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Home My WebLink AboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1994-10-19, Page 13Will NHL shutdown affect other levels? There is a perception - and initial- ly, it seems perfectly obvious - that with the NHL" shut down in- definitely, all other levels of hockey will prosper. It's natural to assume that died -in -the -wool, gotta -gena -fix rink rats who can't watch the best league will tum to the next league. And it's true that attendance is up in junior, senior and professional leagues all across North America. But would that attendance be up anyway? At least one prominent hockey man in Canada feels that other levels of hockey will not prosper without ,NHL leading the way. David Branch is the long-time commissioner of the Ontario Hock- ey League. He's watched it, or more appropriately helped it, grow from a fledgling junior; loop with changing ownership to a rock -solid, profitable league with prospective new investors lined up to join in. Branch says attendance is strong this season but he doesn't see the NHL lockout as a windfall for the OHL. "Actually, the absence of the Toronto Blue Jays at a time when they usually dominate the scene in Ontario is probably the real reason for a surge in attendance," he said from his office in Scarborough, Ont. "The success of the Toronto to Maple Leafs since Mr. Fletcher took over is the real catalyst for every hockey league in Ontario and a long NHL shutdown might mean a general apathy. I don't think the situation will help us at all." The point is easily overlooked but on second thought, what prompts kids to grab a stick and head onto the street for some shinny? More than likely an NHL game on TV. And who do they pretend to be and wear the sweaters of in their games? With respect, it's not Smith and Jones from the local squad, but Gilmour, Bure, Lafontaine and Ranford. And it doesn't matter how much money they're making, it's the moves they make and league they play in that count. . To further gauge the importance of the NHL ' in the remarkable growth of hockey all over the con-• tinent, ponder these questions: Did Lucknow runners travel to Bramalea for meet Five Lucknow runners travelled to Bramalea last Saturday to compete in cross-country races. Running in the Pee Wee boys race were B.J: Mayer and Hamish Black. The race, an 800 metre course, • was won ' by Hamish receiving the gold medal, and B.J. placing second for the silver medal. In the Mite girls division, Heather Lougheed placed fifth in the 1000 metre course. Nigel Black and andy Lougheed placed second and eighth respec- tively in the Tyke boys 1500 metre race. The next competition is the MTA Ontario Championships on Satur- day, Oct.' 22? commencing at 10 a.m. at F.E. Madill in Wingham. Monday Night Ladies' H.S. Wendy Ritchie 195, H.T. Tracey Norman 487. Men's H.S. and H:T. Eric Taylor 266, 697. Games over 209: Harold Elliott 213, 233, Robert Jones 209, 217. Bryce Ritchie 229, Emerson Howald 224, 254, Martin LeBreton 230, Dave Humphrey 237, John Van Diepen 238, Eric Taylor 251, 266, Gerry Vander Klippe 224, 203. Standings: Newfies 22, Midnight Rollers 15, Looney Tunes 15, Lights Out 14, Angels 12, Bluebirds 5. Non-smoking league Ladies' H.S. and H.T. Bea Griffin 224, 558.. Men's H.S. Chuck Morris 233, H.T. Gerald Rhody 563. Games over 200: Chuck. Morris 233, Bea Griffin 224, Leonard Clark 202, Gerald Rhody 225, Lea Ann Haldenby 203, Bob Jones 214, Tom Downey 201. ' Town and Country Ladies' H.S. and H.D. Shirley Brooks 195, 353. John McKinnon and Dick Nettleton tied for men's H.S. 165 and H.D. 283. Games 150 and over: Shirley Brooks 195, 158, Fem McDonald 168," 151, Caroline Menary 181, Kay McCormick 173, Jean Ross 151, Dick Nettleton 165, John McKinnon 165, Grant Farrish 155, Dave Moffat 151. 'Peam points: Pansies 10, Tulips 9, Crocuses 9, Hyacinths 8, Daf- fodils 5, Snowdrops 4. Ripley Mixed Men's H.S. and H.D. Al Schaus 193, 356. Ladies' H.S. Shirley Adams 162, H.D. Marion Gamble 268. Games over 150: Al Schaus 163, 193, Ed Fink 160, 158, Shirley Adams 162. Standings: Chevics 10,6 Pontiacs BOWLING 10, Fords 9, Buicks 8, Hondas 6, Oldsniobile 2. Wednesday Night Mixed Men's H.S. and H.T. Steve Van Osch 288, •708. Ladies' H.S. Bev Gibson 254, H.T. Rozz Kitchell 615. Games over 200: Tom Hogan 215, Ron Cassidy 236, 212, .Rozz Kitchell .205, 218; Carol Phillips 201, Jim DeBoer 232. Standings: BJs 11, Gladiators 10, Generics 7, Challengers 7, Chip- munks 5. Thursday Night Ladies Oct. 6 - H.S. Marion Tones 270, H.T. Belinda' Sloetjes 601. Games over 200: Thelma Affleck 21.3, Lois Chaput 205, Wendy Ritchie 200, Marion Jones 270, Shirley Allen 214, Belinda Sloetjes 204, 216, Diane Archer 204: Oct. 13 - H.S. Lois Chaput 259, H.T. Belinda Sloetje's 579. Games over . 200: Lois Chaput. 259, Belinda Sloetjes 239, 205. ' Standings: Kool Cucumbers 151/2, Corn Heads 111/2, Carmelettes 10; Hot Tomatoes 10, Cauliflower Ears 8, Tutti Fruittis 8. Did you know? Today's Halloween . traditions actually stem from an early pagan harvest festival that fell on the last day of the year on the old pagan calendar, October 31st. Historians tell us Halloween day served a triple purpose: bidding good-bye to summer, welcoming winter; and remembering the dead. the Bast Coast Hockey League, that now has 18 teams in places like Wheeling, West Virginia and Tal- lahassee, Florida, grow in its own or did. the spillover from the NHL provide the fertilizer? Has the Inter- national Hockey League expanded rapidly because it's so dam good or because hockey's popularity as a whole has created a demand for more teams and rinks? When major league baseball shut down, fans found other things to do. Minor league attendance was strong but had been all along. The disappointed Expo fans in Montreal didn't drive en masse to Ottawa to watch the Lynx. They put away their caps and went to dinner and a movie. The same thing might hap- pen to hockey. Fans who can't see the best won't settle for the rest. If hockey's unprecedented success is a trickle-down from the top league in the world, then it's hard to imagine a source dammed up too long having a positive effect on anyone downstream. Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, October 19, 1994 - Page 13 The girls tyke team at LCPS came home with a third place overall finish when 23 teams competed In the county cross- country meet recently. Members include, left to right, back row: Cindy Willits who also had a personal second place finish, Angie Ritchie, Marcella Kranenburg, Heather McGugan. Front row: Heather Lougheed, Jessica Mann, Amber Husk, Rachael Ackert. (Pat Livittgston photo) INFORMATION MEETINGS Thr following area meetings have been scheduled to discuss a proposal by the County of Brute General 1lospital to provide a (:T scanner for patient tart in a rural. setting. .\II meetings will eornmenrr at 7:30 p.m. Your. interest and input are sought in discussions clarifying the role of technology in a rural.hospi'tal setting. • . For more information or clarificativ contact Guy Kirvann- 519-R81-1220. October 2,7 - November 1 - November 3 - Saugeen Memorial Hospital, Southampton, .Ontario - Meeting Room Wingham and Area Seniors Day Centre', Wingham, Ontario • G Hanover Fire Department. 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