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1 8-The Canadian Champion, Tueaday, January 13, 2004 SJor1ts -,,lb mOatnsearch.Com vIceHawks stock up for playoffs By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion George Dupont isn't about to proclaim bis IceHawks as the new tearn to beat in die Western Conference. But Milton's head coachlgeneral manager bas tu be feeling awfully good about the way things are falling into place. Since the midway mark of tie season, bis charges have lost just tbree turnes - making them the division's bottest club througb thse sec- ond hall. And witb this past weekend's pick-ups - including a goaltending upgrade and offensive bolstering - the IceHawka may just have the size and depth needed to truly contend for the conférence crown. "On paper we're a better tearn than we were a week ago, but whenever you add players there's the question of reestablishing roles and chem- istry," said a cautiously-optimnistic Dupont Sunday aftemnoon, following Milton's 4-0 shutout of Burlmngton. "If we're able to do that we should do well." Among Milton's four newcomers is 19-year- old cager Thoms Lee, an OHL veteran who posted a 2.46 goals-against average and 90.6 save percentage as the Barre Colts back-up this season. At 6'2" and 200 ibs., he's one of the team's biggest netrninders mi recent memory - and cer- tainly made an immnediate impact over the week- end, surrendering juat one goal in back-to-back wins. Lee replaces Kain Tisi, who along with strug- gling captain Lee Swallow was dealt to St. Michael's of the Southern Conference Saturday. Tandem partner Jam-ie Flury remains with the club, but is on temporary hiatus while he attends to academie business. "I'd say we've got as good goaltendmng as anyone night now," said Dupont. Equally etscouraging is the size and offensive punch added with the lilces of wmngers Adain Pileggi and Brent Robinson, Bramalea's top two scorers who've been averaging about a point a gaine this season. Pileggi in particular should provide extra grit up front, while Robinson already bas six points as an IceHawk and could well be the piece of the puzzle that was mnissing on the powerplay. Meanwhile, Milton also, acquired the services of 19-year-old forward Brett McCully from the Orangeville Jr. Bs. At 63"', 215 lbs., he not only helps round out the supporting cast but will no doubt offer an unposing presence against such seasoned and aggressive trams as Georgetown and Oakville. The IceHawk newcomers - who bring the team's ranks up to 21 - will be well tested this comning weekend with a three-games-in-three- mights stretch that wraps up with a pivotai clash against Oakville Sunday. Mal