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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1981-12-22, Page 6i Hue 6A Times-Adv.ieote, December 22. 1981 pSports �' Spotlight By Ross Haugh Santa Claus is coming to town. That's right the jolly old fellow in the red suit will be making his annual visits Thursday night and we can think of a number of appropriate gifts for sports peo- ple. eaple. On the professional scene our favourite teams are located in Toronto and Detroit and they could all use some help from Santa. In Toronto, the Maple Leafs, Argos and Blue Jays appear to have problems that will take more than San- ta to solve. The Leafs are probably in the sorriest state of any time in their 50 year plus history. The Darryl Sittler situation has drawn lots of ink and attention. Harold Ballard is taking his sweet time in making a trade which everyone knows must be made before the Leafs can become an offensive team again. This is about the third time that Ballard and Sittler have been at odds. How long can a thing like this go on'' He says he won't give Sittler away for nothing. But. how much choice does he have? On the other hand there isn't a team in the NHL that couldn't use a player of Sittler's stature, experience and leadership capabilities. Ballard is sticking true to form in his comments about the possible trades with Minnesota and Philadelphia using words such as burglars, garbage and bums. He apparently called Lou Nanne of Minnesota a burglar for trying to get Sittler for two second round draft choices and a minor leaguer. We heard Nanne say on a radio program that the success of his team has come from second mound draft picks. Minnesota would be the ideal spot for Sittler. About the only ingredient they need to become a real challenge for the Stanley Cup is leadership. At the time of writing only one of the other 20 teams in the NHL has won fewer games than Toronto, so we would doubt if only one trade will help the Leafs very much. If the Leafs situation appears hopeless at the mo- ment. the Argos and Blue Jays are in similar dire straits. When Peter Bavasi left as the Blue Jays general manager we thought they might make some serious sorties into the free agent market, but, that hasn't happened yet. Bavasi hadcontinuallysaid he wanted to bring along some of the good minor league prospects before spen- ding money for a top name player. While it would be nice to have fellows like Ron Guidry and Reggie Jackson in Toronto uniforms, why should they risk their already g ained fame with an ex- pansion club that has a lot of loopholes as far as play- ing personnel is concerned. Apparently the Blue Jays came close to trading pitcher Dave Stieb. That would have been very foolish to give away the most valuable playing asset you have. The Jays have taken one step in the right direction by hiring Bobby Cox as manager to replace Bobby Mattick. Cox had a goodplaying career in the majors, something his two predecessors Matteck and Roy Hartsfield didn't have. The Toronto Club has one interesting record going that they will be trying to continue. The Jays have won each of their five season openers at Exhibition Stadium. Turning to football, very little can be said about the Argonauts. They will likely have a new coach for the 1982 season, but, also need new players and a lot of them. Coaching is not the lone answer. Look at how former Argo coach Forrest Gregg is doing with the Cincinatti Bengals. Now to Detroit Switching to Detroit, things look a bit better than they do in Toronto. Only the Red Wings appear to be going nowhere. The Lions, Pistons and Tigers seem to be on the way to better things. Although the Lions may be on the NFL sidelines by the time this issue hits the street, they are close to being very competitive. The two most important things for the Lions this year has been the friendly confines of the Silver Dome and the esthusiastic and very noisy fans. One factor has shown itself in the NFL this year and that is parity is coming close to being a reality. With the many recent upsets, any team can beat any other on any given day with the possible exceptions of New England and Baltimore. With the underdogs coming through quite oftemit has made for a very exciting NFL season. This may not be the year of the Lions, but, they are on theway to becoming a real threat for not only the NFC Central, but, for the Super Bowl. The Detroit Tigers have made two recent deals that will give them one of the best outfields in the major leagues. Newcomers Chet Lemon and Larry Herndon won't take very long to make Tiger fans forget about Ron LeFlore and Steve Kemp as far as defence is concern- ed. What the Tigers need now to become competitive is at least one starting pitcher, preferably a left hander. Over to the Joe Louis arena, the Red Wings are still struggling despite the recent trade with Buffalo. The experience and leadership of Jim Schoenfeld and Dan- ny Gore have to be a plus for the Red Wings. In pro basketball, the Detroit Pistons -are on a rebuilding program and bringing good crowds to the Silver Dome. Youngster Isaiah Thomas is exciting the Piston fans about the same way Billy Sims is generating enthusiasm for the Lions. Well, Santa, you sure have your hands full in bring- ing championships to the seven teams we have talked about. Oh, we can dream. GREE1flJ NG 1 Santo's on his way with a sisighlul of 1 merry wish** for you, plus a Marty "Thank 1 from us. tool 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 -1 ,exeler oaf evunfriil etu61 Ass en mss•.