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14 -The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, January 15, 2002 Merchants secure split over weekend Photo by GRAHAM PAINE CampbeiMlIle'e Marcus Dunsord la set to b. In McDoneld's Olympie commercial wlt Wayne Gretzlky. -'Local youth in commercial By STEVE L.BLANC The Champion M arcus Dunsford is set to share the lVspotlight with hockey's most rec- ognizable namne. 'he Caropbellville youth - who sports blond locks and a flair for impressions - wii be among several players doing so, as part of an upeoming; McDonald's Olympie cormmercial featuring Wayne Gretzky. Eight-year-old Marcus survived thrce rounds ofecuts to be part of the commercial, and is one of several non-actors recruited by Milionian Steve Martin's Elite Athlete Management - a growing sports agency catering bo television/tiIm production. Martin's stepson Justin Riding plays on the same novice house-league team as Marcus. While hie does- n't have a speaking role, Une local ink rat is among Unose focused. on ire Une commercial - with a panned- shot of hlm. looking ine awe at Une Great One. "Lt was reaily cool," Marcus said of Uic experience. Roughly 120 players auditioned for one of about a dozen spots in Uic commercial, which was shot over the course of a single day lxxi month ai Brampton's Memnorial Arena. Marcus wiil receive roughly $1,200 for that day's work. Father Mark Dunsford sald Grctzky wasn't ovcrly taikative widi bis young co-stars during shooting, but realizes Tearo Canada's GM wxx under a lot of stress ai Uic lime. "The commercial wxx shot Uic weck before Canada's Olympie team was announced, s0 he probably had a lot on bis mmnd." Marcus said he's neyer considered acting before, but adroits to occxxionaily imitating Unose on Uic silver sereen. "I ike doing impressions, like Austin Powers," hie addled. The McDonald's commercial is expected to begin airing Unis week or next and wiil mun through until Uic Olympies. BySEELeBLNC The Champion The Merchants strengthened their playoff position by gettmig the better of a teamn stii search- mg for one Sunday. Within the confines of Central Arena, Burlington's ongoing bunt for s poot- season berth drew one gamne dloser te, extinction - as an inspired third-period and exceptional netminding; by former Capital Tristan Dassy went to, waste. Braxnpton's ex-stopper bought bis new tearo enough uirne to raily from, a two-goal deficiti -turning back two q dozen straight shots, including ail. 18 in io two - but surrendered another pair down the stretch to falI 4-2. The Merchants' win, number three in a row on hostile ground, tightened thesr grip on fifth and kept thero wîthin strik- ing distance of fourth-place Bramalea. Scoring for Uhc firsi âime sice mid- December, Michel Bond sank two goals including the game-winner on a short- range deflection. Milton's verticsily- chalcnged centre also assisted on Uie first of two by captain Dan Bognar and blocked a big third-period slapshot to round oui bis flnest effort ine recent weeks. Replying with goals for Uic hosts were Dayne Habbib and Steven Johnston. Milton kiiled off ail seven of its short- handed stints - for its third perfect penalty-kiilig campaign in four games - and showed a fair amount of spark and defensive structure during Uic bigh- tempo evening clash. Also, Miltonian Ryan McManus rebounded from a substandard replace- ment gig two nigbts carlier and made three dozen saves for Uic victory, wbich ifted bis team's record to, 22-16-2-1. Justin Nattreso drew a couple of helpers whilc fellow bluelmner Mike Fox-Higgins, recently acquired froro the Mississauga Chargers, successfully completed bis first full game as a Merchant. He'd been tossed on two pre- vious occasions, including duning Friday's emotionally-charged sangle with top-seated Hamilton. Milton was up-to-par offensively with their steel town nivals but were radier passive ire its own end en route to losing 7-5. Said general manager Nick SSlawson, "I don't think they beat us as much as we beat ourselves. We gave up too many sofi goals and didn't make them work to beat us." Both McManus and veter- an counterpart Trevor Battaglia had off nights and were each puiled froro the cage - while their defensive unit collapsed on itself far too ofien. On the plus side, Rick Carriere- who's been among the league's most entertaining and controversial perform- ers in recent years - continued to push bis opponents' buttons and was a major mental distraction to Hamilton through the opening haîf. But visiting stars Mark Mazzetti and iosh Soares over- came that with four-point outbursts. to eclipse the upset-mînded Merchants. Carriere led Milton with a goal and two assista while alto scoring were Bognar, Dan Carcillo, Rich Meloche and Tristan Senior. Milton can keep their bopes for a top- four finish alive with a win ire Bramalea tonight. Game timne is 7:30 pr. Merchant notes: Kevin Arruda, who's been oui since early October with a broken anle, bas been placcd on injury reserve for the remnainder of the season ... Michel Bond was on tbe ice for ail six goals scored in Burlington.. Milton bas one card lefi to, make a laie- neason addition ... Jake Vanderbreggen was released at the cutdown Thursday. sde grenttan intenor, PWPDL tlIt, cruise trys excellent cond. Ioaded, Aory ABS ll xeotra include: R sunroof, wheels and more. A/C ABS ABS, heated seats, keyless Excellent cond. set of al Ï8 90-7-925 SmUm POUWflU WAWIT MonC 0 M L MMCU 8215 LAWSON ROAD9 MILTON