The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Blades coach pleased with season Two AAA Rangers teams win OMHA titles When it comes to expectations for either himself or his charges, Mike Tarantino likes to set the bar high. Ten months ago, Tarantino listed contending for an Ontario Junior Hockey League championship as the goal when he was named head coach of the Oakville Blades. The Blades wound up falling short of that lofty target, bowing out in the second round of the OJHL playoffs Saturday with a 7-2 loss to the defending champion Toronto Patriots that sealed Toronto's 4-1 series win. But Tarantino, who also teaches at Garth Webb Secondary School, handed out a favourable grade when asked to assess his team's season Tuesday. "I don't want to say (the goal of winning a title) was unrealistic. Now that we're eliminated, you can say it was unrealistic. But back then, you had to set the goals high," said the Oakville native, who inherited a team that had missed the playoffs last spring for the first time since 2001. "If you go into a season where you're saying we hope to make the playoffs, you've got the wrong mindset in my opinion. "I'd give us a B-plus. You couldn't question the effort. The kids gave everything they had, and that's all you can ask." The Blades lost four of their five games in the conference semifinals, but they were competitive throughout. After the teams split the first two games of the series, Toronto posted 3-1 and 4-2 wins to take a 3-1 series lead. In Game 5 Saturday, the Patriots led 3-2 after two periods before blowing the game open in the final frame. "After the first four games, we were down 3-1 and we could have arguably been up 3-1 or at least tied 2-2. I think that takes a little life out of you," said Tarantino. So might have the Blades' first-round series against the Orangeville Flyers, when Oakville had to overcome a 3-1 deficit to prevail in seven games. Tarantino pointed out the Blades had five days between the two series, but acknowledged the opening round may have taken a physical toll on his squad. "You want to get series done quick so guys can heal," said Tarantino, whose team lost regulars Kamil Tkaczuk, Josh Kosack and Paul Butler to injury during Round 2. Kosack and Butler are among approximately 10 players likely to be back next year as the Blades look to build on what they accomplished this season. Goaltenders Daniel Mannella and Brendan McGlynn are also eligible to return. "This team (missed the playoffs last year) and improved to third (in the conference) in the regular season, won a round and finished in the final eight of the league," Tarantino said. "That's not a bad turnaround for six months. "Our goal next year is to be better." -- Jon Kuiperij Two Oakville Rangers teams won Ontario Minor Hockey Association AAA championships Sunday. The peewee AAA Rangers scored three unanswered goals in the third period to defeat the Barrie Jr. Colts 4-1 in their final at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. The minor peewee AAA Rangers claimed their title in even more dramatic fashion, as Joshua Bloom scored in overtime to give Oakville a 2-1 victory over the Richmond Hill Coyotes at Burlington's Central Arena. Coverage of both OMHA tournament wins will appear in Friday's edition of the Beaver. It can also be found online at www.oakvillebeaver.com. 39 | Thursday, March 26, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Soccer Player Development socceR pRoGRaMs that Develop plaYeRs InnovatIve technIques to Develop InDIvIDual skIll Game Based LearninG Brain Based LearninG Oakville Summer Registration Now Open! 905-467-2775 pRoGRaM DIRectoR: DIno lopez powered by www.apexfootylab.com Learn More and register at CLIMB HIGH. STAY CLOSE. ALL THE FUN OF MUSKOKA WOODS IN YOUR OWN NEIGHBOURHOOD. CITYCAMP invites kids in Grades 1-6 to discover their true potential in many locations across the Greater Toronto Area. Confidence grows climbing up Spider Mountain, friendships flourish flying down inflatable water slides and creativity reigns with arts and crafts. All while staying close to home. Register today! MuskokaWoods.com 416-495-6960 OAKVILLE THE MEETING HOUSE OAKVILLE THE MEETING HOUSE OAKVILLE FERN HILL SCHOOL OAKVILLE FERN HILL SCHOOL JULY 6-JULY 10 JULY 13-JULY 17 AUGUST 4-AUGUST 7 AUGUST 10-AUGUST 14