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le The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, January 25, 2000 AA minor bantams squander Midgets start the late lead to start the playoffs playoffs, in style Milton's AA minor bantamas battled to a 3-3 stalemate with Burlington Saturday St Memorial Mena. The Tri County Playoff opener featured sorte spirited play and a whole lot of roughbousing down the stretch. The Grand Transport Winterhawks squandered a two- goal lead in thse final few minutes and had to settie for tise tie. Mark Wilson scored first for the locals and later assisted on a final tally by Lee Frittenburg. Also denting the twine was Eric Lizon while chipping in single helpers were Wayne Bensan, David Brown and Chris Coates. Goaltender Tim Johnston was rock solid between thse pipes. He and his opposing counterpart deliv- ered temrfic saves through tise opening two periods. Milton scored ail] three goals -- two on well znarked sîashots -- in the latter half of thse night and then peraevered through an especially chippy third period. Rep Hockey Tykes tie again Milton's tykes just can't seem ta buy theiselves enougs goals ta come out aisead tisese days. But at least their not falling behind either. Thursay, they tallied twicr and finished up deadlocked witis Brampton. This marked-tise lateit in a long series of draws or one-goal decisions the team had been involved with Uiis season. Michael Sgarbossa -- one of their mast reliable snipers -- deposited both goals with help fromn play makera Scott Dermott and Brandon Haggart. . Offering robust performances for the local rink rats throughout the spirited clash were teammates Dustin Christo, Eleanor Pineau-Levman and Mackenzie Zuest. 'Canes outdlstanced Sniper Eric Deckeri potted a hat-trick, but his lialton AAA minai atoma couldn't quite measure tsp offensively ta Welland in a 7-5 lois recently. Alsa scaring were Josh Brittain and David Dunbsar. Jeremy Wick drew a couple of assista, with single helpers gaing ta Jesse Madzelewski and Geoff Strank. Frain there thse team ended thse regular seasan with another dawner - falling ta, the physically daminating Grey-Bruce Highlanders 6-3. Wick tallied twice with tise other goal depoiited by Deckers. Modzeiewski had a pair af assista. Cisipping in ane apiece were Dunbar and Jason Church. The Hurricanes wili kick aff their pravincial play downs againat Bramptan. Hawever, thse lirst round scisedule has not yet been determined. ay SUVEt L*BLANO 7'he chJoft Milton's AA nsldgets were short on bodies but long on desire at Milton Memorial Mena Saturday. T'Me latri moe tan mà ufeth am'a depeted tanks as they opesedTri County league playoff action by spanking the Brampton Battall.on5-l1. Tise Spectnim Airways Winterhawks' durability was their pnsnaay 'weapos ail nigisi - especially in thse second period, haif of which they spent shorllsanded and still effectively held off any potential conseback bids. "Mhat (lack of playera) was certainly a concein beforehand, ,but the guys really came ibraugs and playeti a gooti gaine," sait! assistant Gord Gent, who taok thse head coaching reins froin a tempQrarily absent Jin Marshsall. D'espite being underataffed andi facing anc of thse top squada in thse division, tise local lad enjoyed their biggest offensive output in five weeka. Milton's passing proficiency was heati and slsoulders above that of tise visitora - as was their work ethic in the cornera and overall posilional play. Andrew Kirkland tallied twice to lead tise victory parade and helped set up linemnate Jordan Jeans in tise openlng minute of thc third. Jeans also finisised wits thîc points - as did Darryl Langstone who assisted on goals tisree, four an fiye to put the ganse ou( of rmach. Alao ligisting thc lamp were ICais Beal and Derek Mewhinney. Mike Austen, Evan Jeans, Rick Nadalin, Justin Tingley andi Mewhinney ail had single helpers. Backstopping Milton was Joss Arnoldi. He made two dozes savea overali, including one on a penalty sisot with fBye minutes left tisat was casily turneti aside. Tise'Hawks, whose win snapped a two-garne losing sta, stilI aren't surv who Uiey'll be facing in Uic round one of Uic provincial play downs. tWhy did the chicken éross i the rood? cPINI Iý~ &To live longer. By walking across the road, thse chicken gained a heaithier heort and lungs and a positive attitude. aw.goodwrench.gmeanada.com Hohe DOGM-DRIVE ureý Fax your'sports reports to Steveqý LeBlanc at 878-4943.