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I've just finished reading a great book and I thought you might like to hear about it. The name of the book is '"Grapes--A Vin- tage View of Hockey." This is Don Cherry's one and only venture into the literary field, and it's a good one. He got help in writing it from Stan Fischler, probably Canada's most prolific hockey book author. If you like Cherry on the tube in his Hockey Night in Canada role, you'll love this book. The same casual wit comes across in print. lam a big fan of the former NHL coach, and believe that the NHL sorely misses his coaching skills and his theatrical antics behind the bench. "Grapes" traces Cherry's background in hockey from his minor career in Kingston, to his junior days in Barrie, and on to his lengthy ae minor pro days in such hockey towns as Rochester, Springfield and Seattle. What comes across the most is Cherry's true love of the game, even though his playing career and his later career as a coach, seem to have been undermined by the management of the sport. Don Cherry has always been and will always remain a team man. His proximity to his players, and his failure to become a "company man" have always been, not only the keys to his success as a coach, but also the reasons cited for his dismissals from his coaching duties in Boston and in Colorado. According to Cherry, any compromise on his part in an attempt to become more ac- ceptable to the hockey establishment would jeopardize his basic principals of dealing with book worth reading: Don Cherry's 'Grapes' his life on a face-to-face level. If there is one thing which characterizes Don Cherry it is his honesty and straightforwardness. This makes it difficult to be a diplomat, but it enriches a person as a hockey mentor. The fact that Cherry has been ostracized for his views and manners, seems a bit unfair. Aside from his personal hockey history, there is also much insightful information about the Boston Bruins which he coached. This was one of the best teams in the league when he took over, having players like Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito in the lineup. His admiration and deep feeling for his players was intensified for the marvelously- talented Orr, who played through much pain, and still rose above the mortals in the sport. This is the kind of dedication which Cherry inspired through his openness. Much in the book is worth retelling, but space does not permit it here. Cherry tells a fine story in his own inimitable style, and this is what appealed to me as a reader. For more adventures of Don Cherry, and his faithful dog Blue, get a copy of this book, '""Grapes", and sit back and be entertained Just a few random notes to add on here....I haven't heard from too many jof you in regards to the Bowl for Millions program, so I'll be around this weekend....Take your pick in the Super Bowl this Sunday, 'Joe Theissmann and the Redskins seem to be ona roll, but Miami's Dolphins probably have the defence to stop them....Junior C_ playoff matchups will be finalized tonight at a league meeting, so watch for Friday's report. Ron Johnson * Sports Editor x Bell Canada Atoms: best in North America! Silver Stick double overtime victory Midland Bell Canada Major Atoms travelled to Sarnia on Jan. 21, 22, 23 to par- ticipate in the International Silver Stick Tournament as the areas representative. For only the second time in Midland Minor Hockey and the first for an atom team, Midland came out on top, as the champions of the "A" Division. First game pitted Midland against Sarnia. Midland really broke fast from the gate scoring two in the first period, Gary Moore led the forwards scoring first unassisted, followed by Sean Mellravey from Jimmy McLaren. In the second Jimmy McLaren scored twice with Robby Gruber gaining both assists and with seconds remaining Garry Moore scored a beautiful unassisted goal. In the third, there was no let up with all the boys working hard. With Shane Cooper and Jason Laclair holding the fort and David Cooper and Dereck Lemieux playing a strong defence. Midland struck twice with Robby Gruber and Danny Sibley scoring with Todd Weatheral picking up an assist'to end the game. 7-0. Game two saw the Bell atoms pitted against a big strong club from Mooretown. The boys began slowly with Jason Leclair called upon 10 make some spectacular saves. Halfway through the first, a three way passing play between Danny Sibley and Garry Moore saw Gary Puddicombe fire a hard shot to take the lead. In the second Mooretown pressed and on the third rebound scored to tie the game. In the closing seconds of the second period Jimmy McLaren scored assisted by Robby Gruber and Shawn Mcllravey. Both teams played a strong third period and Trevor Irvine took a pass from Gary Miller and poked it home for the third goal. For the final minutes it was end to end, and with just 20 seconds remaining Mooretown scored to draw closer. Midland was not to be denied and with strong checking from Jason Jones, Gary Miller and Gary Puddicombe preserved the 3- 2 victory. Midland now advanced to the final hurdle of the tournament, playing Bolton. As in the past, when the Bell atoms know their