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The Citizen, 2005-03-24, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2005. PAGE 9. Jim Class Dogs play well in tourney NHL wants Sidney Crosby It looks as though Sidney Crosby does mean something to the National Hockey League. Why else would the NHL and the NHLPA be talking? Apparently they are trying to get a deal done as soon as possible, so the league can hold an entry draft in June. This is Crosby’s eligibility year and I guess the NHL wants someone like the CHL phenomenon to come into the league for next season as a means of getting the fans back into the arenas. 1 mean, if Crosby is supposed to be the Next One. the NHL must figure that if he is playing in their league next season, the fans, even those in Florida. Atlanta. Nashville and Columbus, will come out to see what ail the hype is about. The CHL’s scoring leader, he has about a 40-point lead over his next closest opponent, Corey Perry of the London Knights, and will probably be named the CHL’s most valuable player. At least Crosby did something that Wayne Gretzky never did, win a CHL scoring title. The one year he played in the OHL, although he broke the previous OHL scoring record, he finished second in scoring behind Bobby Smith of the Ottawa 67s. And, we all know what teams Bobby Smith played for in the NHL — Montreal and Minnesota North Stars. I just hope that Crosby doesn’t end up like the last Next One, Eric Lindros. Although he had a couple of good seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, he was more or less a dud as far as I am concerned. Lindros was supposed to be a dominant force in the NHL, not only because of his size, six-feet, five- inches and 235 pounds, but he would also be a physical presence on the ice because of the way he played the game. It was this physical style of play that shortened his career. If he could have learned to just play hockey instead of having to hit any opposing player that he saw. Lindros may have had a more substantial career than he did. After all, if it can work for Mario Lemieux, it certainly could have worked for him as well. While Crosby does have a bigger physical presence than Gretzky did. Gretzky showed that he could endure the pounding of the game, which a lot of people said he would not be able to withstand. Crosby is about a couple inches taller than the Great One and has about 25 pounds on him from when he first entered the NHL. If the NHL and its players association do reach an agreement in time to hold a draft, would the NHL let a non-profitable team draft him in the hopes of having the team increase the number of fans attending their home games? Look at what Vince Carter was supposed to do for the Toronto Raptors of the NBA and look at what happened. He really didn’t increase their fan support. Does the NHL think that Crosby will increase the fan base of the Atlanta Thrashers. Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers or the Tampa Bay Lightning where they really aren’t interested in hockey? Or should he be drafted by a Canadian team, or at least an American team where they know something about the game — Detroit, Chicago, New York, Boston or Minnesota? Personally, 1 don’t think they will reach an agreement in time to hold a draft and I really don’t care. However. I do hope they reach an agreement for the 2005-2006 regular season. While the NHL is always looking for new blood like Crosby, maybe it’s time they did something for the old guard - Steve Yzerman, Mark Messier, Ed Belfour, Curtis Joseph, Chris Chelios, Al Maclnnis and others — who may not be back for another season because of the lockout. Country mixed bonspiel Sixteen foursomes competed in the country mixed bonspiel held at the Wingham Golf and Curling Club on Saturday Winners of the first draw were: Christa Ritchie, Mel Ritchie, Lynn Hickey and Elva Hickey . Winners of the second draw were: Fred Meier, Linda Meier, Murray McNichol and Colleen McNichol, the overall winners for the day. (Jim Brown photo) The Blyth PeeWec Rep Bulldogs travelled to Goderich to compete in the 56lh annual Lions Young Canada Week. Blyth met Parkhill in its first game. Blyth opened the scoring as John Lecomte poked home a loose puck in the goalmouth. Danielle Bean and Dan Dery earned assists. Parkhill answered back