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The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, January 4, 2005-17 d0 ~JU U1L~ -M sleblanc@haltonsearch.com IceHawks' adversity continues to mount Internai suspensions thin out already short bench By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion As if things weren't bad enough already. The lcelHawks knew they'd greet the new year in rougb shape long 'cfore beading 10 Georgetown Sunday evening. Aftîr ll thev'd I imped int the holiday break on a five-game losrng skid and nouid stili b without Ieading scorer Shandor Aiphonso and a number one goalie r-fot 10 mention a tuil blueline unit andi enlorcer Chris Bain. The good news was that things did- nIl look like they coLild gel any norse. So much for that theory. As bis Oirsi officiai order of business for 20015. head coacb/generai man- "Apparently it was more important for some guys to go to Montreal and booze it up than it was to attend practice." GEOGE DUPONT irger George Duponit leveird internai suspensiorns on ivo piay crs Sunday for rntssrng practice last week Io go celebrate Ille riený sear n Montreai. -Apparentiy t n'as more important for snrme guys 10 go 10 Montreal and booze il Up than il nwas tri attend practice.- said Dupont prior to Sunday's gamne. Captain Adam Pileggi -who was siapped witb a frve-game suspension white feilow torwards Mike DeMarcbi. Jason Dopaco. Kevin Morrison and Mike Sansom gor two gamnes each declined In comment on the matter. "No tbanks ... sorry about tbat. bc sard poiitely during ftrst intermission. Down to a skeleton cress of 1l skaters for Sunday's tilt with the league-leading Raiders, Multon's faithful no doubt braced ttseii for a possible -make that probable -blowout. However, the lceHawks managed 10 stave off tbat wouid-be burnbling with their most spirited effort tn nearly a rnontb and a credible performance by 15 year-old eau -up Kori Coeîho -who stopped 20 of 22 shots in tbe Oirst two periods to keep tire game up for grabs. Milton's hopes for ati upset were finaily dashed with two tlt goals by Nick Harloif. the second a rink-lengtb shorthanded rally into an empty net 10 cernent a 5-2 dectston. Local fans lookrng for anything posititve 10 clrng to these days could certainiy consider Sunday's narron', ioss a moral s ictory. since the lceHawks bung tn thrrrugh a penalty-rrddled second haif Milton IceHawk Andrew Dias gets tripped up by Georgetown Raider Tyler Leggo during Sunday night's 5- 2 loss ait Gordon Alcott Arena. It was pretty slim pickings on the Milton bench (inset right) for the 2005-opening tilt. Photos by HERB GARBUJT and had just etght avatiable players for rnuch oi Ibe tbrrd period during wbicb rnrnor infractions and 10-minute mrsconducts came fast and furiolus. "I'm proud of these guys. They didn'î ceave anything in the tank îonighî, and wiîh a few breaks we could bave taken tl, said assis- tant coach Robb Wilson, whose rearn feul to 21-14-1-0i and rernains tn fifth place rn the Western Conlerence. Andrew Dras and Brett Robinson cul CGeorgetown ieads rn bail in the second and third respectiveiy -dotng so n lb a shortbard- ed breakaway and powerplay deilection. As ori ycsterday mrning, Dupoînt was stili trying Io secure a starting goalie from one of two Ontario junior clubs t0 replace rýecently-departed Doug Groenestege. and hoped 10 bave a dea finaiized by Ibis n'eek -perhaps even in rime irîr last nighî's trip to Buffalo. The lceHawks are expecred 10 be back 10 near tuli-srrengtb Friday evening. n'hen tbey retumn 10 Mernorial Arena 10 take on baserîrett-dweiling Branralea. OPf Decorati ve Art Studio Looking for something fun to do this winter? Try Decorative Painting! Contrary to popular belîef there is No artistic talent required! I1's FUN and EASY to learn' And you don't need to know how to draw' I www.paintinfriends.caJ .5 519-853-0777 77 Mill St. E., Acton Open House & Registration Thurs. ian. 6 - 10 arn - 9 pm Frr. Jan. 7 - 10 arn - 9 prn Sat. ian. 8 - 10 arn - 5 prn * e4 -