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22-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, February 22, 2005 Oak Park WALK-IN CLINIC *C- 0 Stn 5 Wpy. R. orts sleblanc@haltonsearch.com IceHawks dominant in closing out Burlington Milton outscores Cou gars 13-2 in final two games of series By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion The Milton IceHawks may have left the door open for an opening-round series turnaround, but tbey slammed it shut awfully quick. Rebounding fromn lasi Tuesday's 3-2 setback at Central Arena, Milton fortificd every aspect of play this past weekend - and fin- ished off Burlington in the process with two convincing wifls 10 take the playoff series in a rather efficient tîve gamnes. While Sunday's 6-2 victory officially eliminated the Cougars. many could argue that a 7-0 sshitewash two nights earlier effec- tively put things away for the lceHawks -who as of last night were still awaiting word on whom they'd face in the Westemn Conference semnifimals. -1 think sorte of the guys were a litile tired in game tbree aller that triple overtimne win, but we used the lime wisely following the loss and came back focused,' remarked captain Shandor Alphonso, who drew five assists over the weekend, including four in the clincher. -We set the tempo early (thts weekend) and took it 10 them." Added head coach/general manager George Dupont. "We initi- ated the play and supported the puck well on defense. Basically we did aIl the little things you need to be effective in the playoffs.- Eager t0 show~ game three was merely a bump ini the road, the IceFlawks came out firing on ail cylinders at a hostile Central Mrena Friday - winntng just about aIl of the one-on-one bailles and completely wiping out their hosts' even-strength attack. Tom Fenton tumed back 17 shots for the shutout, but his flaw- less cage work was far from necessary, as his teammates mounted a 3-O first-period cushion and neyer allowed the shellshocked Cougars to recover. Mike DeMarchi and Brent Robinson each tallied twice, whiile enforcer Chris Bain also stood out with a goal and two helpers. Rounding out the scoring were Louis D'Avino and Matt Price. At a jam-packed Memorial Mrena Sunday, Milton exploded early once again and outmnuscted the Cougars at just about eveey tumn easing up just long enough t0 allow a pair of goals before clamping down defensively and seaiing the deai. Kevin Morrison sank bis first two of the playoffs, while Bain. DeMarchi, Ryan Bemnardi and Jason Dopaco chipped tn singles. Among those recording assists was young forward Akim Alou, who saw spot duty alongside fellow Marlie calI-up Cody Goloubef. Depending on last night's seventh and deciding tilt between Hamilton and Brampton, Milton will face either Georgetown or Oakville in second-round play, which is scheduled to begin Friday or Saturday. The lceHawks head into round two having won 11I of their last 12 games. and haven't lost at home in more than a month. Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Milton iceHawks' forward Jesse Jenish got the better af this collision with Buriington Cougars' Chris Downey during Sunday's Provincial Junior A Hockey League piayoff contest at Memnoriai Arena. Milton downed the Cougars 6-2, dlaim- ing the first-round series in tive gamnes. Downtime cornes ai good time for 'Hawks The lceHawks still didn*t know whom t.hey 'd be facing in the Westemn Conference semifinals as of last night. What they did know is that thcy weren't tn any hunry to get things stanted again not after a phystcally-punishing series with Burlington that left themn with several key injuiries. Regular season and playoff sconing leader Mike DeMarchi -who notched half-a-dozen goals in fOve games against the Cougars --was the latest to go dossn, taking a knee-on-knee htt fromn Dave Ciantrini late in the ftrst period Sunday. This marked the third straight gamne in which the lceHawks sent a player to sick bay, with defenceman Jason Fortino sufler- ing a concussion last Tuesday and wtnger Adam Pileggi reinjuring bis ankle during an unfontunate tie-up in the offenstve zone Fniday. Wbtle Fortino will likely begin the next round agatnst cither Georgetown or Oakville, DeMarchi and Pileggi are expeet- ed to mtss the first few gaines - at least. Ailments aside, the IceHawks head mbt the conference semnitinas witb some defi- nite momentumn from two decisive wins this past weekend. and weren't playing the preference game when looking ahead to their two possible opponents. -Given that we had more success against Georgetown tbis season. one would think we'd rather face them, but ulttmately you have to beat botb 10 win the West," noted head coach/general manager George Dupont. "Does it reaily matter if you lose in the semis or finals?" Captain Shandor Alphonso said that whomnever bis team takes on next, prosper- ity wtll depend on deltvering the samne aggresstve attack that allowed Milton to wrap up round one so handily. -We can't worry about what the other team's doing. We've just got to come to play bard each night and not lay back.- Regardless of whether the IceHawks play Georgetown or Oakville ini the second round, Milton will host the series' second game Sunday at Memorial Arena. begin- nrng at 3 p.m. .ýeeUp1A1sSWIM '110 ýrl"WIBOUIIC ,'BEGISTER NOW FOR SPRING m_ & SUMMER CLASSES 'f 15 week program 6 days/week e For infants, children, teens & aduits PRIVATE - Semi (max. 2 children) - Semni (max. 3 children) eRed Cross Level 1-12 e Royal Life Saving 1-2-3 e Rangers e Rookies e Bronze Medallion e Bronze Cross e S.R.A. 250 ~ ~ ~ ' Brnt St S. 958894