence is (nly four wecks away, With aIl thse awards bestowed on Milton last scason, many tans might have forgotten that the annual Newmarket Showcase chans- pionship was one of them. WVhile the hoiday tournaunent triumph didn't quite feature thse saine Ioopla as thse handful of honours that followed, it was nev- ertheless an outstanding achievement and provided a window into the incredible spring Milton would enjoy. Avid followers will remember how a number of local players camne to the frefront during thse six games in four days stretch and positioned themnselves for future success. Among themn was highly valued utiity man CIsad Blundy, who before last year's toumament had been mediocre at best. As it tumed out, he ended up becomidng one of the tcam's most reiable playoff performers - not to mention the most versatile - and it was thse Newmarket Showcase that first brought his true Worth to light. One can only hope that the samne type of transformation is in the works for a couple of this year's newcomers. The tournanent always seems to be met with lukewarmn reac- tions by coaches and players (many of whom would rather have a longer holiday break) but just as often serves notice about who is willing to go that extra mile. Aîthough last season marked the only time a Newmarket Showcase winner went on to capture subseq.uent tities, thse tourna- ment's vîctor always seems to be in the league chamnpionship pic- ture each spring. This year's event may also include the latest instaliment in a bit- ter rivahry between the Merchants and Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats - who've hooked up in the AI-Ontario finals the past two years. SIsould they advance by the round-robin portion of things, the clubs will meet in the quarterfinals. Mlton is slotted in Division D, which offers competition against Auburn, Oakviîle and Durham. The toumament includes most Tier 2 Jr. A level Ieavyweights including Bramalea, Brampton, Newmarket and Elliot Lake who've quickly become a force inithse Northern League. Christmas is juat amound the comner, so what do you get for the team that has juat about everything? Simple, another sniper. For alI their strengths tIse Merchants seem to lack a second or Up Front third imer capable of scoring on a nightly basis. Mark Beisel, Ryan Eby and Mike Wheelihan Iave.plenty of offensive talent but have tun hot and cold lateîy. Besides, theses guys have other responsibilities, including defence and penalty killing.c Milton needs somneone whose main focus and aptitude ies int burying thse biscuit. Geof Schomogyi can't be expected to lead5 them every gaine.r Fmnding a big, strapping defenceman in their stocking wouîd be great as well.t The Merehants' blueline unit is perhaps the most mobile in the1 league but severely lacks size - a shortcoming which could be costly in a late playoff set-les agamnst an aggressive teans. Thse Merehants have been IigIly successful at continuing a cou- ple of trends from last year's chanipionship drive, which speaksi well of their chances at staying on top. First and foremoat is their reiable wear and tear strategy, which has met with tremendous results over the past few weeks. Milton has always prided itself on being able to tire out their opponents to the point of rendering them ineffective and vuhiera- Peewee goalies ai e from SECOND on page 20 Complimenting Bemdt's two-goal performance was a firat- period tally by Matthew Binnington. Jacob Demarsh drew an assist in each contest. Splitting the netminding duties were Brendan Duke and Michael Sullivan. Milton now sits at 8-2-4 on the season. Solid in net Goaltending bas been the Lafarge single A major peewees' strong suit recently in authoritative wins over Guelph (9-2), Hespeler (7-2) and Orangeville (3-0). IMMON., NOVEMBER 23, 1998 TEAM Remax Hunt Shoppers Loblaws Austin Noble Canadian Tire GoId Connection Gorrud Rebekah Lodge Becton Dickinson Absolute Transport Clarke's Golf McCuaig lnsurance Ross Dixon Wimpy's