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Jon Kuiperij Sports Editor sports@oakvillebeaver.com Sports by Herb Garbutt Oakville Beaver Staff 45 | Thursday, April 23, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" Buzz may be younger this season, but expectations remain high The Oakville Buzz will be much younger this year, but don't even think about calling it a rebuild. The Buzz is coming off a 16-4 season. However, there was little celebrating after its best Ontario Jr. B lacrosse campaign since 2008, which ended when Akwesasne rallied from a 2-0 series deficit to win three straight and eliminate the Buzz in the conference semifinal. "It was definitely a tough way to go out, but the coaches got together in October, looked at the depth chart and decided we just need to retool, reload and take another charge at this league," said OAKVILLE BUZZ 2015 SCHEDULE Mike Bentivegna, who is 1 FRI, APR 24 8:00 NEWMARKET FRI, MAY 1 8:00 CLARINGTON taking on the dual role as 2 SUN, MAY 3 2:00 @ ORILLIA head coach and general 3 4 FRI, MAY 8 8:00 BRAMPTON manager this season. "We 5 SAT, MAY 9 7:00 NEPEAN SUN, MAY 10 2:00 GLOUCESTER have the expectation every 6 THU, MAY 14 8:00 @ CLARINGTON year to contend. Rebuild- 7 8 FRI, MAY 15 8:00 MISSISSAUGA ing is not something that 9 WED, MAY 20 8:00 BRAMPTON 10 FRI, MAY 22 8:00 HALTON HILLS even enters our mind." WED, MAY 27 8:00 @ MISSISSAUGA The reason for the 11 12 SAT, MAY 30 7:00 @ KAHNAWAKE younger Buzz squad is 13 SUN, MAY 31 2:00 @ AKWESASNE 8:00 @ HALTON HILLS twofold. First, the Buzz is 14 THU, JUN 4 FRI, JUN 12 8:00 ORILLIA a victim of its own success, 15 16 SAT, JUN 13 7:00 @ BRAMPTON with players like last year's 17 SUN, JUN 14 7:00 @ NEWMARKET 8:00 @ MARKHAM leading scorer Andrew 18 WED, JUN 17 FRI, JUN 19 8:00 MARKHAM Kew, Justin Martin and Pat 19 20 SAT, JUN 20 8:00 @ HALTON HILLS Shea moving up to Jr. A. Second, there is the number of talented players moving "(McQueen) made the team as a up through the local minor systems. 16-year-old and he's grown up with Nowhere will that be more apparent us and matured. He's the guy that than in net where two 16-year-olds, can calm everybody down and in a Bailey Brown and Kyle Hebert, will big game, he's the guy with the ball split time. on his stick," Bentivegna said. "(Re"They play two very different naud) is a guy every organization styles and we're extremely confident would love to have. He'll do whatin both of them," Bentivegna said. ever it takes." "We had some opportunities, but we Defensively, the Buzz will have didn't think we had to make a move Liam Corbett and Ben Heidecker for a veteran goalie." back. That duo helped the Guelph Both goalies have had accomGryphons win the Canadian UniverKeyan McQueen (left, pictured in action last season against the Halton Hills Bulldogs) will captain the Oakville Buzz this year. The fourthyear player collected 49 points in just 14 games last season. | Oakville Beaver file photo plished minor careers. Brown was see Buzz on p.47 the only goalie selected in this year's Jr. A draft (by Burlington, 16th overall). Hebert has been a staple on the provincial team and won a silver medal at the Ontario Summer Games last year. There will be plenty of veteran support in other areas, including up front where Keyan McQueen, the team's new captain, and Eddie Renaud are expected to lead the offence. McQueen had 49 points in just 14 games last year and added 31 more in nine playoff games. Renaud is entering his fourth season with the Buzz, having increased his goal and point totals each season, highlighted by a 26-goal, 58-point campaign last year. receive a free appetizer With this coUpoN! (expires may 31/2015) moNday 7pm trivia WedNesday 8pm KaraoKe thUrsday Live acoUstic act satUrday Live baNd 1/2 priced appetizers sUN - Wed after 6pm 379 Speers Road Oakville · 905-338-5458 · www.draftedsportsbar.com