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20 - The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, October 30, 2001 SSPORTS <J4ust passiJn through Mflton W lhtstwk Cvalq Hows.et wus Upo aillotn 1 BuIn ton MWgi playo lak foS a br.mkamy dubelnga minor "os motion id MwMMoW Mmi Saday. Bsuvlngom wonttmeImm Photo by GAHAM PAINE Merchants' comeback wncaps weekend split By STEVE L*BLANC The Champion A Merchant win in itself is cause for seri- ous celebration the§e days. But Saturday night the local juniors offered its feus- trated fans a sense of optiniism nos so much as a result of victory - but more so in the way il was delivered. Milton hattled ftom behind for the firat tine ail sea- son - scoring four unanswered goals on thse way to shading the host Georgetown Raiders 5-4. The win - another step toward re- acquiring a playoff spot - featured other encouraging elements, includ- mg a rock solid performance byi Sean Samuel. The Merchants netmmnder hetd opposmng snipers scoreless for almoat two-and-a-half penioda and stoppedai eight shota in the middle stanza to give bis teamimates thse opportunity to raily. Also, Milton killed off Rick Janco's high sticking major at crunch time and were beaten juat once on eight shortbanded stints. Michel Bond provided thse heroics with a tipped shot in low midway through the final framne. He then set up the insurance marker by freshman winger Dan Carcillo. Earlier in thse night, the visiting defense were the impact players with the lion's share of penalties and goals by a retuming Chris Krieg as welt as fellow blue- liners Janco and Shawn Mole. Eacis teamn was missing one of its top defenceman. Milton was without Vince Guiducci - who's out for two weeks with back problema - while Georgetown's Billy Featheraton was aitting out with a four-gamne sus- pension. At home Friday, Milton gave perhaps its mot lethar- gic showing this year and were humbled by steadily- improving Oakviile 7-1. The score was actuaily flattering for thse struggting squad - who could have easily tuas by dou- ble-digits if not for the red-hot glove hand of Samuel. Samuel kept bis club within strik- ing distance until the third period with nearly two dozen saves. Dpsi ona d the nih, am n i Dani onard the loht m ne i Ricis Metoche's doorstep, teftovers tate in thse flrst period. The 6-9 Merchants scored one power- play goal in escis of this past weekend's gamnes su offer a glimmer of hope for this particularty punchtess depariment of their gamne. The weekend aplit alto saw the addition of three new faces to the local lineup including rookie defencemnan Justin Nattress, ati-purpose veterais Jacob Vanderbreggen and young teft winger Warren Wheeter - who comes over from Marty Witlamson's Aurora Tigers. The Oakville native had been caught in a number's gaine in Aurora and should now enjoy more ice timne with a Merchant teain that is finaily back up tu full strength. The next step wilt be getting in a few practices to figure out wbere ail the pieces fit. Milton hosts Brainalea tomight and clos- es out a two-gane- home stand against Missisauga Fniday. Botb garnes start as 8 pi.. Merchant notes: Former Merchant teamn president Gregg Carrigan recently joined Williaiason ini Aurora ... Ex- Merchant Matt Barman has been traded from St. Michaels to Samia ... Four Milton players are averagmng a point a gamne. Bond and Jason Harshaw share the scoring lead with 17 pointa apiece. Bognar and Meloche each have 16. Sr. 'Stangs earn home field with fu"%rt'eit win. Mito D«i4's seiu« fitbaff teams enjyed a lear -Wh ewwd secrig honme f6ew mvntage for the. qpeng roun~dof playoffi. Whl lcadsy the fvourte forregsIar seuos.essd$ug play Thxursday, NID wouusd up ot being ohallenged at fl - as the Georgetown Rebels frfeited the .'l'hey (Georgetown) had lois smre reat btowouss mand wesi probebly havistg trouble tieldig a tein, mugested head coachs Keitis Pearc. The defast win squated the Mustangs' 20011 record, at 3-3. They'il -o host okvill&s White oaks Wdd*ms RFiday atwoon in u the divi- sions two quutfinbals, Ganet tisse lu 2 pJM MD) could have top niaho Grg Von Es bac as the llnup Piiday. Hle saw spot duty sin anexhiiio gamn agai"a Bellevll's Coussatia Cbwgrm hWt week and - if able tx«upo cqM- wll add moine mssch-needed pssi" to what's been a radier engnmic offemave unit Mseanwblk MDes Juniors bc"i tier two playoff action ut hoine 1hursday ugainat White Qaka. The Junio contstt wiil ulso star as 2 pm. Milton Vs Mississauga >Catch ail the. Aifon S Excitement Friday, November 2nd at 8:00 pm, Memorial Arena (Thompson Rd.> TICKET PRICES Aduits ............ .$7.00 Seniors/Students .... $5.00 Children 12 & Under . . $3.00