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The Canadien Champion, Tuesday, Apil 29, 2003 -981 SPOR Mavs unbeaten in home-opening weekend Milton ekes out win in first ever showdown with Oakville By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion T he Jr. B Mavericks earned very few points ".". for style at John Tonelli Sports Centre Saturday night. But where it counts - namnely the scor-eboard - Milton camne through, sidestepping some anxous moments spawned by disci- pline trouble and questionable officiatmng alike to, trim the neigh- bouring Oakville Buzz 7-6. The nan-ow victory, one severely lacking in flow and finesse beyond period one, allowed Glen Littie's Mavericks ta walk away from their home-opening weekend having yet te, taste defeat. Equally important, the win was against a division opponent the. local juniors will likely have to stay ahead of in order so clinch a second straight playoff berth since returning to the league last spring. Ilwas essentially a four-point game," noted the Mavenicks' skipper, whose teamn tied the defending national champion Clarington Green Gaels 12-12 Friday evening and enjoyed a healthy fan base for both contesta. "We kind of took ourselves out of the game with penalties when il was 6-2. But it was one of those close gamnes we would have lost last year. 50 it's a good stepping stone." On a night when bath even-strength play and goals were at a bare minimum, the boats scored four times with the extra attacker and sprinled in three shorthanded markers to squeeze past their regional rivals. Also factoring heavily into the slim victory was a rock-solid out- ing by sophomore tender Josh Arnold, who made four dozen saves overali and three crucial stops in the waning moments ta prevent Oakville from equalizing. Milton's hometown cager was particu- Mavericks cager Josh Amold takes the net wlth hlm larly effective wben challenged downstatrs tbrough the opening white guarding against an Oakvlle striker, while (St right) half.AdmRtlok omnue ytodfnesStra Kyle Goertz, last year's roakie of the year, notched the gaine night at Memorial Arena. Mlton won 7-6 t ap an unbeat- winner - atriking on the crease ta cap bis second two-goal per- en weekend. Poo yGAA AN formance in as many nights.PhtsbGRHM AIV Cantinuing ta pay dividends for their new teain, Burlington regulation. brathers Brenden and Morgan Thenhaus combined for five points, The teanis exchanged goals through the 10-minute overtime ses- while also, denting the twine were captain Kyle Hagel, Mark sion, with Galick doing the hanaurs for Milton. Morgan Thenhaus Galick, Mike Novak and Steve Chuchinach. was the other marksman for the bota, who used this year's added Against the rebuilding Green Gaels Friday, the Mavericks speed to full advantage by scoring several of their goals on fast- exhibited a little more restraint than they would the following break transition plays. evening. Craig Willis' steady cage work and back-ta-back deposits The Mavericks will nry ta, add ta their early-season success by Gaertz in the third period were other key ingredients in the against division rival Mim-ico Friday at 8 pin. at Tonelli. From draw. there, they finish out the weekend with a trip ta, Georgesown's Part Elgin newcomer Derek Eans and hometawn sophomore Gordon Alcott Arena Sunday ta battie the Halton Hilîs Buildaga at ian Sweetland alsa, tallied twice, as did Brendan Thenhaus and 6 pi. Hagel - who sank a potential winner with three minutes ta, go in Steve LeBlanc can be reached a; Ibat hIîn,.n- IL-M. ('l LAM 111ON' 1U['SDAý.