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This season. he’s flanked by Chris Porter. who is also among the league's top scorers with 17 goals and 20 assists in 26 games. Center- ing the pair is Drake (Zaggjula. who lt-ccndy mm to the Spirit after starting the season with the Des Moines Baccaneers of the linked Slates Hockey League. While crediting Neal and vun Engelbrechten in helping him become the Spirit's second-highâ€" es1 scorer Finch was quick to note much of what success he's attained so far this campaign could be attributed to skating alongside another set of good linemates. mhayakawa @vrmgxom After moving to forward from defence for the Stoufiville Spirit last season, Christian. Finch had what might be described as a breakuul campaign with 29 goals and 54 assists in 50 regular season ganws Bur with MD of his regular line- mates in Man Neal and Tyler vun Engelbrwhren having graduated from the liar two luniur A ranks to ‘collogol university roams, one of the biggest questions was; if Finch could replicate those numbers. With the regular season now past the midway point. the 20-year- old. third-year Spirit veteran has silenced any In 26 the SiX-fUOL IBEâ€" pound Finch was the Spirit's lead- ing point getter with 19 goals and, 33 thmug'o Sunday's game and ranks among the league's stor- ing J What Finch has accomplished so far season hasn't surprised him at all. I ' SPORTS: Linemates change, Finch keeps scoring "I’m a player who expects a lot out of myself." the Claremom resi- dent said. ‘ Having Gaggiula return to the fold has been ablessing. He put up good numbers in his rookie Cam- paign a year ag) before suffering a concussion during the third round of the playoffs against. the Newman ker Hurricanes In his conversations with the (liaison hockey staff. Finch was quick to polntoutthey wanted him (Porter) been play- ing much better (his year and with Drake ((Lagiula) back it's a big stepupbecameweneededale centre So far it's worked out well." Finch said. Finch toyed extra time dur- ing the offseason mrldng out wflh Spirit strength and conditioning coach Randy Smith at his (kxmley facility. Pan of that included his accep- mnce of a fun scholarship offer to attend Clittsowumwmity in the fallonOI-Z‘hispmsummer. Almesametirne.chhwasnm intent onrestingon hislaurels ofa College coaches want Spirit. veteran to be ‘ZOOâ€"foot player’ BY MICHAEL MAYAKAWA SCHOLARSHIP OFFER N0 SURPRISE to be a more complete player upon his arrival to the Potsdam. N.Y.. campus “They wanted me, to be a 200- foot player.” he said in temas of being a gmfldefensivc and neutral wne player as well as what he could do in the op'position's end of the ice. “They want to make sure my defenâ€" sive side of the game was there and I think they saw that in me iast year during the playoffs.” mtwasalsoa Spirit Imposed on him. the "We chalienged Christian to he a better all-amund playct in terms of what he can do in the defean and neutral mnc." cited Donovan. "To his cruiit. he's applied himself. Having played on the blueline certainly made things easier for Finch. “But with Drake (Cagiulâ€"a) now on his line he's a highly skilled phy- er and Chris (Pbrtet) has barn play- ing well. 'lhete's little if any dmpofl in points "He mignacmallybeaheadof Mmhcwasatmesunctimea warm? WtFinchhasdomtoimpm himselflhis year. Donovan said. Is Inplaylnghardalbmhcndsohhc ice. “I'm pieawd with his play he's gcfinitely a better player “By playing on defence. it made me realm how important position- al play is.” he said “It's helped me for sure." Spirit head coach Craig Dono- van wasm the least bit surprised at Finch’s ability to perform as well as he did last season. - “A lot of people thought there might be a little drop 05 from an assist point of View became when Matt (Neal) was playing with Chris- tian he could finish off plays D TIROMlannoumedyestadaythat (hdsthnFMhaswonmeGongshw WMMCWepIayaofme ’ mthhonomiuscomgvpomsin sevengminflwembu. CHM FINCN: man-tumed--tomard flourish (his season. MAVAY MAYER me defiance» W003 to The Smuffvllle Spirit will send fuur players to the inaugural Central Canada Cup Challenge later this month in Smiths Falls. ON. StouffVille player's added to allâ€"star contest Visit bassproxom for additional store info. Pro seminars by our top ice fishing vendors. Hurricanes’ goaltender lawn Puu‘iarelli and fur- wards lefl' DiNaflo and Daniel heavens. who Wt'l'l,’ ‘Ibam Canada East teammates of Geiger. will be joined by Matt Dineen. Adam Davies. 'Iylcr Mun. Morgan: Bonner. Webster and Chris Chistc. 'lhe dMskm-leading Newmarke! Hurriuuws will send nine playem ' wmwmmwm mmmuummwmum mmsummuwm mummm Mmuhmmmumfloflu rmmmmumnmrâ€"y momnaMuwnmmmw-mm spam mu nouns mm: Sunday, December 11 7-10pm