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SPORTS Editor: Norm Nelson Phone: 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: nnelson@haltonsearch.com W E D N E S D A Y . S E P T E M B E R IS . 2 (X > 2 · P a g e 1)1 Impressive start for Blades with weekend sweep By Sarah Elliott SPECIA L T O TH E BEAVER Glen Thiessen · Oakville Beaver HE SCORES! the Oakville Blades couldn't have asked for a better start, outgunning their opponents 14-4 in an opening weekend sweep. Seen potting one of five goals over the weekend is Oakville product Rob Tarantino. In the bottom photo, a celebration ensues. OAKVILLE BLADES UPCOMING SCHEDULE DATE SEP. 13 SEP. 14 SEP.19 FRI. SAT. VISITOR HOME OAKVILLE 10, Streetsville 3 OAKVILLE 4, Burlington 1 AT BUFFALO TIME THUR OAKVILLE 8:15 SEP.20 FRI. HAMILTON AT OAKVILLE 7:45 *SEP.22 SUN.. Port Hope vs OAKVILLE9:15 a.m. * college showcase weekend game at Erin Mills Twin Arenas. SEP.24 TUES OAKVILLE AT STREETSVILLE 8:00 SEP.27 FRI. MILTON AT OAKVILLE 7:45 The Oakville Blades opened up their Ontario provincial junior A regular season in impressive fashion with a week end sweep on home ice at Ice Sports. Friday night, in their season opener, the Blades played host to the Streetsville Derbys. It was a blow-out for the Blades who won 10-3 in what was an exciting way to start off the season for not only the team, but for the fans as well. Many of the Oakville players shone throughout the game, including veterans Mike Ruberto who had five points and Rob Tarantino who had four points, with each of them get ting a hat trick. Kevin Harvey also helped out with a goal and an assist. Rookie Nick Dodge also managed a hat-trick for the night, for an impressive debut. Dodge, last year, played for the Oakville bantam rep team. One o f O akville's best ever minor hockey teams, the team scooped a third consecutive Ontario M inor Hockey Association (OMHA) championship and were finalists in the provincial championship. "N ick comes to us as a very fast paced, speedy forward, who has a great vision of the ice," commented head coach Jay Anderson. "It will only be a matter of time until Nick is making an impact in every game that he plays in." Nick and his teammates also did a great job of penalty killing, especially Friday night when tempers were really high. During the second period there was a five-on-five brawl, which cost the Blades four players for Saturday night's game, as well as the game tomorrow night (Thursday) in Buffalo. Saturday night, the Blades hosted the Burlington Cougars, and went into the game somewhat pessimistically because of the players they were missing. Forwards Steven Pinizzotto, Kevin Harvey, and Zach Diluca, and defender Scott Russell were all out of the game due to suspensions from Friday night's altercations. The Blades were also missing forwards Tyler Woodisse, due to release problems, and Charlie Giffin (another Oakville bantam grad) who is nursing a broken collarbone, which he suffered in an exhibition game. Going into the match on Saturday night, Oakville was down five forwards, two of whom play on their second line. However, the Blades still managed a 4-1 win. Dan Giffin had a terrific night in net, and managed to pre vent the Cougars from scoring until late in the game when he was robbed o f his shutout by Burlington's Frank Fazio. Rob Tarantino had another strong night with two goals, and Geoff Aselstine and M att Ruberto added another one each. The Oakville Soccer Club has had phenomenal success "We are looking for leadership from our older players," this season with an abundance of its players and teams said coach Anderson. "In the two games, we had a total of involved in international, national and provincial com 18 points from the veterans on the top two lines." petition. This past weekend, however, the house league The Blades had a slow start last season, with one win and finals took centre stage. LEFT PHOTO: in U-16 girls four losses, and are being sure not to make that same mis action, Network Leasing fell to BDO 1-0. RIGHT take again this year. PHOTO: U-12 girls, Verdi Hair (green) vs Maple Lodge They eventually settled for a three-way tie for first place Farms. ADDITIONAL PHOTO: page D3. last season (with 71 points), and don't want to have the excuse of a slow start this season. Peter McCusker · Oakville Beaver The Blades head to Buffalo tomorrow night to take on the Lightning and then host Hamilton Kilty B 's on Friday at Ice Sports. Game time is 7:45 p.m. This weekend, they also play in the annual college week end showcase on Sunday morning versus Port Hope of the Eastern Conference. The game is at Erin Mills Twin Rinks in Mississauga at 9:15 a.m. On the Ball! WEEKEND SCORING SUMMARY Oakville 10, Streetsville 3 (Fri., Sept. 13) PERIOD 1 (2:11) OAK (6:00) STR (7:48) OAK (12:23) OAK (17:09) OAK (17:48) STR (17:56) OAK (19:19) STR PERIOD 2 (2:05) OAK (19:03) OAK PERIOD 3 (1:10) OAK (4:50) OAK (15:14) OAK Mike Ruberto (Marc Pinizzotto, Rob Tarantino) PP Steve Donnelly (Sean Bradley, Chris Clarkson) Kevin Harvey (Matt Ruberto, Mark Menchella) PP Rob Tarantino (Marc Pinizzotto) Mike Ruberto (Marc Pinizzotto, Matt Ruberto) PP Lucas Schott (Chris Vito, Chris Clarkson) Rob Tarantino (Daryl Simich, Scott Russell) Jason Dopaco (Chris Vito) PP Nick Dodge (Kevin Harvey) Nick Dodge (Geoff Aselstine) Rob Tarantino (Mike Ruberto, Matt Ruberto) Nick Dodge (Mike Ruberto, Mark Menchella) Mike Ruberto Oakville 4, Burlington 1 (Sat. Sept. 14) PERIOD 2 (3:13) OAK (10:47) OAK PERIOD 3 (5:26) OAK (15:41) BUR (16:20) OAK Rob Tarantino (Mark Menchella) PP Geoff Aselstine (Daryl Simich) Rob Tarantino (Mike Ruberto, Paul Metcalfe) SH Frank Fazio (Noah Hamilton, Jared Wiseman) Matt Ruberto (Nick Dodge, Mike Ruberto) PP K V E Friday, Sept. 20 at 7:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27 at 7:45 p.m. H AM ILTO N K ltW ft's vs OAKVILL6 ALADCS at Oakville Ice Sports Centre 4 i M ILTO N MERCHANTS vs O AKVILLC ALADCS at Oakville Ice Sports Centre