opponents, disaster struck. With a combination of poor skating, passing and drive the boys are lucky to be only down one goal. Shane Cooper was called upon numerous times to stop breakaways and rebounds but after topping the puck three times Bolton banged in the rebound to take the lead. With the parents tearing their hair out and cheering to help get them back into the game, Jimmy McLaren scored on a beautiful set up by Garry Moore to tie the score 1-1. Midland now came alive! Bolton's goalie was called upon for some great saves. In the past Bolton would fold but not this time and with Jason Leclair matching the Bolton goalie the game went end to end. The third period ended, and after a few minutes rest, play began; each team giving nothing while the parents went crazy. The first overtime ended with Bolton beginning to show the effects of only twelve skaters. The second overtime period began and it was a carbon copy of the past periods with end to end action. With only 2:39 remaining, Gary Miller broke up a play. Shawn Mcllravey turned up the ice with the puck and fed a pass to Trevor Irvine on the left side, who sent in, deked the goalie, and put the puck between his legs. Midland had won 2-1! With the parents bordering on a nervous breakdown. the boys received the Silver Stick, emblamatic of true champions With the presentations, the Silver Stick committee chose an all star team from the A division, and again Midland was a winner with Jimmy McLaren chosen as the best defenceman. 3 At this time, the team would like to thank the Midland Minor Hockey Association, and its Women's Auxillary for contributing to the cost of sending the boys to Sarnia. The boys would especially like to thank George Weatherall, Randy Jones and Bill Jones Sr. in directing the team, and the parents who helped raise money to offset the bus trip, and also for their great support in the stands and for making the whole tournament a memorable experience. P.S. Thanks to the fire department of Midland for the escort through town, it was a great weekend. an el Cents whip Oro 10-3 as Walter nets four goals by RON JOHNSON Midland Centennials continued to tune up for the Georgian Bay Junior C league playoffs last Friday at Cen- tennial Arena, as they skated to a 10-3 troun- cing of the Oro 77's. Cents started off with a 3-1 lead in the opening 20 minutes, and never looked back. Ken Mugtord scored two of his three goals in the first period to get things started. Scoring star of the game was John Walter. The alternate captain netted four goals in one of his biggest outbursts of the year. Other scorers for the Cents were Joe Beleskey, Doug Kirton, and Dave padding the old stat manned the net for minor penalties in the Wright. sheet. Midland in capable contest, with half of Steve Bressette Allen Maw, Marty fashion, giving up three Midland's going to Doug continued his solid play with four assists, while Rick Rever set up a trio of goals, as did Kirton. It was a good night for Fralick and Dean Reavie scored the goals for Oro, all in different periods. Dwayne _Latondress Net action Midland Secondary School junior girls' volleyball team is fast establishing itself as a local power in high school net action. MSS won its second tournament of the young season on the weekend, when they took the title at Orillia Volleyball Club's invitational tournament. There were two pools of four teams in action on Saturday, featuring - high school squads from Lindsay, Orillia Twin Lakes, -Orilbia Collegiate, Georgetown, Fenelon Falls, Hunt- sville, and Orillia Park Street. Marauders' first goals in 27 shorts. Cents peppered the Oro 'keeper with 54 pucks. Each team took s1x Kirton. There was one powerplay goal, with Walter getting it for the home side at 0:52 of the third. C-notes....last game of the regular season for Cents is Friday night at 8:30 p.m. at Centennial Arena....Stayner Siskins will be here....Walter leads the team in goals with 37 and points with MSS junior girls building opponents were from Lindsay, and _ they caught MSS off guard in the opener, winning 15- 13. Andy Wicksted's girls cam back to win the next two games by seores of 15-8 and 15-13. Immediately follo- wing this action, MSS took to the court to face ODCVI and won handily in straight sets. Scores were 15-0, 15-3, and 15-9. Next victims were Twin Lakes girls, and the results were predictable; 15-3, 15-8, and 15-4 for MSS. Midland, having won its pool, next squared off with Fenelon Falls in one semi-final set. Georgetown and Lind- say were in the other. Midland lost the middle game -due to complacency, but won in three, 15-3, 10-15, and 15-6. This triumph put the Marauders in the finals with Lindsay. This time around, Midland showed its good attack and experience, as they won going away 73 in 31 games...Brian Cadeau is next with 64 points, and leads the team in assists with 38....We'll have the scoring stats for the entire team in Friday's edition. power 15-3 and 15-8. Lady Marauders received medals and the tourney plaque for their victory. This brings MSS junior Marauders' season record to a fine 16-2 mark. Next tourney action for the team is this weekend when they travel to Owen Sound. Wednesday, January 26, 1983,, Page 17