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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-05-19, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1999. Sports Erom the sidelines The history of the game Adults get a kick out of soccer, too By Hugh Nichol This weekend marks the 8 I st anniversary of the Memorial Cup, the most storied junior hockey trophy in the world. The ultimate quest for Major Junior Hockey sovereignty will have added excitement this year as three teams, the Belleville Bulls, Acadie- Bathurst Titan and Calgary Hitmen will all be making their tournament debut alongside the host Ottawa 67’s franchise. The Memorial Cup was established in 1919 in memory of all the Canadian hockey players who served their country during the First World War. Initially designed to symbolize Canadian National Junior hockey championships the Cup was open to all challengers until 1934 when it was designated for Jr “A” supremacy. The original East against West final series matchup remained intact until the early 1970s when the CAHA established the Canadian Hockey League and introduced a tournament style playoff to deter­ mine a winner between the Ontario Hockey League, the Western Hockey League, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Ottawa hosted the first tournament in 1972 that ended with the Cornwall Royals surprising every­ one with a 2-1 overtime victory over the Peterborough Petes. The loss proved ominous for Peterborough, which, despite holding the tournament record of six final-game appearances has claimed only the 1979 contest. The first Memorial Cup winner was the University of Toronto Schools which defeated the Regina Patricians 29-8 in a two-game total goal series. The win was a sign of celebrations to come as the City of Toronto has enjoyed 14 victory parades, including a record seven by the now defunct Marlboro franchise. Arguably the best team in Corbetts score in summer hockey The Saugeen City Platers, with two Brussels players, took the Novice championship in Stouffville in summer hockey league recently. As members of the squad Chris and Adam Corbett helped their team win four out of five in the weekend tournament. The Platers walloped their Orangeville Teen Ranch opponent in the Friday night matchup, 7-1. C. Corbett scored five with Derek Widmeyer and Jeff Colton picking up the other two. The Platers met a tough Detroit team Saturday morning, losing 5-4. Derek Scott popped in three with Jordan Wright notching one. The team found its feet against Collingwood Blue Thunder, romp­ ing over them 6-2. C. Corbett racked up three with A. Corbett, Widmeyer and Colton Hogtown history was the 1934 St. Michael’s Majors, a team that graduated eight of its 13 members to the NHL. The last true East against West showdown saw the Quebec City Remparts defeat the Edmonton Oil Kings two games to none in a series shortened by political unrest. Unfortunately for the junior hockey supporters of La Belle Province it would be 25 years before another Quebec based team claimed the championship. The tournament is rotated on a yearly basis between the three leagues with the individual governors of each deciding upon the criteria and method of selecting a host centre. This year the OHL selection committee decided that after all teams had played 40 games the four divisional leaders and top two wild cards would be allowed to submit bids on the understanding the successful candidate must post a $600,000 non-refundable bond with the league. Ottawa, Barrie, Plymouth and Sarnia forwarded applications while Guelph and Peterborough declined, both stating that their arenas were not suitable for housing such an event. After careful consideration the Ottawa bid was accepted, an excellent choice as the Civic Centre was sold out within six days of the announcement. The Memorial Cup offers some of the most exciting action in the world, as well as providing a preview of future NHL talent. CTV will broadcast live coverage of the final game Sunday afternoon although locally it will not reach the excitement level of 1995 when Detroit Jr. Red Wing defenceman Quade Lightbody became the first Brussels Bull to participate in the tournament. Perhaps the true magnitude of the tournament is expressed best by the words of former NHLer Paul Henderson, who once said the History of the Memorial Cup is the history of the Canadian game, a story built out of passion from the ground up. each scoring singles. Strong play propelled the team to a 7-1 victory over the Lakeridge Bulletts Sunday morning, pushing them into the finals. C. Corbett tallied two with sin­ gles going to Colton, A. Corbett, Scott, Grant Cochrane and Conor Gill. In a tight match, the Platers slid by the Collingwood Thunder, 2-1 for the championship. Goals were scored by C. Corbett and Scott. Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world. Multiple Sclerosis Society o< Canada 1-800-268-7582 Passing the opponent Brussels Public School player Brittany Kellington slips by her East Wawanosh challenger during the North Huron three-on-three tournament held at East Wawanosh Public School, May 13. Track team does well at meet The F. E. Madill track team was very successful at a meet in Tillson burg. Though they placed fifth, the Midget Girls 4X100 relay team smashed a school record, running the race in 52 seconds. The squad consisted of East Wawanosh's Amanda Palmer, as well as Sonya Sapling, Tracey MacDonald and Amanda Drennan. The team of Laura Meier of East Wawanosh, Sheena Baker, Sara Golf course plans expansion The management of Wingham Golf and Curling Club has taken the first step towards expanding the facility. Representatives met with Morris Twp. council at the May 18 meet­ ing to discuss a rezoning amend­ ment for the 20-acre property south of Cone. 1, Lot 6-8. Club professional Ron Knight said the financial planning is near­ ing completion and draft drawings NOTICE RE: SPOT SPRAYING OF WEEDS This notice is to advise residents of the County of Huron that SPOT SPRAYING OF WEEDS in rural areas, including the roadsides of County, Provincial, and Municipal roads, will commence on May 31, 1999, for a period of approximately 12 to 14 weeks. Herbicides to be used are: AMITROLT, Registration No. 16548; and DIPHENOPROP, Registration No. 15707. Both products are registered under the federal Pest Control Products Act. To be controlled are noxious weeds as per the Provincial Weed Control Act. This notice complies with Section 68(2) of Regulation 914 under the Pesticides Act. For further information, please-call the Huron County Weed Inspector at 519-524-8394. Collect calls will be accepted.--------------------> Drennan and Rebecca Bruton fin­ ished the race in 55.1 seconds. Midget- Andrew Garland of RR2, Bluevale captured second in the shot put behind teammate David Lisle, with a put of 13.31 metres. He also took sixth in discus with a toss of 34.08 metres. Nathan Garland, also of Blue­ vale, earned ninth in the Open Boys shot put with a distance of 12.39 metres. have been prepared outlining plans for the land. However, nothing can move ahead until the rezoning has been finalized. Currently zoned Natural Environment, the club needs a change to Natural Environment- Special Provisions. Approval for the expansion plan will be sought at the annual meet­ ing of club members, May 27. By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff It’s a kick for adults too. Enthusiasm for soccer has spread to the older generation. Last year, Maxine Houston, president of Brussels Minor Soccer, realized that many of the graduates who had come through the divisions since the league started some 10 years ago, had no where to go. “For the kids 18 and over, who had been playing soccer for years, there just wasn’t anything in the North Perth League.” Houston applied to the Huron League, which is simply a formali­ ty she says, and last year two Brus­ sels senior soccer teams formed. This has grown to three teams this year with 62 players, ranging in age from 16-45. In addition to the Brus­ sels area, members travel from Kinkora. They play against teams from Wingham, Lucknow, Goderich, Blyth, Clinton and St. Columban which is new to the league this year. In Blyth, where senior soccer has been in existence for several years, there are 23 players, again ranging from 18 up to middle age. Stressing that this is a mixed recreational league, Houston says, “The pace is fast, but we have new members who have never played soccer before. They come from a baseball background and though they don’t have the tricks the kids do, they can follow through on the fundamentals of the game.” Though the age and ability of the players may be diverse, Houston says every attempt is made to bal­ ance the teams so they are competi­ tive. One team, however, may have a bit of an edge. “They all wanted Mike Beretta,” laughs Houston of the one-time professional soccer player in South America, now residing outside Brussels. “You should see this guy play soccer. He’s very good.” His expertise has been put to use running practices, held Tuesday nights from 7-9 p.m. at the Brussels school field. Home games for the senior league are played Thursday and Sunday nights at 7 p.m. at the arena field. And there’s always room for more. Anyone interested in playing can still do so, says Houston^ Reg­ istration is $55. Soccer shoes and shin guards are a must. Call 887- 6816 for more information. Blyth too, welcomes more play­ ers. To register or to find out more about senior soccer call Mike Courtney at 523-4476 or Herb Van Amersfoort at 523-4202. Home games are primarily Sun­ day, with some on Wednesdays. Time is 7:15 p.m. on the field behind the arena.