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The Canadien Chanýpion, Tuesday, December 1, 1998 --21 SPORTS Even uninspire d, y r-- -Milton gets a win 5v STEVE LeBLANC The Champion In a season ripe with ever changing variables, victory remains the constant for the Jr. A Merchants. k Guessing just how the defending league champs will put another one in the win column has been a tait order this year and often tougher than the team actually scoring the two points. Their unpredictability reared up again this past weekend. Photo by GRAMAM PAINE In the swing of things Bdrttany Schrad.r ges amufti. h.lp on the unevmn bers from coach Kathisen Thrlng et the Milon Springei's Gymneetlc Club sidile day for klndergym parecpente Seturday momlng. Klindergym la the workout progrmm for the. youngest club members. Milton couldn't have looked any differ- ent in games 25 and 26 - which brought the opening haif of the 1998/99 campaign to a close - except, that is, after the final whistle when identical celebrations were forthcoming. Sunday at Central Mrena, the Merchants used a defensive gem to knock off Burlington 3-1 and regain sole possession of first place in the West Conference. Standout performances by Chris Bahen, Mats Bannan and Ryan Carrigan allowed opposing snipers three rebounds aIl night and only a dozen shots at even strength. Hopes of a shutout were spoiled with 1:24 left, when Jeremy Wenzel surren- dered a top shelf snapshot while his hosts enjoyed their sixth powerplay of the con- test. Until that point the third-year cager had done a great job reading the play and cut- ting down the angle in a 24-save triumph. While struggling offensively, the Merchants received an all-inspiring effort plus two goals from Ryan Robichaud. Fourth fime centre Ryan Stewart continued to produce as well, driling a top night cor- ner bullet in the dying moments of the first peniod to put them on the scoreboard. A I 6-year-old graduate of the MTHL Toronto Marlies, Stewart is now on a five- gaine scoring streak and has matched fel- low rookie linemate Chris Rowan with 1l goals on the season. "A couple of weeks ago against Brampton coach (Marty) Williamson put me on the penalty killing unit and that real- ly boosted my confidence," be said. "It feels great to be scoring again." For the most part, Stewart's recent surge has provided key goals in tight games. Friday at home bowever, bis tbird-period marker was just another nail in a 9-4 coffin the Merchants built for basemient dweling Mississauga. On a might wbere losing was almost a non-issue, Milton abandoned ail but their scoring gaine and more or less sank to their opponents' level. Offensive depth sbone tbrough with nine different locals denting the twine and a Jtotal of 14 collecting points. Goals went to Baben, Bannan, Robichaud, Rowan, Stewart, Mark Biesel, Carter Trevisani, Mike Wheelihan and captain Kevin O'Flaherty - who sits top five in West Conference scoring with 55 points. Milton exploded witb five goals in the opening frame, four within a six-minute span. Former teammate Rich Williams sank a palr on the powerplay to pace tbe visitors' offence. Guarding tbe net for the Merchants was Daniel Jacques, wbo now bas 10 wins. Merchant notes: Milton remains unbeaten on the road and sports a goals- against average of exactly 3.00.. Homegrown sophomore Mike Wheelihan is now up to 14 goals and 35 assists wbite boasting a club leading plus-minus of 33.. The Mechants are in Streetsville tonight and host Hamnilton Friday. Saturday tbey travel to Alcott Arena to face the Georgetown Raiders, wbo are playing .500 hockey for the flrst time in more tda five years.