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The Canadien Champion, Frlday, January 31, 2003- 23 SP>ORT eart Jr. scores knockout Photo by BARRIE ERSKINE Ready toi represent Miltonien Darren Haydar wiii represent his Miwvaukee Admirais as a sterting Winger for the Canadien teamn during Monday's AHL Ali-Star Gem. in Portland, Maine. The AHL freshmen continues to sit emnong the leegue's top-i O scorers with 19 goals and 27 assiste in 40 gemnes. The ail- star game wiii b. broadcast live on Rogers Sportsnet starting et 7 p.m. By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion Matt Hart Jr. is back with a vengeance. Eager t0 distance himself fromn a rare defeat in late November, Milton 's 25-year-old boxer made an authoritative retum 10 the win column in London Saturday evenîng. Victimized in the process was bometown fighter Ryan Jefferson, who was floored twice within a minute-and-a-half of the opening bell -the second lime for good. -l really wanted 10 make a big statement," stressed the up-and- coming middleweight, of bis fourth career knockout. Hart Jr. said bis opponent appeared a little unsure of himiseif during the pre-fight referee's address/stare down - when he locked eyes for a brief moment and then looked away. Jefferson 's lack of confi- dence is more speculation than actual debate is that he was clearly overmatcbed Mail Hart Jr. Saturday. Wasting no lime in exercising bis dominance, Hart Jr. fainted a jab and then con- nected wiîb an overband right, lefi hook combination tbat sent the homnetown pugilist 10 the canvass before the one-minute mark. While Jefferson managed to get vertical, he was clearly dazed and flot in a position Io rebound fromi tbe quick assault. For Hart Jr., cemenîlng the victo- ry was simply a malter of a littie slippery defense and another com- île Merchants have struck Western Conférence gold three limes in the past seven seatons - with eacb title viclory following a firal-place finish in the regular season. That's a mighîy encouraging trend for the local jun- iors, who're now on tbe verge of claiming their latesî regular-season championsbip. Two gimme wins against lowly Buffalo tonigbt and basemnent-dwelling Brampton Sunday aflemoon are ail tbat's required to lock up top spot in the West. Up unlil two weeks ago it appeared as tbougb Milton would have 10 seule for second place - with previ- ously top-seeded Hamilton pretty much steamrolling tbrougb the tirst tbree-quarters of the season. But thc Killy Becs lost reliable gunner ion Jankus to Mine University earlier Ibis month, and from there things have gone duwnhill. Hamilton has lost four times in thc last tbree weeks - with Monday's 5-4 defeat 10, mid-pack Mississauga bination - Ibis time a thunderout left uppercut, overhand right that equaled lights out for the ripe-to- faîl London native. Recalled Multon's only known active boxer, "He wasn't getng up before tbe 10 counit. Everything went according to plan." Hant Jr. shed a few pounda for bit latest outing '- getting down to a trim 161 lbs. that now leaves him open for both middleweight and junior middleweight competition - and said he felt both stronger and faster Saturday. Now 9-I under the tutelage of coach Billy Martin at the Bramnalea Boxing Club, the local fighter expects to tum pro later Ibis year, but will look 10 gel in a few final amateur bouts before that happent. He bas a potential February 16 appearance in Oshawa and will then fight in Hamilton March 15. "Basically, l've jusî gol 10 slay busy and focused," said Hart Jr. aI Mountain Arena essentially coslmng themn a chance to reclaim first place. A home-ice sweep Ibis weekend seems more of a formality than a legitimate challenge for the Mercbants - wbo're undefeated against both Buffalo and Brampton Ibis tesson and cnjoy a near-flawless 22-I record aI Memorial Arena. Finishîng first would flot only give the Merchants home-ice advantage for thc entire West division play- downs, but alto sllow them 10 avoid a second-round series with Georgetown. Hamilton't late-season slide bodes well for a Milton-Georgetown conférence finals - whicb would no doubt be met with capacily crowds and pienty of hype throughout north Halton. Milton will start Uic playoffs at home next Friday. Tonigbî's gaine against Buffalo starts aI 7:30 p.m. while Sunday's tilt with Brampton - wbich is Uic teamas fan appreciation day - gels rolluag at 3 p.m. Monday nigbî Uiey close things out in Hamilton. (corner of Martin and Main) Siow-pitch in a fun end friendiy environnient Play begins May 2003 ... 24 gaine seeson and much, much more Weare welcoming back elumni players of MMSFand' mayoMe dse that is interested in playing slow-pb*-!» a friendly but competitive environmneut. F«r ier linformetion on the Miltons 014 Fr" * Lagss, 00 P*ul Scherer et 9054M89134* or dop , M&e's lerber Shop, d«wm Nt Street. nth*MIudeRieoganon â.trday. Merchants can lock up first place with weekend sweep à