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28 - The Canadian Champion, Friday, December 19, 2003 * SPORkTS Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Hands up Mustang Shannon Laing <ieft) attempta to put one poat a Nelson opponent during junior girls voiieybaii play at Milton District High School Monday afternoon. lbe Mustangs put up a spirited fight but iost 25-16,23-25,15-12 and dropped ta 3-1 on the year. Th. senior Mustangs managed toay unbeaten, improving ta 4-0 with a 25-19, 25-11 over Nelson in the aflernoonas istter showdown. Fatigud IceHawks dumped by Derbys Hectic sehedule takes its toil in Streetsville By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion The IceHawks didn't so much wrap up their most hectic season stretch as limp to its conclusion. Closing out a four-games-in-five-nights t-un at Vic Johnston Memorial Arena Tuesday, Milton's blatantly fatigued jun- iors had iittle to, no oomph up front -and no saving grace between the pipes. The end resuit was a 5-1 defeat sî the hands of the steadily-improving Streetsville Derbys, who to, their credit stuck to an effectiveiy simple and physical game plan en route to bumpmng off yet another top-four opponent. Nevertheless, the IceHawks' depleted ranks and dimiished energy level hsd as much to, do with the lopsided verdict - which dropped tbemn to 21-14-0-1 and fur- ther hindered wsning hopes for a top-three fiùsh. Adversely affected by a lsck of work early on snd the generally-drained aura that plagued bis teamn, Kain Tisi juat wasn't up to par in bis most recent appearance. Coming off a superb effort in Burlington Sunday, he looked shaky on goals one, tht-ce and four - tbe iatest of which promnpted bis exit with juat under five min- utes remainung. Offensively, Jonathan Omnelas was tbe lune mat-kaman - scoring for tbe fifth straigbt gamre tou knot things up midway through Use night. Drawing assists were Jeff Caister and Bt-ad Suetainger. Tlhe Derbys would restore their lead on Use powerplsy five minutes later - catch- mng Tisi out of position on a lengthy rebound - sud then put things out of reach ith Ue tbird. While banged-up captain Lee Swallow is now back from a mucb-needed respite, Use IceHawks were still going wiUs just tbree forward lines as workborse centre Dean Strong began nursing an undisclosed upper body injwry. Milton had plenty of close-range oppor- tunifies Tuesday, but suffered equally from a lack of fmish sud sharp cage work by Nunzio Presta. The IceHawks alto took sbout a handful of ill-timed penalties and were repeatedly muscled off Use puck by a Derbys team Usat boasts about as mucb physical prowess as tbey bave in several years. Former Milton director David Dermno - now the general manager of Streetsville - was on the opposmng bench Tuesday in replacement of vacationmng owner/head coach Randy Gumbley. Denno's Derbys have now won their last two meetings with Use IceHawks, who close out 2003 regular season play tonight at home against Hamilton. Steve LeBlianc can be reached at sic- blanc@haltonsearch.com. IceHawks (21-14-0-1) vs. Hamilton (24-7-1-2) Game time: 7:30 p.m. St Memorial Last meeting: Hamilton won 7-4. Who to watch: Veteran defencemen Matthew French and Chris Cloutier wiil need to use every bit of their size and strength to neutralize the reloaded and revitalized Kilty Bees. The skinny: Despite making signifi- cant stnides recently, the IceHawks' momentum and desure probably won't be enougb to, overcomne their depleted and banged-up ranks against s weil- stacked teamn like Hamilton. Champion's pick: Hamilton by two GREAT GIFTS FOR GOLFERS Merry Christmas ta aur valued customers & friends fram Bill & Mary Clarke & ail aur staff.. ý Fin Lmn feIRGO M200m F0 lumlnum weldlIng 403Crystai ie Aiuminum Wire Air4 Liud lbspooI AirLiqideblU-2044305 310A Steeies Ave., Milton 1905-69.31211 Whlle quantItIes last Partldipatlng locations onty. 20500383 -akae src AIR LÈ RIDE] Iniduat-lal ga