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Sport Ramblings = a Jack McLaren re 4 CDMHL Getting Stronger The Carleton-Dundas Minor Hockey League, which has been in ex- istence for a few years, is recognized as one of the finest minor hockey leagues in this area. It operates with seemingly few problems and has served the communities of Winchester, Metcalfe & District, Chester- ville, Kemptville, Morrisburg and Russell with a level of hockey tailored to their needs. In the last couple of years, there is evidence that a couple of communities are getting stronger and in fact are starting to dominate the league. Metcalfe and District along with Winchester have shown considerable improvement and are claiming the top spots in most of the Divisions. Chesterville teams also show strength in certain areas. Teams from Russell are showing signs of struggling to keep up with the com- petition and in fact all local teams were eliminated from further com- petition in the first round of the play-offs. The Metcalfe and District improvement can be traced to a decision reached a couple of years ago between the Metcalfe and Greely Hockey Associations. At that time the two associations decided to merge under Ale ' the Metcalfe and District Hockey Association. This merger has paid off handsomely as far as their competitive teams are concerned. Win- chester's success can be attributed in part to the fact that they have a greater number of young players from which to choose plus the fact the town shows a lot of enthusiasm towards this winter sport. Chesterville teams will undoubtedly show vast improvement due to a recent decision to merge with the Crysler Minor Hockey Association beginning in the 1980-81 season. It is obvious that based on these decisions Russell Minor Hockey Teams will face even tougher competition in the years that lie ahead. In my view the Russell Minor Hockey Association has three choices: (1) It can consider a merger with a neighbouring community. (2) It can continue under the present system knowing that the competi- tion will be getting tougher. (3) It can drop down to a lower level of competition within the CODMHL or some other league. The latter would be a step backwards and totally unacceptable. While No. 2 could be acceptable it will become more difficult as time goes on. The Russell area will probably not grow at a rate which will make its teams competitive with the three areas mentioned above. This leaves No. | the most desirable alternative. It seems to.me that this just may be the time for Russell and Embrun Hockey Associations to begin merger talks. : 2 Undoubtedly there would be minor obstacles to overcome but the outcome should be most beneficial for both associations. In fact, a beginning has already taken place with a few Embrun boys playing on Russell teams this past season. ; I recall that a few years back Embrun teams made application to par- ticipate in the CDMHL but were refused for reasons unknown to me. Provided this interest still exists and there is enough support within the Russell Minor Hockey Association then there is no reason why a merger couldn't at least be discussed. If successful it would be the first real sign of cooperation between the two neighboring -towns. It is worth a try. Winter Wonderland The Metcalfe Figure Skating Club will present its finale of the season March 31, 7 p.m., at the Metcalfe Arend. The theme of this year's event © 1S "Winter Wonderland". Instructor Bev Meikle promises an excellent show for area residents. Anyone attending last year's show will know that Bev will live up to her promise. The last few years, the skating -club finale has played to a packed house and everyone was most.impressed by the high calibre of individual skaters as well as group skating events. i The Club has made extra efforts to obtain the best in costumes and the entire show has a professional touch yet maintains a home town atmosphere. This will probably be the final event'staged in the Met- calfe Community Centre 'so plan to .attend and finish the winter season off in first class style. i Pillage Painters WALLPAPER 20% Off All Books Large Selection 445-2037 445-2030 Gordon Fleming VISA SALE CHARGEX 92 Mill St. msaiyas SAS RUSSELL FOOD MART Tyo's Red & White Store "'your friendly grocer'"' Selected meats, produce and groceries Catering . Personal Service -- Best Value , 445-5557 | Metcalfe advances to finals By Garey Ris Two goals by Brice Higgins and Chris Eggens led the Metcalfe Mustangs to a 4-3 victory over the Russell Warriors in Atom "B" ac- tion Feb. 29 at the Dr. Frank Kin- naird