The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

The Canadien Champilon, Tueaday, March 21, 2000 - 17 S.P.ORTS Major peewees a, ýtË,roll over Essex By STEVE LeBLANO The Championa Milton's A major peewees decided flot to tempt fate a second[ straight time. After escaping witb an overtime victory at Memorial Arena Saturday night, tbey used a move scrota town - to a much- more cozy John Tonelli Sports Centre - to fortify efforts at both ends of the ice for game two of the beat-of-five OMHA cbanspionship finals. Sunday's wbolesale improvement allowed them to jump out to a comfortable lead and go on to topple the Essex Rayent 5-I. The Action Utility Traiter Winterbawks - one of two local teams currently vying for thse OMHA title - are 110w just one win away from clinching the sertes. But they won't havé the luxury of doing so at home, since the st thre games of the series will bie played this coming week- end in Essex. Coach pleaaed Skipper Eric Ellison knew this would present problema if bis squsd didn't come away from the initial leg of the series witb a lead. Needlesa to say, bie was certainly relieved when the boys stepped thinga up in game two and put a stranglebold on the Rayent. "lIse boys gave a much better effort. AIl three lines were pîaying like tbey sbould," remasised Ellison. "I'd say we were kind of fortunate (to win) Saturday. Getsing that firat goal and showing stronger earîy on reaîîy belped today." Mark Strazdins was exceptional between the pipes in game two, particularîy under heavy tire in the opening frame wben hie made tome superb pad blocks. Historie road There's still time Ieft to sign up for the annual 'Around the Bay' road race, wbicb la sebeduled for Sunday in Hamilton. 'Around the Bay' is one of the oîdest running events anywhere in North America - enjoying a 106-year bistory. Race memorabilia dating back to the turn of the century wiIl be on displsy and available for perusal by ai those wbo sign up at thse Running Company, 118 Thomas St., in Oakviîle. Leading up front with a goal and two ssiats was captain Steve Ellison. Kyle Thomas potted the gaine wmnner, ucking one in the short aide lesa than a ninute into the second period with help rom Ellison. Meanwhile, Milton's other scorers were %hl Foley, Jake Madansky and Jay Price - who provided rock solid defense, as did Sam Tomlinson. The 'Hawks led 1-0 and 4-1 by penioda. [bey outshot Essex 25-24. Whyte knight The previous evening at Memorial, Cory Whyte pulled double duty as both the star and hemo to lifi bis team to a 6-5 decision. Capping a four-point performance, hie led a three-on-none rush and slipped in a backhand fake for the winning goal 2:37 into sudden death. For inuch of the first haîf the locals looked timfid and punchless on the way to falling behind 4-I1. But a goaltending change and ill-timed infractions by their gueta helped turn the tide. Mike Sanders delivered some great clutching cage work down the atretch white his teamnmates amassed lhree power- play goals on a lengshy man-advantage to set the stage for an exciting comeback. Whyte's two talles were complimented by singles from Ellison, Foley, Johnny Murphy and Greg Pepper. Foley, Whyte and Craig Stover each hsd a pair of helpers. Game three of the series will be played in Essex Friday. If necessary, games four and five are set for the following two days. Milton is currently on a six-game win streak, that goes back to the fifth and deciding game of their quarterfinal series with Orangeville. They swept Belleville three strasght to oeach the finals. ract.e Sunday Thia year's race, which featuret both 5 km and 30 km runs, is expected to draw upwards of 3,000 participants. Registration for thse event, can be done in person or by calling the Running Company's Greg McKinnon at 8 15-1952. Race entries will be accepted up to tomorrow at 7 p.m. Thse Running Company alto bota a number of clinica for both beginner and advanced runners. Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Sunday et John Tomilli hai the OMHA finals. f c-f.t y-, "" ~r.y # 2-342 Bronte SI. I fl i.. - hr.- IE