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Iê-'l'hé Canadian'Cha{pion, Tuesçday, Apul à, 200 1 Losing weekend puts j Jr. Merchants on the brink of elimination --At rest and at play A Deaoa Garage TV player (above> trie to eplit the defense of Briansa Auto Repair during atomn cham- plonehlp play whlle (et lefi) Timbit Whlte'a Jack Goncz, 5, awals hNe tum durlng the beginners' gaine et Saturday'e Milton Minor Hockey House League Chemplonshlp Day et Memorlal Areua. For anoth- or photo nd fui resuits of the houee leigue seeson finale, -e pege 19. Photos by GRAHAM PAINE By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion The Merchants' greatest alIy heading into battie Iast night was a good short term memory. Set to host the offensively potent Couchiching Terriers, Milton faced elimi- nation in semnilinal play -with a three- games-to-two series deficit. Just 15 days earlier the local juniors were iu a similar predicament, yet overcame it to topple the then defeuding league champion Brampton Capitals. So the plan was fairly straightforward- remember what il took f0 prevail last lirne and use that f0 tashion a corneback sequel. -What if cornes dowu f0 is haviug the sarne will against these guys that we did against Brampton," stressed sktpper Glenn Walsh. -We've got f0 corne in ernotionally and mentally prepared." Not enough finish Milton delivered its two highest shot couts of the playoffs over the wcekeud but weren't rewarded on the scoreboard losiug 4-3 Friday at horne and 4-1 Sunday aftemoou at the Rama MASK. The Merchants held early teads tn both confesîs unttl second-period lctdowns tumed the tide. Up north Sunday, Walsh's charges gave up a couple of powerplay goals - the lîrst of whicb was ouly awarded upon review - and another just after a penalty bad expired. Rernarked Miltou's bench boss, "You can't make mistakes agaiust these guys, their powerplay's just too dangerous.- Captain John Nadalin made the flue deposit with a blueline blast rnidway through the openiug frame. Que period laler his list of' aches aud pains was added te, witb a uasty slasb across the forearmn by teadiug scorer Jason Pinizzotto. A five-minute man-advautage was assessed f0 the visitors -who werc repeatedly tumned back by the fundamen- fally souud Terriers. Pinizzotto assisted ou hts club's final three goals, includiug the winuer by Jaro Wojcickt. Couchichiug's other tnarksmen were Daryl Bat,. Beau Moyer and captain David Wrigley. Two nigbts earlier at Mernorial Arena, Milton was stuck in neutral tbrougb usucb of the second hall. A 2-0 advautage was subsequeutly surreudered - as was a two- games-to-one sertes lead. Powerplay ailing A puuchless powerplay and rashs ot stop py breakout passes styrnied the hosts Irons the rnidway mark on. Shane Remenda uetted bis sec- und of the series and seventb 0fthe playotîs early in the third to draw withîn one of Couchichiug. Kevîn Arruda -celebrating bis 171h bîrtbday scored belore the gante was two minutes old and ltrset-up scoring leader Andy Rozak. Bat tallied twice for the Terriers. Singles weut to Wrigley and Sean Burke. Both team's scored shortbauded goals in game four - witbiu a fOve-minute span during secoud-period play. Joel Cameron weatbered a few s10005 to keep thiugs close in both coutests - the biggest of whicb carne in gaine five, when be tumed aside the Terrier's first 15 shots. Should Milton have staved oIt1elirnina- tion last nigbt, a seventh and deciding game will be played tonîgbt at the Rama MASK. Game timne would be 7:30 p.rn. Waitiug in the wiugs are the Thombill Rattlers, wbo kuocked off Trenton in fise garnes 10 reacb the Provincial Jr. A League finals. Merchant notes: Audy Rozak's playoffî point total stood at 40 goiug into action last uigbt ... Captain John Nadalin and rookie sensation Kevin Armuda were tied for sec- ond witb 27 points apiece ... Adam Sturgeon fougbî for the second lime in as many trips to the Rama MASK Sunday.. As of last uigbt, the Merchauts were 0-for- 12 on the powerplay. gotug back to the first period of garne tbree ... In Nortbem League play, Rayside Balfour and Sault Ste. Marrie are tted oue garne a piece in tbeir cbampionship series. c<D>TOYOTA Corne Join Us For Exceptional Savings During 400 STrEELEs AVE. à0 1 -oNi wwwv. mi Itorito)yot«a.O> 905-875-1i7Q0 SIEE DUR: jAD O>NTrHIE EACK PÀAG3E mec;t a«Wmt- &týawne