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The Canadien Champion, Tuesday, February 15, 2000 -21 IVerchants-Cougars series tied 1-1 By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion Nobody said it was going to be easy. The Merchsnts were the better hockey club for most of the weekend, but that wasn't quite reflected on the scorebosrd in the opening stages of their first round match with Burlington. Milton, while enjoying the edge in shots on net as well as overaîl special-teams play, came sway with only a aplit from gaines one and two with the Cougars. Each team triumphed on home ice - the Merchants 6-3 Fniday and the Cougars 4-2 Sunday. Unlike the previous two times they were vanquished at Central Arena, Milton's effort wasn't to blame for the lois Sunday. A couple of mental miscues by the defense put themn behind before the game was nine minutes old and over the balance of the evening they were repeatedly turned slde by crafty cager Matt Cifelli. "I thought we outplayed them in most areas tonight, we juat didn't get rewarded for it," said coach Marty Williamnson. The Merchants' skipper was encouraged by a lot of different aspects of bis club's performance over the wcekend, including a revitalized powerplay that accounted for thoee quartera of their scoring. But at the sani time, hie was noticeably frustrated with bis opponents' obstructive style that went unpunished for most of Sunday. "They (Cougars) were clutching and grabbing ail night," remarked Williamson. -Other than the referee calling it, there's not much that can be dogse. We've just got to keep our feet moving and try to avoid Burlington's Ryan Wilson delivered a couple of goals in game two, including die eventual winner that came on a two-man advantage late in the second. Instigator Kevin Bieksa sealed the deal with a lait-minute empty netter while also scoring was Matt Howard. Ian Malcolm and Richard Peverley replied for Milton. Both scored on the powerplay with help from defenceman Ryan Canigan. At Memorial Arena Friday, Milton answeoed the opening bell of the series in superb fashion. In addition to a potent powerplay. their corner work at both ends of the ice was exceptional while penalty killing efforts were well above par ai well. Merchant blueliners limited their guests to just 21 shots and were rock solid with the gaine still up for grabi in the third. Rearguards Chris Kerr and Adam Merchante goalle Andrew Gibson gala up-.ndsd by Burington's Rymn Wlseon durlng game two Sunday. Milton lost 4-2 end are now tied at one gae a plece wlth the Cougars. Sturgeon finally put lhe visitora on ice with long range empty net markers in-id the lait minute of play. S e s ad r So u fg t Elliot Altberg led with a goal and two assiats while linemate Phil Barski - now Mito' Jef Ied has ben H 11 ng*The>s a lot fsmlartles bacic in tiptop form since his Iengthy hem bf0ms. fced~ this Ib.twee*sthe two siutos 1 reapite for a concuasion - amasaed three Twoyasaoh w11 aO part ofl hadhp sepdu n odtee helpers. the Jr. A Merhat u * h boom - and ~ t1a cai tuÀr d t i Alto Iighting the lamp were Carrigan, triI«d OevD 2-0i oudtwolê ICoi**18 WÇW c ateundl, said the. otsek Peverley and Rob Martin. of the playoff beu~ver<:orn igfl8ytigs osbl. Burlingson's first two goals came from Hen' id isl na - Sed toý jt neonebi gmwtmreai Matt McLellan. Derek Myronuk had the diem ihi pnhm th mo Ise mtstsamn4 Netminder Andoew Gibson worked both in~ the reguJer 8sast bt ar his aidr R~aider wh ,twoplayoff rns games for Milton. Overaîl he stopped 38 beidtepoeaegtbU npesfloigSna' 5- utt4.r.hbelbt .mihdfobin of 44 shots. The series continues tontght at thi pnn on eis ihdfa tOkil' IceSI.t te West nfrec sor~i ace Memonial Arena. Game time is 8 p.m. a nesn lds rn.wt26gisnd8tolpits ~TOYOTA 2000 ECHO -+ Tex Lease Inclau 9 9 frelght & P.D.E. Nicelv equip)ped for $1498140 $1,700 DoSe. FEATURES: e1.5 litre WT-l Engine *5 Speed Matial Tranomlaulon *AMIM Store. CD @Full Wheel Covers *Remote Mirrors eColour Key Bumpers and Door Handies ,<2S> GEO GE OW TOYOTAaaaa ae.F0 am.tasclt aof d.o .0ey a. 9.0SALES40. c0g !800 p8oi.ôTyôC20