•. r Phone 235-1517 • Play in Thedford, Sunday Hawks get only one point, slip to second place The Exeter Hawks ex- perienced their worst week of the season as they picked up only one point in two games and slipped out of their first -place tie with Tavistock. The locals blew a three - goal lead, Friday, and watched as the visiting Belmont Bombers recorded a 4-4 tie at the rec centre and on Sunday in Hensall, they were edged 4-3 by the lowly Seaforth Centenaires. The Hawks are now one point behind Tavistock, but the Braves have a game in hand as their scheduled contest with Thedford was postponed. Exeter plays in Mitchell tonight (Tuesday) and in Thedford on Sunday and won't be back at home until they meet Seaforth on New Year's day at the rec centre. In the weekend games, the Hawks were without the services of their two regular netminders, Rich Fletcher and Mike Tadgell. Fletcher TO THE BASKET — John McAllister of the South Huron senior boys basketball team goes up for a jump shot in a re- cent` game against Woodstock College Avenue. Mohawks Centralia The Exeter Mohawks scored a 6-4 victory over the Centralia Marauders in South Huron hockey league action at the South Huron Rec Centre, Thursday night. Three unanswered goals in the third period allowed the Mohawks to gain the win. The first period was all even with each team scoring two goals while the Marauders notched two second period goals to one by the Mohawks. The game was only eight seconds old when Doug Todd put the Marauders on the scoreboard on a three-way passing combination with Rich Lather and Mark Cronyn. The Mohawks tied the score exactly one minute later on a successful shot by Luc Gagnon on a play started by Doug Fletcher and Tom Ryan. At the halfway mark Matt Muller sent the Centralia club ahead again on passes from Bill Hodge and Blair Hearn before Luc Gagnon hit for Exeter on a play set up by Tom Ryan. In the middle frame, Mark Cronyn set up goals for Rich Lather and Doug Todd while Bob Snell picked up one assist. The lone second period score for Exeter was fired by Jeff Fuller with assists being provided by Rick Moody and Brad Deters. The Mohawks were able to tie the score at 5:30 of the third period as Pete Gill hit the Centralia net on passes from Rick Moody and Dan Juniors win in basketball The South Huron junior boys basketball team started their regular season on a winning note with a 44-30, victory over Mitchell, Wednesday. Derek lfippern scored a season -high 25 points to lead the Panthers. Steve Ferguson scored 12 points. "When he learns to play with a little more control he'll be excellent. Right now he's trying just a little too hard," coach Terry O'Rourke said about Ifip- pern. Thursday, against a sworthy squad from Woodstock College Avenue, the Panthers were defeated 53-30. Hippern scored 15 points, while Steve Ferguson and Rob Tait had 5 and 4 points, respectively. The juniors play their second regular season game January 8 against Stratford Central. defeat club Stanlake. The eventual game winner came at 11.34 as Daters converted a pass from Mike Clark and the clincher was scored by Luc Gagnon on a pass from Brad Daters with 11 seconds left in the game. Each team picked up only three minor penalties ,in a well played fast mving contest. List winners in SHDHS draw Priz e winners in the "Panther Basketball Christmas Draw", were announced Friday. Proceeds from the draw will be used to supplement the teams' travel and equipment budgets. The winners are: Ten speed bike - Dave Holmes Exeter; AM -FM cassette radio - Jim Ferguson - Hensall ; AM -FM clock radio - Ian Munroe - Kippen; Nike gym shoes - Pam Johns, Exeter; gym bag - Maureen Smith, London; basketball computer game - Karen Richards, Lucan. Winners can pick up their prizes at the school, when school resumes. is ill and Tadgell has a shoulder injury. Midget goalie Peter Dearing played Friday's game in the nets and Pete Parsons worked in Sunday's contest. All-star defenceman Bill Glover and Doug Brooks are still out of the lineup with injuries/ Larry Dawson returned to action on Sunday after missing some games with a shoulder injury. Blg upset The Centenaires picked up their second win of the season with the triumph on Sunday as they scored the lone goal in the first period and