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November, 1981 The Castor Review 11 Russell Warriors need a boost i by Garey Ris .The Russell Warriors began their fourth season two weeks ago and from all indications, it's not going to be a banner year either for the team er the fans who pay to watch what is called In- termediate C Hockey. The league has fallen on hard times and has been going downhill at a fast rate since its inception. Only four teams, Russell, Em- brun, Limoges and Casselman re- main involved; two. teams volun- tarily dropped out following the 1980-81 season because the league has banned body contact. Now it's almost as exciting as watching your grass grow. The rule was put into effect to curb fighting and while it might do that, it also takes something out of the game: excite- ment. es If the league really wanted to reduce violence, it should have in- creased penalties which would deter players from fighting. Fighting should be eliminated from all levels of the game but not at the expense of the product, especially when the players are in the over-18 age bracket. The Warriors play uninspiring, monotonous, listless hockey -- at best. Their offensive talent is good; the team scores lots of goals. Where it lacks is defensively and in the goaltender position. In two recent games, the Warriors blew three goals leads in both games, losing one and tying one. Changes must be made if the War- _Tiors are to be considered serious contenders. The defence is sloppy, they're constantly caught out of position, resulting in many two- on-ones and the occasional partial breakaway. Defence is a major problem and it is "important Russell lessen mistakes in the defensive zone if it hopes to turn this disastrous season. After their initial season in which the team enjoyed-great suc- cess, the team has -become the doormats of the league. The Warriors won only five in 25 games two years ago (they managed five ties), and were just as pathetic last year even though they did play excellent hockey at times. Early last season, they rode a three-game winning streak before the roof caved in. Con- sistency is vital and the Warriors can use it desperately. Over the past two seasons, Russell has ob- tained some excellent talent, only to lose it to other leagues pro- viding a bigger challenge. The league would improve greatly if it would promote itself. Never have I received a call from a league official offering stories on completed games or even the stan- dings and scoring leaders. To create interest among the fans, why not get them involved during one of the intermissions? They could have a Showdown- type competition in which the win- ner receives two tickets to an Ot- tawa 67's hockey game or something of that nature. More posters should be put up and not just in Russell but in Embrun and Metcalfe also. Russell made a grave mistake by switching hockey from Sunday afternoons to Friday nights. The Metcalfe Jets usually play Fridays and it's hard to attract people to an Intermediate C. game_when Junior B is available seven miles away. I remember one game in Met- calfe last year when there were at least 30 people from Russell wat- ching the Jets do battle with the Winchester Hawks. If there is a next year, and I hope there is, the Warriors should seriously con- sider reverting to Sunday after- noon hockey. I'd also hope the league reinstates body contact: Oldtimers face off by Bruce G. Woolsey A With the onset of colder weather, hockey teams are now making their presence felt in the area arenas. Minor Hockey players, parents and fans can be found in fair numbers-in our own Dr. F. Kinnaird arena during the early mornings and on into the early evenings. But not all the hockey players are minors, such as the "old" boys on the Russell Oldtimer Recreational Hockey League who occupy the ice on Thursday even- ings from 8 to 10 p.m. and if ap- pearance has anything to do with how well a fellow plays hockey then the RORHL players will do themselves proud this year because each team member is sporting a new sweater for this the 1981-82 season. A' big thank you goes out to Griffith Cartage Ltd., Don's Gas Bar, Gerry Leroux Excavating, -. Mike Miller's Mister Gas, McVey Insurance, Quaile Excavating Ltd., Richard's Garage and Voyageur Pontiac Ltd. for their continued support in sponsoring -these new sweaters. Diesel, no-lead and regular gas available HIGHWAY 31 at METCALFE CORNER Michael Miller & Tyrone Franey OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK ASSOCIE AUTOMOTIVE LTD. MACHINE SHOP SERVICE FIELD <<s2-~ ASSOCIATE TOOLS & EQUIPMENT BODY SHOP SUPPLIES Mon. - Fri. 8 - 5:30 p.m. Sat. 8 - Noon INDUSTRIAL PARK EMBRUN 443-5141 18 Maybe the hockey would return to the level played in the first year when Russell drew large numbers to their games, especially during the playoffs. Intermediate hockey can be sold in Russell -- with some hard work. Otherwise, the Warriors will disappear into oblivion. Is anybody out there listening? A tight play around the goal during Russell Warriors 4-7 loss to Cassellman early this month. The Warriors dropped the game after striking out to a 3-0 lead in the first period. Garey Ris photo Ramblings Bless those Expos fans... by Jack McLaren For the most part I like to stick to local sports issues and activities in this column. However I can't let this November issue go by without saying a few' words about the World Series and_ those magnificent Los Angeles Dodgers. For little do people know that indirectly it changed dramatically or at least had a marginal affect on the lives of a few individuals in . the community. There are still those who let their hearts rule their head, yes even in Russell and during weaker moments have been known to make what can be refer- red to as irrational bets. There appears to be few Dodger fans in the community but those of us who held fast and true are now savouring the victory. We knew all alorig the Dodgers were mightier than the Yankees with their tempermental million dollar athletes and owner Dear George Steinbrenner. The rewards for some local sports enthusiasts have been, to say the least, most gratifying. For instance, Frank Thompson, the only other alleged Dodger fan in Russell, will never again drive an unwashed car now that a new free car wash has opened up at 30 Castor Street. A quick persual of your telephone directory will soon iden- tify the owner and the show begins every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. I'm not sure the owner has officially opened the business to the public, but if you wash one you might as well wash them all. Perhaps next year he will offer free wax and shine as well. In addition some paper money has exchanged hands. I still have five big ones to collect from a cer- tain Expo fan. As well, I'm still waiting even at this late date to collect on a non monetary bet. There is an old Chinese-saying, those who cherish "shaggy" beards ought not to make bet in haste. I can't quite understand the delay, after all it does grow back in again, at least mine does if I don't shave every morning. I'll even donate the blade. Mighty grateful to those Expo and Yankee fans. Women's hockey begins Russell young women have started a hockey team breaking in- to what has been a _ male- dominated sport. . Also in the league are Osgoode, Metcalfe, Embrun and Kemp- tville. Any girl under 19 years of age can join the team to play Canada's fastest game. For information call Don Empey at 445-5645. BUFFET LUNCH CURLING CLUB New Year's five Party at Benny'S "Philip SMVey Orchestra "Dancing 9 p.m.--I a.m. ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY ADMISSION $10. PER PERSON