before the end of the second frame, but Blyth controlled the play. After a second-period intermission. Blyth came out hard, peppering the Parkhill netminder with Bisquits. Tyler Middegaal broke the deadlock making the score 2-1. Dallas Pennington earned the assist. That was all the Dogs needed, as they held on for a 2-1 win. Wednesday, March 16 Blyth was back at it. This time against a familiar face. Howick which Blyth eliminated in WOAA group playoff action. The line of Pennington. Middegaal and Kaytee Richmond came to play, as Pennington scored his first of the game on a nifty wrap­ around. The assist went to Middegaal. Pennington continued to lead the dogs as he broke in alone and scored on a backhand deke, making it 2-0. The play started on a picture­ perfect breakout, set up by Kirby Cook and Middegaal. Howick. scored to bring it within one, but on a powerplay with 1:30 left in the third. Dery tipped Colin Bokhout’s point shot. Pennington earned the other assist. Blyth held on for a 3-1 victory and a berth in the semi-final against Zurich. Blyth came out strong against Zurich, However Zurich would open the scoring. The lead wouldn’t last long, as Blyth tied the score, with Dery tipping a Cook point shot. Zurich would answer back, only to have Pennington jamming home a loose puck. Assists went to Matt Chalmers and Richmond. After a second-period intermission, Blyth came out hungry and midway through the final frame, Dery broke in alone, scoring to put Blyth ahead for good. Zurich pulled their goalie for the extra attacker, only to have Pennington put the final nail in the coffin, giving Blyth a 4-2 win and a berth in the final, the first one since 1992. Blyth would meet Lucan in the championship game, and knew a number of locals would be travelling up County Rd. 25 to root on the Pups. No one would go home disappointed. Blyth looked great in the first half, outplaying their Irish opponents. Blyth took the lead in the second as Pennington scored from Dery. The Dogs had many chances and a few posts, but took a 1-0 lead into the intermission. Lucan scored early in the third, and with just under seven minutes remaining, Lucan took the lead off a scramble. Although the PeeWee Dogs produced a valiant attempt, the Lucan team defeated the PeeWee Dogs 2-1. Many fans and parents agreed it was Blyth’s best effort of the season and a big accomplishment. The Blyth Lions Club sponsored the Bulldogs for the tourna­ ment. Team members include Sheldon Reid. Matt Popp, Danielle* Bean, Tyler Black, Michael McDowell. Matt Chalmers, John Lecomte. Kirby Cook. Kaytee Richmond, Dallas Pennington, Adam Cronin, Colin Bokhout. Tyler Middegaal, Daniel Dery and Lucas Cooke. The team is coached by Chad Haggitt, Cole Stewart. Mike Haggitt and Karen Pennington. space Central Huron Secondary School, Clinton ON 2005 Cash Calendar Winners MARCH Mar. 1, Darlene Carnochan-Williams Mar. 2, Herbert and Rosemary Vandervelden Mar. 3, Suzanne Hamilton Mar. 4, Margariet den Hertog ***$500*** Mar. 7, Sue Rowe ***$100*** Mar. 8, Mary Robinson Mar. 9, Pat Brigham Mar. 10, Nancy Brewer Mar. 11, Joyce Adkins Mar. 21, Sharon McGrath Mar. 22, Trudy Hill Mar. 23, Mary VanLoon Mar. 24, Glenn Hines Mar. 29, Judy Skochinski Mar. 30, Bob McNaughton Mar. 31, Bob & Sandy Hayter FEBRUARY Feb. 1, Grace McNichol Feb. 2, Ann Riley Feb. 3, Wanda & Milton Dietz Feb. 4, Steve Duizer ***$250*** Feb. 7, Gayle Dowson Feb. 8, Randy Wilson Feb. 9, Royanne Brown Feb. 10, Gail Moffett Feb. 11, Phyllis Tyndall Feb. 14, Dorothy Butt Feb. 15, Stacey Hummel Feb. 16, Pamela McLay Feb. 17, Paul Seebach Feb. 18, Carrie Daw Feb. 21, Cindy Hines Feb. 22, Candace Elliott Feb. 23, Rob Clark Feb. 24, Lori Salverda Feb. 25, Rhea Seeger Feb. 28, Cindy Windsor JANUARY Jan. 3, Dinah deGroot Jan. 4, Carol Anne Lostell Jan. 5, Mavis Govier Jan. 6, Donna Miller Jan. 7, Ross & Joyce Carter ***$500*** Jan. 10, Grace Schmidt Jan. 11, Betty Perdue Jan. 12, Joe Laurie Jan. 13, Rick & Anne Elliott Jan. 14, Gordon Wright Jan. 17, John Coleman Jan. 18, Stephen Oliver Jan. 19, Marjorie Hacket Jan. 20, Janette Holmes Jan, 21, Thomas Jorgensen Jan. 24, Marguerite Falconer Jan. 25, Donna Schloendorf Jan. 26, Kris Baldwin Jan. 27, Irene Finlayson Jan. 28, Gail Godin Jan. 31, Dorothy Butt For all the latest calendar news and winners ... www.amdsfakca/CHSS/reface/