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Bertoli 's Titans tops in ECHL Northàeast Miltonian number one scorer on Trenton By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion Scont Bertoli's Trenton Titans had a lot to live up to this season. And so far, they've risen to the challenge - sitting on the verge of an overall sec- ond-place finish in the East Coast Hockey League. With three gaines remaining, the teain has clinched top spot in the ECHL Northeastem Conference with a record of 44-16-9. TMe Titans' lateat victory came against their as of now first-round opponent,' Roanoke Saturday. Bertoli - like most gaines Ibis season - helped fuel the victo- ry with a goal and an assist, to celebrate bis 25th birthday. Tops in team seoring Milton's former junior and university star currently ails alop teain scoring and top-20 overall in the league wilh 23 goals and 68 total points. His plus/minus mark of 27 also ranks ainong the league's best. "I started slow again Ibis year, but about 20 gaines in 1 got two new young linemates wiIb a lot of energy and we began creating a lot of chances," explained the point-a- gaine left winger, now a third-year veleran of the ECHL. Wbile both of Ibose linemates later moved up wo the AHL, Bertoli continued 10 flounish and earlier Ibis inonIb earned bis own promotion - albeit a short-lived one - to Calgary Flames' AHL afliliale in St. John, New Brunswick. "I knew it waa only going t0 be for one gaine, but 1 C . thought 1 played pretty well. I got quite a bit of play," said Bertoli of bis third one- gaine stint in the should have got- ten a lengthier Scott Bertoli stay (in AHL) tbis season, obviously that's what lIm hopmng for. Maybe next seaaon." lIn the meantime, another productive play run will certainly put the former Milton Merchant and Princeton Tiger in good stead with AHL scouts. Last season he was among the standouts in the Titans' drive to the league champi- onship - where they were fmnally ousted by South Carolina. Bertoli figures another berth to the ECHL Kelly Cup - despite Trenton's rash of personnel changes, due to cali-ups and injuries - is not out of the question. 'We're definitely capable of another lengthy playoff mun," hie said. "We should be there at the end. Another strong playoff performance will certainly help me. 1 think (last year's showing) is what helped me gel the tryout with Washington (Capitals)." Trenton takes on Richmond tomorrow night and closes out regular-season play Ibis weekend with a home-and-home series against Atlantic City. By STEVE L.BLANC The Champion Milton's AA minor novices began the season by gelling disinantled 17-0 by the Orangeville Flyers. Any lingering embarrassinent froin Ibat hunsbling start, however, waa laid 10 rest two weeks ago - when dssring the last gaine of Tri Counly round robin play, the Optimist Club Winîerhawks toppled Orangeville 8-2. With Tri County championship play now pitting Ibese saine two teanas against each oIber, doininance bas quickly been replaced by draina - wiIb overtime need- ed 10 seule the fiast two gaines of Ibeir best-of-five series. Milton prevaiîs in OT The latest of Ibese extra-session show- downs went in favour of Milton Saturday aftemoon at Memorial Arena. Nicholas Cragg provided the heroics, driving home a Bryden Curran rebound wiIb just four seconds left in sudden deaIb. lnitiating the play was Brayden RimI. The 3-2 vîclory squared the finals at one win apiece. "Nicholas made a smart play 10 go straight to the net," said coach Tom Ferguson, whose teain is one of two local squads compeling for Tri County gold. "ibe guys worked bard and to see thein go froi being blown away by Orangeville t0 now being able to compete wiIb Ibein is great."1 Milton held the lead twice in regulation, thanka 10 a inulti-goal performance by afteinoon standoul Matthew Dupont. Helping set hum up each lime was Sean McGovein. Single assista went 10 Kendall Atkinson and Oran Ferguson. Daniel PIster was rock solid between the pipes and enjoyed a lot of support from bis blueline unit. Great birthday present The OT win came in limely fasbion for îeamn meinber Luke Kisnmerer - who turned nine Saturday. Three oIber players will be celebrating birthdays in laIe Marcb. Three nights earlier in Orangeville, Milton surrendered a tbird period lead and was vanquished in overtime 4-3. Atkinson buried a blistering shot froin the point early on while also flnding the back of the net were Dupont and Derek Dercatch. Drawing helpers were Curran, Ferguson and Kevin Thomnson. Said Ferguson, "They may jusl be eight and nine years old, but il's been really exciting hockey." Gaine three of the series is set for tomor- row in Orangeville. Milton hosts gamne four Thursday aI 6:45 pin. at Memorial Arena. The Canadiarn ChampIon. Tuesday, March 26, 2002-21 PIease fax -at of your 4e" eot an sports story idéas to Steve Le8lanc at (905) 878-4943, or drop lhem off flm at The Champion office, 191 Main St E. AFafand Reasonable Offer The Govemment of Ontario bas offered OPSEU members a fair and reasonable wage ofler over three years. This offer is similar to those already accepted by other Ontario public service unions. OPSEU bas rejected this offer and is now on strike. The Government remaîns available to return to the table at any time. The Government's offer ineludes: An up to 10 per cent raise for ail staff over a three-year contract made up of: * a 5.96 per cent raise for ail staff over a three-year contract; " a orne per cent raise in the first year in exchange for pro- ductivity and efficiency gains; and " an overal raise of three per cent over three years for staff who are at the maximum of their salary ranges, based on performance. Some 70 per cent of OPSEU staff are currently at the maximum of their saiary grid and would be eligible for this increase. In addition: " an immediate 10 per cent raise for nurses; " an iinmediate doglt per cent raîse for nmbulanoe dipatdhm " an immediate elght per cent raise for scientiuts; " additional compensation to Waste and Water Treatment Operators and mechanics employed by the Ontario Clean Water Agency to recognize credentials upgrading; " an increase in shift premiums for non-correctionai employ- ees to 78 cents per hour for hours worked between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. to better reflect market rates; and " a one per cent pay-for-performance pooi for employees who are at the maximum of their saiary ranges. in addition, the Govermnent aiso offers a competitive benefit and pension package. Our offer puts real money in our employees' pockets. Visit the web calculator to see what it means at www.ontarioservcepdate.com and foiiow the links under "EmpIoyer's Offer te OPSEU". 1 5 Oro 'AA minor novices deliver overtime win Cragg's sudden death deposit knots up series