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D2 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, February 9, 2000 Tough luck in local tournaments Halton high schools resume their sports schedule this week after the exam break. There were, of course, plenty of exhibition tournaments to keep the players limbered up, including two prestigious local ones -- the Sheridan Cup basketball tourney, run by the Sheridan Bruins men's college basket ball team, and the Burlington-based Bur-Bear hockey tourney. Oakville had tough luck, this year. In the Sheridan Cup, there was only one Oakville entry. White Oaks lost their opener 50-41 to eventual finalist Port Credit. White Oaks then bowed out with a consolation semifinal tournament loss to Burlington Central, 52-40. Burlington Nelson won the tourney 70-62 over Port Credit. BUR-BEAR TOURNEY In the Burlington-based Bur-Bear tourney, Oakville had four teams in the A-pool (White Oaks, Q.E. Park, Iroquois Ridge and Blakelock) and two teams in the B-pool (Loyola and Appleby College). In the A pool, none o f the teams made it out of their preliminary pool. Q.E. Park whipped SilverHeights 5-1 but were blasted 6-0 by (See 'high school' page D6) WHAT EXAM BREAK: Both Photos by Barrie Erskine the high school sports schedule resumes this week after the exam break. During the break there were plenty of exhibition tourneys, including these two highly regard ed local ones (see adjacent story). LEFT PHOTO: in the Sheridan Cup basketball tourney, Mitch Mitchell (#35) of White Oaks makes the big jam against Port Credit. White Oaks lost 50-41 and bowed out in the consolation semifinal 52-40 to Burlington Central. RIGHT PHOTO: in the Bur-Bear hockey tourney, White Oaks (white jersey) lost this opening game 7-3 to Burlington Notre Dame. It was tough luck all around for Oakville teams, with none making it through to the quarterfinals in the A pool. In the B pool, Loyola was a semifinalist. B ring o n G eorgetow n By Matt Nimmo SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER HEAD TO HEAD In regular season play against Georgetown, the Blades had two ties and four losses. Oct. 8,3-6 Oct. 23, 4-6 Nov. 12, 3-4 Dec. 11, 3-3 Jan. 21,4-7 Jan. 29, 4-4 Super Sum m er w i n e S a le Feb. 1M9 To enjoy Summer Wine at its VERY BEST it should be started NOW BUY 2 PREMIUM BATCHES SAVE UP TO $60 CERTAIN CONDITIONS APPLY HOURS: Mon. - wed., 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. · Thurs. - Fri., 11:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Maple Grove Village Mall 511 Maple Grove Dr., Oakville 8 4 4 -8 9 8 9 The Oakville Blades, with a host of callups in their line-up, finished off their provincial junior A regular season schedule on Sunday with a 3-3 tie against traditional powerhouse and archrival Milton. Now, as they say, the slate is wiped clean and everyone (that made the playoffs, that is) starts afresh, which is a good thing for the Blades. They would probably just as soon forget the regular season, having managed to secure them selves, in uncharacteristic fashion, only the eighth and final playoff spot in the 10-team west divi sion. That brings with it the honour of taking on none other than the league leading first place team, the Georgetown Raiders. But it's a challenge that Blades coach Jay Anderson said his team is ready to take on, despite the disparity of their regular season fortunes. Anderson certainly knows his enemy. After all, he started out as their coach this year before being canned before Christmas and picked up, shortly after, by the Blades who shuffled their own coach ing deck. Anderson had previously coached the Blades. Anderson never promised an immediate turn around, but said it would take time to work in his system. BLADES VS GEORGETOWN (opening round series) Saturday Feb. 12 at Georgetown at Oakville Sunday, Feb. 13 at Georgetown Tuesday, Feb. 15 at Ice Sports Friday, Feb. 18 Saturday, Feb. 19 at Georgetown at Ice Sports Sunday Feb. 20 Tuesday, Feb. 22 at Georgetown i f necessary Well, with the Blades closing out the regular season unbeaten in five games (three wins, two ties) that system, he believes, is battle ready. "We've been playing playoff hockey," said Anderson. "We have a good shot at anybody." He is very pleased with the energy his club has going into the post-season. "We have so much momentum. Momentum is a huge thing. We are peaking at the right time ... "It's not just one line creating the offence -- we have four lines that are rolling." The series kicks off this weekend with Georgetown hosting the first game on Saturday and the Blades hosting the second game at Ice Sports Oakville in their usual Sunday slot (at 7:15 p.m.). While Georgetown closed out the regular sea son with a meaningless game against Streetsville last night (it went beyond our press deadlines), the Blades are idle for the week, but that's not a con cern for coach Anderson. "The confidence won't be lost during the layoff. We have to keep the intensity during practice. We will be a lot more fresh." Oakville's 3-3 tie against Milton on Sunday fea tured the strong play of Blades' call-up goaltender Dane Gilbert who was solid all night against a potent Milton offence. Milton was the first club to score in each of the first three periods, however, Oakville was able claw back from those deficits. Oakville had goals from Jason Sajko, Derek Klowak and Eugene Repa. Assists came from Perry Ryerson (2), Stu MacCrimmon, Chris Pethick, Repa and Chris Knighton. v J n te r o u r d ra w a n d u o u c o u ld w in t lis fa b u lo u s [fte a d in c j oom. WE'LL BE HOLDING OUR READING ROOM RAFFLE* FROM FEBRUARY 8TH - 20TH. For just tw o dollars you could be our winner, relaxing in your own sum ptuous study w ith a state of the art computer system, stunning desk unit and superb furnishings all valued at five thousand dollars. Tickets are only tw o dollars each or you can buy three for five dollars, w ith the proceeds go ing to the Friends of the Library. Come to Centre Court, view the room and get your tickets w hile they last. The draw will be held on Sunday, February 20th at 2:30pm. The Reading Room prize is courtesy of Compucentre, Sear's W hole Home, English Butler, Crafters' Marketplace, the Bay and Rob McIntosh. 110 Fine Stores Includ ing The Bay · Sears · IGA w w w .o a kvillep lace.co m Oakville ' ft BEST OF 7 DAYS GAME 1 GAME 2 GAME 3 Sat. Feb. 12 Oakville Blades vs. Georgetown Raiders at Georgetown Sun. Feb. 13 Oakville Blades vs. Georgetown Raiders at Ice Sports Centre Tues. Feb. 15 Oakville Blades vs. Georgetown Raiders at Georgetown GAME 4 GAME 5 GAME 6 GAME 7 Fri. Feb. 18 Sat. Feb. 19 Oakville Blades vs. Georgetown Raiders at Ice Sports Centre Oakville Blades vs. Georgetown Raiders at Georgetown Sun. Feb. 20 Oakville Blades vs. Georgetown Raiders at Ice Sports Centre Tues. Feb. 22 Oakville Blades vs. Georgetown Raiders at Georgetown m