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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-01-26, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2000. From the sidelines Allies, if only for a night By Hugh Nichol The Toronto Maple Leaf franchise has a long and proud involvement in the NHL history book including an historical but almost forgotten role in the All-Star game. On Feb. 6 not only will Toronto be hosting the league’s 50th anniversary edition of the game but the Air Canada Centre will be forever acknowledged as the site of the first contest played in the new millennium. The idea of an annual all-star game was the indirect result of three benefit games played during the 1930s. The first such event was held on Feb. 14, 1934 to honour the Maple Leaf’s Ace Bailey whose career was ended due to serious injury. The game was played at Maple Leaf Gardens and featured the defending Stanley Cup champion Maple Leafs opposing a team of league alLstars. In later years the Montreal Forum was home for games in memory of Howie Morenz and Babe Siebert, two Midwestern Ontario athletes who were honoured with tribute games following their sudden passing. On Oct. 13, 1947 the NHL introduced its first official league all-star game. The format, which for the most part remained unchanged over the next 20 years, featured the defending Stanley Cup champions on their home ice, facing the previous seasons first and second all-star team selections plus additions. The game was played at Maple Leaf Gardens and saw the All-Stars defeat the Maple Leafs 4- 3. The game returned to Toronto six more times during hockey’s Golden Era including the 1968 contest which proved to be the last under the original format. Due to the influx of teams through expansion the league switched to an east against west affair in 1969 with the site of the games being rotated amongst its league members. With the exception of 1979 when New York’s Madison Square Garden was the site of a three game Challenge Cup between the NHL All-Stars and the Soviet Union and again in 1987 when the Soviets and Team NHL participated in Rendez­ vous ‘87, the divisional format remained intact until three years ago when the NHL introduced the present day North American born players against the rest of the World All-Stars. It was during the Rendez-vous series held in Quebec City that the NHL began to direct attention to off-ice happenings. The idea was to create a cultural celebration that even people who were not interested in sports would watch. Today the game is the league’s number one marketing bonanza evolving from a single night’s game into a week of related events. Fan balloting, superskills competitions and amateur hockey contests have all been introduced to involve the general public including this year’s NHL FANtasy, a 300,000 square foot hockey theme park. I myself have been directly involved in several local all-star games, albeit none as a player. In 1985 the Brussels Bulls hosted the Grey-Bruce Jr. D. All-Star match. At the time I was an assistant coach with the Juniors and while my duties consisted of opening and closing a door I have a vivid recollection of a five-goal performance by Kevin McArter. In 1989 I was named co-coach of the Western Jr. D North Division team alongside Jack Naim, a legend in the OHA Senior Hockey and Junior coaching fraternity while my final involvement at the junior level occurred in 1993 as manager of the Western Jr. C All-Stars. The game was played in Brussels and featured a visit by the Jr. B Stratford Cullitons. In later years my attention turned to Senior hockey where beginning in 1996 and continuing over the next four years I was voted to the WOAA South Division team in either a coaching or managerial role. While it was always an honour to be chosen it is true that the game becomes secondary to the comrade­ ship shared. Hockey is the world’s greatest game not only based on its on-ice performance but because it allows even the greatest of rivals to become allies, if only for a night. S ports Novice lose by 2 Offense The Blyth and Zurich Juvenile get crossed up heading for the puck during Sunday’s action in Blyth. (Vicky Bremner photo) Blyth Novice Reps missed by two on Jan. 19 at home against Bayfield. Heading into this match, both squads had only posted two losses in regular season play. With Anthony Peters in net for Blyth, the game stayed scoreless through one. Then with just over four minutes left in the second, Bayfield launched one past Peters to get on the scoreboard. In the third period Bayfield increased their lead at the 13:59 mark, then again just a minute after. Seconds later Blyth’s Curtis Robertson finally got to the oppos­ ing goalie, lighting the light for the hosts. Roman Sturzenegger picked up an assist. The rest of the period was a see­ saw battle as teams added and can­ celled goals. A minute after Bayfield tallied its fourth, Sturzenegger bulged the twine unassisted. The visitors responded a minute later, only to have Robert­ son score his second with an assist from Tony Bean. The final was 5-3 for the visitors. Pot Canada first in your portfolio Tykes play for fun The Blyth White Tykes travelled to Wallace for'' a fun-day tournament over the weekend. It proved to be an exciting and exhausting weekend. Their first game was Saturday at 9 a.m. when they met up with the Woolwich Red Wings. Both teams played hard and well. Their next game was Sunday at 11 a.m. when they played a very powerful Minto team. The Whites did their best against this strong squad. After lunch they were able to watch a movie in the auditorium or play more hockey on the floor with a bail. Their final game was Sunday at 2 p.m. when they met Walkerton. The teams were evenly matched and the game was very exciting. There is no score keeping at this tournament and all players go home with a trophy. It was an excellent weekend of team playing and great fun! Goaltending responsibilities were shared by Colin Whitfield, Greg Dodds, and Lucas Cook. All three boys did a tremendous job. Goals and assists went to Michael McDowell, Tyler Stevenson, Dodds, Dallas Pennington and Cook. There were awesome defensive actions by Trevor Raynard, Kaytee Richmond, Cody Richmond, Caleb Brohm and Emma Brohm. Unfortunately Jeff Plaetzer and Colton Kerr had the flu and couldn’t make it. Wallace provided both these boys with trophies as well Atom Reps win 8-1 CRIME STOPPERS 1-800-222-TIPS Tuesday night Brussels Atom reps played Howick. Howick started the scoring less than a minute into the game. Three minutes later, Brussels started scoring and never looked back. Matt White got his first goal when Mitch Blake passed the puck out in front of the net. Then Blake took the puck the length of the ice to score his own unassisted goal. Steven Ropp also scored one on his own. In the second period, White scored his second goal with Cory Chapman assisting. Justin Mayne, set up by Ropp put one past the Howick goaltender. White got his third goal of the game at the six minute mark in the second period. White scored two more goals in the third just nine seconds apart with assists going to Chase Chapman and Doug Schnock. The final score was 8 - I Friday night the action was in Milverton. White scored first in the first period. Milverton put two past Kyle Gibson in net to go ahead by Continued on page 9 Canada is home to some of the best investment opportunities available. So why settle for seconds when your first choice is right here at home? 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