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Merchants take OT Ioss to Iowly Derbys Coaches irate with team's second-rate effort in Streetsville By STEVE LOBLANC The Champion Could a Merchants-Derbys series actually be a dog fight? Just a week ago Une idea seemed down- right laughable. However, tlsere's nothing amusing about how thie local juniors have been playing against the tearo tbey're cur- rently set to face in the opening round Unis turne next month. Last Friday's narTow escape over seventh-place Streetsville seemingly represented a low point in Une season. But for Unose who believed things couldn't get any worse, a rude awak- ening waited at Vic Jhston Memorial Arna Tuesday nigbt. A second-period col- lapse, shaky goaltending and an ill-timed sudden death infraction combined for a 5-4 overtime defeat - Une most humblmng Unis year'for Une championship-minded Merchants. "Our goaltender should have stepped is up tonight aond he didn't. We're givmng up juot four to six shots a peniod, and we're still allowing goals," fumed skipper Mario Cichilo, of a less-Unan-stellar outing by rookie back-up Alex Evans. But Milton's bench boss - visibly fruis- trated and understandably so - found plenty of fault to go around. After a rare dressing down of lis ego- battered charges, he noted, "The go-to guys didn't step it up. Everyone was runnmng around tonight. We Dry to tell Unese guys Do watch Une back end, and they let Unese guys (Derbys) have a cup of coffee on the back door." The Merchants seemed poised Do bury their hosts from the onset - out-chancing Unem 24-5 in the openmng period and jump- ing ahead on same-shift goals by Vic Oreskovich and Rich Meloche. But Milton's atDack-mode quickly evapo- rated at imnerission and ooly returned for a brief spart midway Unrough Une Unird, when second-liners Wes Clark and James Duhamel each struck froin close range to turo a one-goal deficit ioato a.slim lead. Derby John Patrito would spoil Une victo- ry parade witn an upotairs wrister inside Une final minute of, regulation time, on Une team's third shot of the period. Thsis opened Une door Do tome overtione hemoico hy Scott Megahy, who capped a Uree-goal night two minutes into Une extra session. H-is stralght-away deposit came wiUn freshman Winger Jon Omelas in Une box for slaahing. Tuesday's setback was only Une second league defeat for Milton since early November. Losing a point for the overtime loss may well have cost the 32-6-I-t Merchanta Uneir shot at overtaking Une Dop-seated Hamilton Kilty Bees, who've yet Do show any tate-season cracks and could cement first place wiUn a home-and- home sweep of Georgetown Saturday and Monday. On a more positive note, Milton could essentially lock up Une number two spot - and Une second-round home-ice advantage Unat comes wiUn it - wiUn a win over Georgetown tonight at 7:30 p.m. Merchant notes: Fans attending tonight's gamte will have a chance Do pur- chase discounted tickets for tomorrow evening's Hamilton Bulldogs game at Copps Coliseum, where Miltonian Darren Haydar will lead the Milwaukec AdmiraIs into battle. Seats cost $12 apiece * Tuesday's 5-4 defeat marked Une most goals the club has given up since a 7-5 decision over Brampton November 7.. The lterchants finish out the week tomor- row evening in Brampton at 7:30 po. afor related story, see page 28 Photo by GRAHAM PAINE .,Territorial dispute Milton Wlnterhawk Colin McNabb and this Caledon co ntratoth gio down alter exercis- ing somne physical presence along the boards during 'AA' minor atom action at Memorial Arens Saturday aftemnoon. Milton was defeated &-1. For more rep hockey resuits, ses page 28. Sunday, Jan. 1l2th Saturday, Jan 1l9th- 8:OOam-4:OOpm 1@ Tonelli Arena *A copy of a birth certificate is required for ail new registrantsn LACROSSE "THE-FASTEST GAME ON Two FEET" For Registration Information Please cail 905-876-0463 Please e-mail your team reports or sports story.ideas to sleblanc@.)hatonsearch.com, Or fax your reports to (905) 878-4943. -upl uu ii rausum neu vs uuoiue r-mess rreen Jan 11 (.00 arn. Man's Auto Repair vs Towne Dental Group - 3:00 p.m. G hlile Fitnoss Black Goodlite FOress Blut t:2t arn. Sears Nadalin Dlectric O OJan t2 4:00 p rn. Millweld Enterprites vs Preste Law Office 5:t5 p vs Industrial Ligtiand Dlectric Home Cinema Video WINTER HOUSE LEAGUE PROGRAM 63 ..DemCrGrg aainTr Location: Bishop Reding H.S. - Boys & Girls 7:45 p.m. Bri4no Auto Repair Doco and Dents Session Dates: Tuesshy & Thursday/ lhr Sessions each Tie: 7:S-:D m Ags -1)Jan 10 7:30 p.m. Chtodeigh't os No-Tech Recrortero Sim O0-9:e800 pm Ages il-10) . 8:45 esm. Gut Mowbray Ltd Scooters Snack Sflack Fees: 1110 fer fru« efli lai a family, Ja12 9:00 pi.m. Absolute Transperation Brian's Auto Repair 100for uch dditiu[ an13 7:35 psm. Milton Chrysler Dodge vs Total Team sg DTS. EGSII ~ 14TH 2M0. 8:53 p. Key Centoe High Fine Pflography PIa Commnences JA14TI - MID MAR.j0 10ac. t:11 p.m. KwHk Kopy Johnson Controls PR IOR TO AKT:PESCL: Milton Youth baskotball Phme- (905) 691-1675 N E 420 Main St. E. Suita #558 Fa.(05) 875-468 Milton, ON t*T 5G3- FaRD L LIN COLN Or bring Reglstration Forms & Fans 0%TU& J«. 14,ê03, & cames readyuIo play. F R IC L Moka choque payable ta MILTON YOUTII SSKETRALL Note: Administrioan Foi af $10.00 te apply fer cancelleln inca pragrbm starts