then matched the Hawks with two goals in the middle frame and another in the final period. John Kernick, Ed Willis and Preston Dearing scored for the Hawks with Dave Atthill recording two assists and singles coming from Brian Mercer, Tony Underhill and Brian Baker. Seaforth scored one power play goal and also one while they were short-handed. Parsons stopped 24 shots for' the Hawks in his debut, while Dan McClure handled 26 for the Centenaires. Broomball is popular Broomball has shown itself to be one of the most popular and best attended in- tramural sports at South Huron. According to sport convener, Mike Fleming there are close to seventy participants in the eight team league, including one team of teachers. Although there is a rule against body contact, the game as any player will tell you, is not for the feeble of body - or mind. Success in broomball requires quickthinking and cooperation with team- mates. Most of all, however, charging up and down the ice rink at noon hour provides an enjoyable escape from the pressures of school for both students and staff. Seator.th coach Murray Henderson picked up a game misconduct in the second period and his Centenaires sat out 13 of the 22 penalties called in the tilt. Rally for tie The Belmont Bombers, losers to the Hawks on their home ice earlier this season, scored three times in the final period, Friday, to gain the 4-4 split at the rec centre. The Hawks led 4-1 going into the final period, but couldn't hold on and the final Belmont goal game with just three minutes left in the game. Midget goalie Peter Dearing was the busiest man on the ice in the final session as he stopped 14 shots in addition to the three which eluded him, while the Hawks managed only eight shots at the Belmont goal. Paul Johnston scored twice to pace the Hawks with the singles going to John Kernick and Tony Underhill. Dave Couse notched two assists to lead in that department with singles being recorded by Dave Athill, Underhill and Ed Willis. The Hawks scored three times on the power play as the Bombers sat out 11 of the 18 penalties called in the fray, Stephen teams win three games During Stephen minor hockey day Saturday, the home teams won three of six games. Gor Is by Steve DuBarry, Scott Russell, Peter Conlin and Kevin Fick gave the Stephen atoms a 4-0 victory over Zurich. In a pee wee contest, Stephen doubled the score on Zurich 6-3. Gerry Lamport with three goals and an assist and Mike McCallum, Lee Watt and Mike Conlin with single goals accounted for the Stephen scoring. Tony Jones scored the only goal of the game as the Stephen midgets blanked London 1-0. Yvonne Wells fired the only goal as the Stephen ladies team dropped a 4-1 decision to Belmore. In a ringette game Chris Smith was the only Stephen scorer in a 6-1 defeat at the hands of Goderich. In house league action, Zurich defeated Stephen 4-0. The Stephen midgets were defeated 12-3 by Clinton in a mid -week game. Tony Jones scored two goals for the losers while the single was added by Allan Brand on a pass from Bob Rook. Hensall edged Stephen 7-4 in a midget game. Scoring for Stephen were Bob Rook, Colin Tripp and Les Sewell with assists going to Mark Drake, Scot Dinney, Allan Brand, George Tomes and Les Sewell. Waxers keep on winning The Exeter Waxers kept their win streak rolling as they scored a 3-2 win over Goderich at the rec centre, Sunday. The locals spotted Goderich a goal in the first and then roared back with three of their own and hung on for the win. Jason ' Hern paced the attack with two goals and the single was fired home by Jason Heywood. Jeff Burton notched two assists and singles were recorded by Jamie Cornish, Fred. Godbolt and Jeff Sanders. Prosperous 1982 to all our friends and customers Pat and Jim Scott Paul, Doug & Vkki SCOTT'S LEATHER SHOP 120 Sanders St. W. Exeter 235-0694 Here's wishing all a merry Yule! To our good friends, patrons ... special thanks for kindness shown. Brian Kipfer BRIAN'S SNOWMOBILE and Motorcycle Repairs Dashwood ieMisMlioe Moirsliin� 1i0 Iii AiAMYR1ws�We Ws%aRigaWait ' 04 'Air i GIFTAVAILABLE FROM CERTIFIC$10ATES A GIFT CERTIFICATE OF $30 COULD BUY • 5 days of golf at Ironwood • A day of Golf with dinner & wine for two • or be applied to a membership • or be applied to pro shop merchandise Prices in effect until Jan. 20th 1982 Husband and — wife - 235. Family & (children up and inc4yding 18) 275. Junior - 18 and under 80. Ladies - 80. Man - 160. Man and Junior - 235. IRONWOZO PHONE 235-0707 Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year To All IRONWOOD GOLF COURSE located o mile eost of Exeter, Off Highway 83 ca3"3c+ea see+ c+et clea sea e1ee1 eun Acs 9ras 5543"5 ars+awMM►MW aMIsMIM►96111IAMtAM1s_leAtiO MIM►Mi __ _ds We're dashing through the snow to wish you fun -filled holidays. Thank you for all your generosity, patronage and support. MT. 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