Diner G. D. Controls lnc. Knuckles Sportshop Charlie Fitzwhiskeys Mat-mac Trailer Services Milton Dodge Jeep Avanti Auto Tech Ross Dixon Fin. Gus Mowbray Kentucky Fried Chicken Culligan Goodlife Fitness MINOR NOVICE WINS LOSS 4 1 3 2 2 3 1 4 MAJOR NOVICE 4en/a 1 2 2 2 3 1 /a 3 ATOM POINTS 9 7 5 5 8 6 5 3 10 6 6 4 2 9 8 7 7 4 10 6 3 2 2 BANTAM 3 4 3 3 2 O SENIORS 5 3 3 am~Li~I kk 18 1SIOMPSON ROAD, tUNYt- M.,MILTON 4vltW"&âtIs . UO-UT -733100 Nipssing Road, Undt 9, Mifton (905 876-4647 - ble by the third peniod. In this respect the 1997-98 Merchants have picked up night whcre their predecessors lett of f. Over their last eight gaines thse defending provincial champs have outscooed the competition 16-2 in the final framne - with Bramalea and Brampton counting one goal each. Secondly, the Met-chants have yet to lose on thse road this season and are 10-0-2 in opposition bains. This is a highly reassuring trend, particularly if Milton reaches thse lacer stages of thse playoffs, where home ice advantage may flot be forthcoming. Apparently there's no limit to, the number of ridiculous dcci- sions thse Ontario Hockey Association can pump out. In order to complete a final four in this year's semnifinal round of the Provincial Jr. A League playoffs - since there are only three divisions - tIse conférence loser with the best regular sea- son record will be allowed back in for one more shot at thse brass ring. This is a truly idiotic ruling when you consider the winner of the Northero League will juat be waiting around and would be a perfect fourth to this little scenario. As it stands, they'll be allowed to walk right into tIse AIl- Ontario finals picture, having played only Isalf (or maybe even a third) tIse number of gaines thse Provincial Jr. A champs will have completed. And who ever Iseard of a teain losing a series and still advanc- ing? It would be more fair - although not as lucrative for team owners - to have a three-team round robin for thse league crown. But in ahl fairness, tIse league has planned on shortening the opening round - likely to a best of five. This is a move (aibeit a small one) in the right direction, since round one rarely offers much in the way of exciting or competitive hockey. re looking sharp Aaron Clarke and Cralg Patterson were both terrific in the cage to establish a 1.3 goals-against average over this stretch and pushed their teain to 8-4-3. Leading offensively were Mark McL.eod and Lee Frittenburg, who had five and four goals respectively over the three gaines. Tyler Holman contrtbuted three goals while Daniel Wetselaar and Brett Taylor tallied. twice. Strong in split The Action Trailers single A minor peewees showed a lot of Isustle in a two-gaine aplit this past weekend. Goalie Mark Strazdins recorded his first goose egg while Phil Foley paced tIse offence with three goals and two assists in a 9-0 annihilation of Arthur. NoIe Coutrouzas also bagged a hat-trick, with a two-goal, two- assist contribution thrown in by Steve Ellîson. Potting thse other tally was Kyle Thomas. Next up were the top seated Ancaster Avalanche, who despite aIl their weapons were only able to eclipse tIse hard-working Winterhawks 2-1. Mike Sanders was superb in thse cage while Jake Madansky and Grant Taylor set up thse lone marker by Thomas. Rearguards rally Rearguard Paul Cianfrini and Corey Syvret each tallied and turned in suffocating defence in thse AAA major novices' 3-1 win over Brampton last week. Sinking the other marker was Eric Deckers, who also drew an assist. Halton was equally impressive in their own end against Oakville, whomn they trimmed 2-1 on goals by David Dunbar and Brett Reynolds. Sharing the netminding duties over thse two gaines were Kyle McClure and Matthew Mingay. M fELECIOLYS is C Permanent Haïr Removal for Men & Womn VAihVeriabloSwedizaiion ~ Facial eBikini. *Eyebrow -*Arms Legs e Underarms LENEA C. MORLEY C.E. Groduate cf ECC FREE Consultation byAppointrnent 348 Maplewood Cres. Milton i 1