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24- The Canadian Champion, Tuêaday, February 8, 2000 Fax yaurMini stili lighting it up SpoftS '/Haydar enjoys strong sophomore season By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion Darren (Mini) Haydar was neyer one to let media praise and adulation go so his head. So why would he feel any differently about the pessimistic press that cir- culated tbroughout university hockey circles Iast fali? MacKinnonse Waterfalls & Ponds lis MOINbpvàO TO MacinnonP@nds.com OtrV- -77-1 t1aivî 8-t E. 1'lsWvi s+0re wi11 be closed. -rteacý/avrk40e - 80 NOw4 & 5av'el 1,2 oFF 112,4 OFF 112 OFFP 112 oFF 112 oFF OPUf MUIU. & 1111. S AMM S "A a 3AflNID 9 AM 104 PM For our Webelte information or our Spring Catalogue cali Rav at 1-905-876-2836 724 ~ ~ ~ ~ * Mai St:.Mlo 1958623 Steve Le0lanc at 878-4943. Thse simple fact is, he didn't. "hle NCAA scribea hinted at the possihility of a sophomore jinx, the sharp shooting right Winger took it ail with a grain of sait - reserving emotions for the ice, where theae days he's ail but completely silenced critics concerning the idea of a year two letdown with the-New Hampshire Wildcats. "t haven't hesrd much about since early in the sea- son," said the diminutive scorer, before taking on Memrmack Friday. I really didn't put pressure on myself to outdo st year's performance. The numbers aren't there every gamte, but thinga are going good." The Merchants' ali-time goal and points leader may not be lighting it up every night - like he did as a freshman - but given the realities of this aeason's team, it's hsrd so suggest he't taken any kind of a step bsck. "Darren doesn't have a playmaking centre anymore, plus we've got more depth so he'a not seeing quite as much ice time," explained big brother Jeff, who's practicing with the teamn but ineligible to compete until next year because his prior connection to the Laurier Golden Hawks. "Considering thst, he'a really having a good year." No longer skating with s premier player like Jason Krog, Haydar's numbers were bound to drop a little. And in actuality, a little is ail they have. Heading in action againat Maine Sunday. UNH's top scorer was juat five goals shy of hia output at this time last season. With 18 goals and over a month left in the regular season, he still stands a chance of matching bis rookie counit of 27. The same goes for bis point total, wbicb after 27 gantes plsyed aits at 32 -just 18 fewier than be bad ail last year. "I feel I'm doing as well as last season," said Haydar, wbo before Sunday bsd four goals and an assiat in bis last tbree games. 've got to, leamn to be more patience witb the puck, but overaîl my gsme's going well." .M 1LTO0N L A CRO0S SE A s'sOCI1A TIO0N: ELCOMES BOY D GIRLS TO O 2000 SEASON ear 2000 MAILING A1DORESS: Season * LAcROSSE April 10 *AUuocIATIrON 4 420 MAIN STREET SOFT DI VISION: IST REGÏsTRtATiON 200 45,6 Voars of age/'94.'85,'9(3 MLT--ON MALL_ Season starts 0: PRtIDAY, FEB. 1 1 / 5 - 8 P.M. TYKE DIVISION. sATuRD>AY, FEB3. 12 / 9:30 - 4 P.M -ý April 10 * 7 &S8Yars of age/'92.'93 NEW REGISTRANTS. PLEASE DRING .0000 DINTII CERTIFICATES/MEKALTII CAROS TO MALL! For Registration: NO VICE DIISON PARENTS, PLAYERS - WE WILI. REQUIRE YOUR IfrainCi: 9 & 0 Varaof ae/'0.'1 ~ Pd*TE~ST~*ftNl** Dave Peppiat - 878-9397: PEEWEE DIISON .E.EMSRIJIURE for flouJs[EEJ: Vice-President of House Leaaue :11 &à 12 Voars of lage/'BO,'89 $750 (7- 15 YEAR OLUS) / S70.00 for 2nd (kild!!! Daniel Brisebois - 876-2490: SANAMDIVSIAf: 54.00 for 3rd of more in faimily!!! Vice-President of Rep Leasue : :13,14,15 Vears of age/'85,'88,'87nruhcîAî. s* 2 0 NOTE: 3 YEAR; AGE RANGE IN BANTAM >-- HUS L-GE 00 MIGE RE) IISON S40.00 OD>Season starýts e :15 & 16 Vears of age/'84,'85(45nd6YRApl10 * NOTE: PRICES HAVE BEEN REDUCED FOR THE 2000 LACROSSE SEASONSS Hig back Eci Predt about anda shots rece .1S Just little Tht on thi playo De fouri top 1 retun "1,X got tt Hayd Fila photo by PETER TH-OMPSON h flylng Darren (MIni) Haydar hec beaten the sophomnore jlnx thîs sason. hoing those commenta are the Nashville ators. The NHL aquad bas expressed optimism the progresa of their ninth round draft pick - renIt looking to alter bis game much, if any. ley talk about me getting faster and talcing more IHaydar remarked, reading from bis most tletter from the pro club. ,eed is the main thing I'm concentrating on now. about every player at any level can stand to be s quicker." locai sar ahould bave plenty of time to improve at since UNH looks ready for another lengtby if drive. tpite being on a five-game winless streak - with ies and a lots - the Wildcsts remain among the 0 achools in the country and are looking for s trip to the Frozen Four. Iere a team tisas tbrives on its effort. We've just ocome ready to play for those big games," said lar. - sports Skater at nationals Milton's Caryl Sinasac delivered a solid performance in ber firat appear- ance at the Canadian Skating Championahipa last week in Calgary. Together will patiner Jason Dietrich of Kitchener, tbe local teen placed l3tb overaîl in novice pairs. The duo, were one of tbe least experienced teamas competing and were believed to be the only ones debuting at the nationals. Dietrich and Sinasac - a Bishop Reding Secondary School fresbman who was plagued by injury last season - won thse sectionals two montha ago and went on to place fourtb at December's Eastern Canadian Divisionals. Rough ride The HJM Insurance Brokers' girls curling tesm bave had a slow start as the junior nationals in Moncton. 'Me two-time provincial winners - wbo include skip Julie Reddick, Leigb Armstrong, Stephanie Leacbman and Karen Vachon - dropped draws one and two Saturdsy. Tbey were doubled by British Columbia 8-4 in tise opening contest, giving up tbree points in the first end and neyer reslly finding their groove fromt that point on. From shere, tbey stepped tisinga up a notch for round two but were trimmed by Nova Scotia 6-5. is Job 1 irrW,