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20-The Canadian Champion, Tueaday. March 26, 2002 SPORTS Photo by STEVE LeBLANC Bringlng the Milton Maverlckts Jr. B lacrosse tani back this sason are (from lait) team president John Arnold, assis- tant coach Gien Flippance, head coach Gien Little and gênerai manager Jim Goertz. jr. B Mavericks set for comeback By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion They're back. The Milton Mavericks Jr. B lacrosse team has returned from, a two-year hiatus, and lessthUan a monUs from now will offi- cially resume its place witbin Use OLA. So can Use local franchise wi back its previous fan following? - and just as important, can it wi back its statut as a league contender? WiUs regards to Use latter goal, new teamn president John Arnold and general manag- er Jimn Goertz have enlisted Use services of Glen Little, a longtime lacrosse fixture wbo's toiled i Use professional ranks as boUs a player and coach. The Maverieka' head coach bas no illu- sions about bemng i Use cbampionsbip pic- ture Usis season - especially wiUs just one or two players enjoyig previous junior experience - but durs feel confident about bis chances of floorig a competitive squad. "Witb Use talent t've seen bere, if Use guys buy ito our system, we should be competitive," said Little, wbo'll lead Use teamn alongside assistant Glen Flippance. "We may not wi too many gamnes, but we're not goig to give gamnes away eiUser. The key will be to leam and improve wiUs each shift and game." He bopes Josb Arnold can provide a sta- bilizing presence as Use number one goal- tender and expects fellow Miltonians like Bobby MacDonald, Derek Mewhinney, Matt O'Meara and Kaegan Sberiff - part of last year's itennediate squad - to deliver leadershsip as well as offensive pro- duction. And wbile unable to lure somne local players away from established teams like Use 2002 Founder's Cup boss Haiton Hlis Bulldogs, Milton durs have tome bright young stars like Matt Decaire. Sald Little, "There's a solid nucleus isere Usas 1 think can bandle it (jumrp to Jr. B)." Tlhe job of drawing decent crowds now fails on Arnold, wbo feels movig home gaines from Friday to Tbursday nights sbould help boost attendance. "That way we won't miss Use weekend cottage goers," sald Use teamt president,. "Having a strong hase of local players on Use teamn will belp too. 1 Usink we sbould be able to get about 200 people a game." The Mavericks began training camp Usis past weekend at Oakville's Appleby College and will move over to John Tonelli Sports Centre i mid-April. They host Mirnico i exhibition play on April 18 and begi Use regular season at home against Halton Hills April 25. OMHA titie a win away for 'AA' midgets Could clinch crown tonight By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion Milton's AA midgets could retum from Barrie tonight with something a lot more precious than their hockey equipment. The OMIHA trophy is now just a single win out of their posses- sion - following Sunday's 6-2 route of the Flyers. Recovering from a dismal shutout loss the previous evening - during which both head coaches and a hantil of players eamned suspensions - the Milton Toyota Wmnterhawks struck early andi often to put their championship rivais on the brink of elisuination. Kyle Goertz' continueti wizardry between the pipes and a cou- ple of shorthanded goals in the second perioti highlighted the game four victory, which came in front of a near-capacity crowd at Memorial Arena. The hometown puckstopper pusheti his incredible shutout spant to juat over 130 minutes with flawless efforts through periotis one and two. He was fmnally beat ture minutes into the final framne - but by then a comeback, though possible, seemeti rather unlikely. Mark Galick, Milton's stretch-drive acquisition from tihe major bantasus, crushed any meager rally hopes with two late deposits and created a number of chances earlier in the night with somte intense play. Julian Ricci pus tse hosta on Use board before Use game was haif- a-minute olti - recording Use teamn's quieket post-season goal - while captain Connor Sweeney, Paul Szafer andi Michael Winiarz padded Usat leati in Use middle stanza. Goals by Sweeney and Szafer came while Use local miùdgets were busy killing penalties. An 8-for-8 performance in Usat department, Usanks in large part to Sweeney and Chris Coates, fac- tored heavily into Use victory. WiUs Amie Parcels relegateti to spectator - punishment for the high number of penalties during game three - assistant Tom Baynton picked up Use coaching reigns and kept Use bota focused tbrough Use early stages of play wben rough-housing was in ample supply. Milton slsowed a somewbat disturbing lack of fmish on Use pow- erplay but displayed a lot of grit in drawing witbin a wmn of Use OMHFA titie. Tonight's gaine in Barrie begins at 7:30 p.m. If neccesary, game six will be playeti as Memorial Mena Tbursday at 8 pr. Milton Minor Hocke!y Association Player Restfttion for 2002/2 ê03 ses~of Saturday March 3Oth 8am-8pm Memonial Arena (Thompson Rd.) Upstairs Beginner thru to Juvenile (new registration must bring birth certificate) For inquiries please contact Grant Goodings at 905-878-4769 1 =r__