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2 The Canadien Chmion, Friday, April 9,1999 Why complainTh-e playoffformat isfair 'Mis year's Ontario Provincial Jr. A playoff scenario - which ottered one lucky loser new lite through a semitinal wild card seat - was bound to meet with some criticisrn. What's astonishing is just how much negative reaction has corne from local fans, whose own Merchants gained the second chance and should have erased any controversy surrounding il by toppling Collingwood last week. On Monday's SportsZone Live a number of callers bashed Milton, claiming that they didn't deserve to be in the playoffa and tbat the wild card situation wasa ajoke. Simiàlar rumblinga have been heard throughout area arenas over the past week, and flot ail fromn Bramalea Blues followers. Funny thing, I don't remember hearing any complaints when ail this was being decided last year. And don't even think about pleading ignorance because the playoff format waa well publi- cized montha ago in both the newspaper and on television. Sure, having one conference loser advance wasn't ideal, but rd LUne ~> rivng Dive Range os 6621 3rd Line SO (3rd UneSouth ofDerry 693-0303 1iu»lh MBETTER LIVING HOME HEALTH CARE INC. Cordially invites you to meet Fred Dunbar past Head %riner for the Toronto Argonauts SPORTS MEDICINE Open to Physicians, Therapists, Coaches, and Athletes Guest Speakers: - Dr. Glen Hunter Fred Dunbar *M mU um 0cupe m M IMdi om du umt wu WPU MiNm - MM Md ilim un Informai question and answer session to foiiow Apri 14,, 1999 7p Uons Club Hall',4 (Above arena, sîde entrance) 77 Thompson Rd., Milton REFRESHMENTS SERVED R.S.V.P. 875-2458 Brian or Lenna Up front there's nothing unfair about how it was set up. Giving a wild card to the teain with the best playoff winning percentage put everyone on equal footing and forced genuine contenders to take each stage of their playoff mun seriously. Milton did just that - winning ail but one contest on their way to the West Conference finals and taking a couple of wins frorn Brarnalea before eventually falling in six games. The question now is, will fans let the Merchants get past Ibis one blemish in their season or continue beating a dead horse? Say what you will about the legitimacy of a wild card berth, but quise firanly the top two teains - Milton and Bramalea - are currently battling il out for tse league chanipionship and I'd defy anyone to say anything different. 0f course having Use Northern League champs corne down and complete a four-teain semnifinal round would have been a better situation, but that isn't what happened, so rnaybe we should juat deal with that and move on. And maybe local fans should appreciate Use fact Usas Usey can still watch Useir hockey teain compete Usis late in Use season. 1 know hundreds of Georgetown residents who'd trade places match. I-lis smootli transition bo umiversity hockey shouldift be imuch of a surprise though. Nor should the fact that several NHL clubs have expressed interest in the local superstar. I know what you're thinking - Mini's 5'9" and 160 pounda, numbers that don't exactly lit the mold for your prototypical pro- fessional hockey player. But what about Theo Fleury, Sergei Samsonov, Ray Whitney and Donald Audette? Can anyone say pint-size impact player? Fact is, Mini doesn't play like a small guy. He proved that in last year's provincial finals againat the towering Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats and did so agaln this past season. Sure the above rnentioned NHLers are a special breed, but then s0 15 Mini. He's been dominating as every level he's ever played at and has delivered in just about every big gaine over the past few years. Whether or not hie makes it to the show is still any body's guess - I just don't think his size will be the deterrnining factor. Anyway. congratulations Mini. Keep up the good work. It's been months now since local hockey arenas' snack bars were converted into mini convenience stores and I'm still finding new things avaiable there on every single visit. If there's a better concession stand in junior hockey - or hock- ey period, for that matter - I'd like to see it. Memorial Arena ian't just packed wîth a wide variety of fast foods, including every type of candy manufactured in the Western Hemisphere, but it's staffed by enough employees to offer conve- nience as well as selection. And what a great idea to open up food stands at both ends of the rink during Merchant gaines, when some fans like to stick close to their seats for fear of losing them. w una eI4LVL Proprietor Scott Anders should be commended for seeing a golden opportunity and ronning wiUs it. So Mini, what do you do for an encore? That's Use million dollar question following DasTen Haydar'sV à spectacular season with Use University of New Hampshire - who A ixice s l s made it alI the way to Use NCAA charnpionship finals this past Saturday before falling to Maine. Mini did just about everything hurnanly possible during bis flrst Jeif Dolby sure knows how to make a good first impression. year with the teain - winning Hockey East's Rookie of Use Year, In bis inaugural season of Yokohamna Winter Rally car racing breaking freshman scoring records, placing second in the country the 22-year-old Miltonian, along with partner Frank de Kat of for goals and ninth for total points, providing oveitirne hernies in Dundas, took firat overaîl in Use novice clasa. Use quarterfinals and figuring in on boUs UNH goals in Use title With Dolby acting as navigator and de Kat behind the wheel, 7 Daqys A Wesk That's Right! We want te be hate when you nemi us. This year our selection is bigger in: " Fish Food " Pond Aids *Pumps *Filters " Fountains " Aquatic Plants And the list goes on. Takke in a FREE Pond Seminar Give Ray a cal at MacKinnon Waterfalls & Ponds 724 Mai S. E.Mlo me uu uununssu meC îîvc event senes - ciaiming a pair ut furst- place finishes plus a second and third. .They rnissed Use final race, as de Kat was involved on the orga- nizing committee for that one, but already had enough breathing room on the top contenders not to wonry about losing Useir title. Dolby plans to do some racing with fellow Miltonian Ross Wood, who bas guided several teama 50 provincial gold. We have the skills, experience anid guarantee to take the worry out of tax timne. Relax andilet our professionals ensure you get the maximum deductions and tax credits. Expecting a refund? We can make sure you get the money you're entitled to. Faster. Milnoatin 500OLaurierAve. Unit #17 876-4654---- à