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SPORTS Blues have Milton backed in a corner By STEVE LeBLANO The Champion The Merchants must now take a page from last year's success story if they hope to deliver a sequel. In 1998 Marty Williamnson's troops overcamne a 2-0 second round deficît against Oakville. Heading into action tonight at Memnorial Arena, the Merchants finds themnselves in a simnilar predicamnent after dropping gamnes one and AIL_ two of the conference finals to the Bramnalea Blues. w Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Territorial dispute MIIton'a Lae Frlttenburg (rlght) flghta for poaaession against an Arthur opponient durlng aec- ond antry major paewaa action Saturday at Memorlal Arana. The Wintsrhawka clobbered their gueata 10-1 . Sa. minor hockey roundup for more detala. YSkater injured, season over' The Canada Winter Gaines were extremely painful for Milton's Elizabeth Wild - in more ways than one. Not only did the 16-year-old speed skatcr fail to capture any medals but she hardly escape competition with ail ber limita intact. She was about to pass an opponient during thc 500- metre finals wben another skater abead of tbem slippcd and causcd a chain-reaction pilcup. As a resuit she caught a skate along ber left tricep, which cut both Uic muscle andi brancb artery. Wild was airlifted to a hospital in Comnerbrook, Ncwfoundland and later transferred to one in St. John's wbcre she underwent cmergency surgery to repair to damage. "TMe operation was a success but my season's over now and it's really disappointing," she said, after returning home. "I was feeling great about tbe (Canada Wintcr) Gaines and stili bad provincials and nationals to tbink about. I one shot it was ail over for me.", Wild was a Northi American age class champion in 1997 and held Ontasio's fastest rime in Uic 500m lasi year. Race around Hamilton bay Tbere's stili plenty of rime to sign up for the annual be on display. Around the Bay road race, whicb is schcduled for This ycar' s race is expected to draw upwards of Sunday, March 28 in Hamilton. 3,000 participants. Around Uic Bay is one of Uic oldeat running events Registration for the event - wbich features both in North America, with a 105-year bistory. Race 5km and 30km runs - can be donc througb memorabilia dating back to Uic tumn of Uic century wili Oakville's Running Company by calling 815-1952. The way things are going. it'll take something every bit as inspiring as the unforgettable double overtime winner by captain Kevin O'Flaberty - tbe original sbamrock supplier - to get tbem out from under. Stili, Milton hasn't pusbed the pantic but- ton just yet. "Mhe one thing going for us is that titis happened Iast year and we battled past it:," said sophomore defencemnan John Nsdalin, whose teain Iost 5-3 and 5-2 this past weekend. "(We) veterans know we can do it again. The key is getting that tbmough to the first-year guys and making sure they stay relaxed and focused." Offence absent The big story so fair, besides pointless game-ending brawls, was the Merchants' non-existent offence. The defending champs have yet to score ai even strength while their third-period dominance - the trump card in round two against Georgetown - bas taken an hI- timed hiatus. Despîte a 37-14 shots on goal advantage during gaine two Sunday ai Victoria Park Arena, Milton couldn'tjam the front of the Blues' net and made things rather easy for opposing cager Nathan Maraters. A mid-evening lapse and Iack of effort in the corners hadt a hand in their demise as welI. Four powerplay goals, including a pair at 5-on-3, plus a systematically risk-free defensive effort, gave Bramalea the win and an early stranglebold in the beat-of- seven clasb. Goals by Anthony Aquino and Scott Neil put tbem ahead within the first four minutes of play. Providing an insurmount- able cushion in the second period were Anthony Dynack and Chris Sebastian - wbo stood out with a bai trick two nigts earlier in the series kickoff. Delivering Bramalea's final tally was captain Kyle Amyotte, who spearheaded a superb penalty killing campaign in the third wben bis guests had four chances witb the man-advantage but capitalized just once. The Merchants' marksmen were Rob Meanchoff and Geoff Schomogyi. O'Flàberty assisted on eacb. Jeremy Wenzel was chased from the net after surrendening tbree goals on seven shots. The last of these was a blueline floater that sbould have been a routine save. Replacement Daniel Jacques was challenged! an equal number of times and was beaten with powerplay goals four minutes Spart. Friday at Memorial, Milton sleepwaked tbrough mucb of gaine, one - falling vic- tim to the Blues' effective yet boring style of play, wbicb subdued hometown fans and players alike. The aides traded powerplay goals until Bramalea's Alex Ward broke an evening long stalemate at 3:22 of thc third. Jacques was beaten on bis bottom sheif rebound after an initial toc block on Neil, who fin- ished tbe gaine witb four assists. The go-abead goal and a powerplay opportunity for the Merchants two minutes later were botb met witb stunning silence fmom the near capacity crowd. Sebastian's empty net insurance markcr with seven seconds remaining ignited a donnybrook - thc first of two, with more iikcly on thc way. Scoring leader Ed McGrane tallied twice in the series opener and Nathan Gillies chipped in a single. Defenceman David Csumrik - whosc temper earned him an early ejection Sunday - picked up a pair of assists. Shots on net in gaine one favourcd Uic a ee TOUGH on page 18 '99 TOYOTA COROLLA oRCh:u m ~tlIHflUll, i UUWdEYg IYfl.iI lU, IWWC 11 0N Estabishod Since 1989 B78-9293 3006 Derry Rd. W. ......> Suite 203 ..... (across t rugi the Huspital) 9 - à