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22 -The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, November 19, 2002 w w - w _ _ __jjjjj .. ... «,Merchants dismantie weekend opposition Milton riding six-game win streak and threatening to take overfirst By STEVE LeBLANCt The Champion Short on bodies, long on production. That was pretty much the story for the Merchiants this past weekend, as they delivered a couple of lopsided victories to 1 close out the fnst haîf of their season at an impressive 19-5-I. Wbile going with just tbree lines. Milton steamrolled past botb Burlington Friday nigbt and Bramalea Sunday aftemoon to pull witbin two points of top-seated Hamilton. The Merchants currently ride a six-game winning streak. their second since retum- ing fron the Compuware Faîl Classie Toumament in mid-October. Needless to say, the've surpassed first- baîf expectations - wbicb weren't espe- cially igh considering there are so many new players in the lineup coming from a myriad of hockey levels. "If you'd said 19-5-1 in September. I would have said no. We've neyer bad a start like this," said general manager David Brown, comparing the 2002/03 Merchants' fn-st baîf to, those of is old stomping ground of Brantpton. "This tearn works bard. They're young and tbey don't know enougb to be intimi- dated by teants like Georgetown. They just play hockey." Added bead coach Mario Cicebillo. 'We've gotten better since day one, espe- cially with passing and positional play."' Wbile presently sporting the best goals- against average in the Westemn Conference. Milton's firepowcr was the big story over the weekend - particularly at home against Bramalea Sunday. Wbile captain Craig Macdonald's per- sonal absence left the team witbout one of ils more dependable snipers, the Merchants bit double digits for the second time in as many gantes witb tbe bapless Blues- annibiîating tbem 10- 1. Back-up Alex Evans faced just 15 shots -witb a sbortbanded slapper early in the third period spoiling his shutout bid - while leading offensively with three goals and two assists was newcomer Ryan Silveria. Wes Clark, James Duhamel and Rob Ricci ail bad a goal and two helpers each. Also ligting the lamp were Pat Lee and tcam scoring leader Rich Meloche - who pushed is goal and point totals to 23 and 49 respectively. Bramalea. flot nearly as well coached or conditioned as last season. offered minimal resistance lrom stafl 10 finish. In Burlingion lriday, Milton gave one of ils better perormances of the year against an upper-echelon tean and systematically dismantled the Cougars 9-3. Phdl Sbrocch's return Io the blueline and a gritty effort by the Le. Silv&ra. ion Omelas unit highlighted the road trip which saw the visitors enjoy 2-1 and 5-2 period leads en route to victory. The Merchants answered hack quickly after each goal against and bucked one of their less positive trends witb a production three-goal second period. Rapidly-improviflg lreshman Vic Oreskovich tallied twice while other multi- point nights were posted by Lee. Macdonald, Meloche and Rick Janco. Cody Spicer bantled gamnely between the pipes. tumtng hack 18 shots to deliver bis I 3tb season win and keep bis goals-against average under 3.00. Merchant notes: Sean Kennedy will be back in December and is expected Io retumi to is natural position of defense ... Ini addi- lion t0 Sbroccbi, Lee Swallow was also activated from the injury list this past weekend ... Tbe Merchants will hold a hol- iday food drive during their next two Friday nigbt games. Fans are asked 10 bring a non-perishable food item t0 the gamne ... Milton has just one game over the next week-and-a-balf, wbicb is slated for this Friday at home against Mississauga at 7:30 p.m. ( Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Milton Merchants swarm the Bramalea net during Sunday atternoon action at Memnorial Arena. Milton bombed their guests 10-1 10 cap a thoroughly dominating weekend. H-aydar makes NHL debut By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion Darren Haydar bad played four gamnes in the past five days ssben he laced up is skates in Chicago Sunday evening. But any fatigue fromi the hectic week was buried under a mass of adrenaline- as Milton's 23-year-old star sniper bit the ice at the Uinited tenter witb the Nasbville Predators. "It didn't matter how mnany gamnes 1 played fast week. I1 was going to be up for that one," said Haydar of' lus NHL debut. Darren 'btch came just two months after signing v thtnhte Predators.-It was deftnitely exciting and gave me a lot of confidence." As it happened. father Frank Haydar was in Aruba tbis past weekend when word of bis youngest son's NHL caII-up came. He caugbt a light back just in time to catch the gante on satellite TV. It was a tbrill (te see bim play). We didn't know he was actually going to dress until we tumed on the tel- evision and saw bim," said Frank. "I didn't talk to bim likoe abuid in a cand stonr." ai e Haydar - wbo at the time of bis promo- tion was tied for second in AHL scoring with 10 goals and 10 assists in 15 gantes S with Milwaukee - played about 14 min- utes against Chicago Sunday. and was used on the powerplay as well as at even strength. Called up witb Saskatchewan native Greg Classen, Miltons nost prolifle scorer regis- tered a shot on net and weatbered a third- Haydar period check from Blackhawks defenceman Steve Poapst. "I was just a little wobbly. 1 bad a sligbt concussion, but was cleared to play,"* said Haydar, who wsore jetrsey #54 with the Predators. Unfortunately, bis NHL debut wasn't marked with victory - as ailing Nashville was beat 4-2. Haydar was sent back to Milwaukee yesterday, but was told that be may be callcd up again for the Predators' gante in Colorado Thursday. I1 still need to leant the ropes at the minor level, but a few more games bere and there would definitely help my confidence," he said. ýhristmas Food Drive items to our Nov 22,11 and Nov 2911 Friday, November 22 @ 7:SOpm Friday Night Home Games.f Coame is at Memorial Arena - Thompson Road Aut .........$8.00 ISeniors/Studelts ....$5.00 h11~:I4* , ~ 7"ldren 12 & Udr... $0 Book gour Christmas k parties nowW Atgreat p(ace to go afrter the game! 8.iiSret8868 W17 - ln '.3nno