Community Centre in Russell. : The win clinches the best of three semi-final 2-1 for the Mustangs who now advance against Winchester in the finals in a best of five affair. Winchester dumped league-leading Mor- risburg to proceed into the finals. The Mustangs opened the scor- ing at 4:12 of the opening period on a goal by Bruce Higgins, assisted by Joe Speek. Russell tied the score at 6:48 of the same period by Richard Ris which was a result of a scramble in front of the Metcalfe net. Metcalfe's Bruce Higgins made it 2-1 just 1:11 later. Metcalfe increased its lead to 4-1 in the middle period on a pair of goals by Chris Eggens at 2:40 and at 6:05. Metcalfe's lead diminished to one goal when Benoit Marion and Jeff Hansen score four minutes appart. The game was almost tied by Ris in the dying seconds. "J; tried to raise. the puck because the goalie was down but hit him in the chest," said the de- jected centreman, "He made a brilliant save." Russell coach Bob Martin said he wasn't disappointed with the loss. _ "I thought the team did quite well in the second and third periods after a slow first period." '"We missed a lot of good oppor- tunities and that is what cost us the game."' Pat McGoff, Metcalfe coach was pleased with his team's effort. 'Everyone played to his fullest potential and it was a great team effort." Tel. Bus. 445-2818 Res. 445-2899 i ONLY $1499.00 Midgets 'hang tough The Russell midgets have ex- perienced a mediocre season as far as their won-lost record -is- con- cerned. Coach Dave Wade, realiz- ing that the team would be com- prised primarily of first. year midget age boys, knew that if the team was to enjoy a successful year a lot of extra effort would have to come from everyone. Towards the end 6f the season his teachings startéd "to ~ pay dividends. Matched_up against the powerful Metcalfe:..and® District midgets, the Russell°team was not expected to' offer "much resistance on the former's 'march' to the championship round. In the first game, the Russell boys upset the Metcalfe team by a 4-1 count and earned the victory. This was only Metcalfe's second loss of the entire season. In the se- cond game played at Metcalfe, Russell got off to an early 2-0 lead but, despite a valiant effort, faded in the third period and was ° defeated by a 5-3 score. One of the goals scored in an empty net. The final game, also played at Metcalfe,' was a thriller right to the end. Despite having chances to score, the Russell boys came: out on the short end. of a 3-1 score with Metcalfe advancing into the finals against Chesterville. In the first game of the final series, Chesterville, who finished in fourth position, were defeated by Metcalfe 7-2. ; Tourney set to go The Russell Minor Hockey Association is finalizing plans for a tournament to be held during the school break, March 17-23, with the final two days set for March 29 and 30. Tournament organizers Barry Carscadden and Mike Miller indicate that teams from as far away as Winnipeg have made application to attend. Basically, it will include teams from the CDMHL, Gloucester area, Carlsbad, Stittsville, St. "Isidore, Embrun, Char-Lan plus the possibility of the Winnipeg team. All divisions from novice to juvenile are being represented with most competition taking Tournament schedule is as follows: Atom II Bantam II Juvenile Pee Wee I Midget I Bantam I Atom I Juvenile Novice Pee Wee II Erik Therkelsen Sz] &Sons Ltd. fil place at two levels. Following the first round of play, there will be a most valuable player medal awarded following each game. Area businessmen have donated these awards and, in addition, a total of 2400 half-pints of good wholesome milk has been donated by the Russell County Milk Board and Sealtest. This will ensure that each player par- ticipating will receive the very best nourishment possible following each game. Trophies will also be presented to the winning team of the tournament aswell as the win- ner of the consolation round. Mon. March 17 7 a.m. -- 6 p.m. Tues. March 18 7 a.m. -- 6 p.m. Tues. March 18 7 p.m. -- 11 p.m. WEd. March 19 7a.m. -- 6p.m. Thurs. March 20 7 a.m. -- 6 p.m. Fri. March 21 7 a.m. --6p.m. Sat. March 22 7 a.m. --6p.m. Sun. Mareh 23 7'a.m.--4 p.m: Sat. March 29 7 a.m. -- 1 p.m. Sun. March 30 7 a.m. -- 6 p.m, Groom your yard in complete comfort with the Wheel Horse B-81 gas-powered lawn trac- 42" tor. 8 HP engine. Fingertip key ignition starting. 36' full- P.O. Box 254 Russell, Ont. floating mower is optional © equipment. Add an optional snow blade for year around usage. ®, WHEEL HORSE MOWER INCLUDED Pye 4s OT a byt dary clahe wii SDt