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The Cawnadin Campion, I uesoay, reoniary 25, 2003-17 ,Il SPORT i Merchants secure 2-O lead on Buffalo Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Down for the count E.C. Drury's Jordan Lumb enjoys the upper hand on Georgetown opponent Andrew Slocumbe during 67.5 kilogram wrestling action Thursday afternoon during the GHAC wrestling championships. Lumb went on ta win the match. For full results of the event, see page 18B. Pý, Milton Merchants Buffalo Lightening 2 ganies to O Milton stili unbeaten in playoffs before last night's road trip By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion The Merchants won't be dispos- ing of their second-round oppo- nents with nearly as much ease as the first. However, they may do so just as quickly. Heading into lasi night's tip to Buffalo, Milton was ini position for another best-of- seven sweep - having prcvailcd in its fsrst two Western Conférence semnifinal encoun- tors over thc wcckend. Straigbt tbree-goal decisions pushed the regular scason champs' win streak to 15 - two sby of thc current club record, cotai> isbed carlier this year - and put tbem witbin striking distance of Uic division finals. The Merchants placed a stranglehold on their cross-border rivais late Saturday night in Buffalo, with fundamentally-sound play and two goals by Scott Ransom fueling a 4- i victory. Ransom scorcd back-to-back markers - Uic first by way of a dynamnite deke - after Uic boots knotted tbings up in the first, while Ryan Silveira notched bis second in as many nigbts to belp seal tbe deal. Rob Ricci gos Milton on the scoreboard early on witb a powerplay tally, capitaliz- ing on tbe visitors' ]one opporsunisy witb the man-advansage, wbile contribusing a pair of assists eacb were rookies Andrew Bonello and Dean Strong. Cody Spicer tumed back 29 shots to post bis sixtb straigbt playoff win, witb some late penalty killing belping bim do so. One nigbt carlier at Memorial Mrena, tbe Mcrcbants made it more difficuit on tbem- selves tban necessary before doubling up the Ligbtning 6-3 for tbeir 23rd straigbt borne win. In front of its biggest post-sea- son crowd ta date, Milton overcame a sec- ond-period collapse - thanks largely to ail-star Brad Eftbimiou. The former Brampton Capital delivered arguably bis most masterful performance since being traded ta Uic local juniors and recorded bis second straigbt five-point gaine. Great clutch performance His best efforts were reservcd for the tbird period, when the fiercely talented winger offéed picturesque set-ups to Ricci and Rich Meloche before sinking a wrap- around to shatter a 3-3 tic. Ricci and Meloche alto dented twinc in Uic opening fratre, wbile Silveira jammed in a doorstcp leftover by Strong before Uic gaine was Uiree minutes old. Sandwicbcd in betwccn was a second pcriod void of offensive spark, of defensive accountibilisy - at least onUic Merchants' part. Perbaps rusty from a week-long layoff, Uic bosts abandoncd their usually crisp play througb tbe middle frame before regrouping to hold Buffalo to juss a couple of shots in Uic third. Linemases Neil Sullivan and Michael Major accounted for ail four Ligbsning goals over Uic weekend. If victorious last nighs, the Merchants will bave a chance to sweep round two Friday night at home. Gaine timne is 7:30 p.m. If nccessary, gamne fve will be played at Memorial Mrena Sunday at 3 p.m. Merchant notes: Linemates Ricci, Meloche and EfUhiimiou shared top spot in Uic tcam's playoff scoring derby with 19 points apiece. Sbould Milton rcacb the league semifinals, Uiey'Il have a good chance of breaking bomctown superstar Darren Haydar's poss-season record of 50 points ... Rookie Vic Oreskovich is currens- ]y compcting wiUi Teain Ontario at the Canada Winter Gaines in New Brunswick. Merchant fans can get immediaie gaine results by calling Uic teain's holline at (905) 878-168 1, and can e-mail the tcain or players as daviddcrmo@miltonmcr- cbants.com. à id r