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Times-Advocate, 1988-05-04, Page 17Mohawks crumble, Creemore advances EXETER -- A sweet and sour season ended for Exeter Mohawks Wednesday night at the South Hu- ron Rec Centre when Creemore Chiefs pushed them off the ice and out of the semi-finals. Chiefs pounded Mohawks 8-4 in game five of the best -of -seven ser- ies to claim the tournament four games to one and advance to the Senior B final against Moorctown Comets. That game finished a season that perhaps should have ended when the Exctcr team returned from New Brunswick where they were defeat- ed in four games in the Eastern Hardy Cup final. The club was never able to re- gain the stellar momentum which propelled them through a virtually undefeated season and several rounds of Ontario Hardy Cup ac- tion. Trying to pin down the reasons for their demise, Mohawks coach Jim Guenther pointed to the long schedule that was behind the club. Gucnthcr said the quick exit to Creemore was the result o1 a Toss of desire and pure physical exhaus- tion. Any mental attack Mohawks could muster against Creemore seemed to pale "because of the pre- vious Hardy Cup emotional high," Guenther said. "They weren't able to get that back and they didn't feel that they could get it back." Asked if he felt the season was a success, Guenther called it "a tre- mendous success". "1 was tremendously proud of each and every player for the ac- complishments they made over the season," Guenther said, adding that was despite the fact that the team hung up their skates with no title. "Exeter is on the map as a hock- ey centre," he said. Mohawks have left a lasting im- pression among their peers. The Exctcr Senior B club accumulated a total of 44 wins, 16 losses and three ties this year. Guenther said the club knew what they were up against when they en- tered into Hardy Cup play at the be - Letter sums up season feelings Dear Sir: Since it was overlooked in your sports columns last week, I think it necessary to congratulate the efforts of our Junior D Hawks, their coaches, manager, trainers, and executive for a job well done. For the most part this organization dedicated their time and efforts to bring a respectable brand of Junior hockey to this town. Three years ago the team won five games. A new executive was formed at the end of that season. An energetic group set forth the goal of making the Exeter Hawks get back where they belonged. A coach and manager were selected to bring this goal to reality. In 1986-87 they ended up second in the standings, won the semifinal and lost four games to one in the group finals against Brussels. Despite two or three key injuries we showed that we were competitive with the top teams. Better recruiting brought some key players this year and with the strong base from last year we met our goal of getting the team to the OHA finals. It was not an easy task. Last year things ran smoothly, but as we became more successful, more controversy and more unrest arose. On the ice the team rose to the occasion, despite the ongoing controver- sies. I am sure it must have been very upsetting and discouraging for the coaches and manager at times. Since 1960 when Junior hockey started in Exeter, there seems to be 3 trend. Controversy seems to attach itself to success. If I can recall the Hawks have been to the OHA Finals five times, winning the Championship in 1972 and 1976. Each time controversy lingered to spoil successful teams and their coaches and managers. It seems that Junior hockey is prey to everyone to find small chinks in the armour to criticize the team, coaches, manager, and executive. Let's not let this overshadow the efforts of the 1987-88 Junior Hawks. They ended up in fust place overall in the Western Junior 'D' Hockey League; we Won the group final and went on to the OHA fi- nals against Lambeth. We lost. It was disappointing for everyone con- cerned. We were not perhaps at the top of our game. Not taking any- thing away from Lambeth - they were the better team during the series. We seemed to think that beating Brussels was the champion- ship hampionship and we were not quite as "hungry" against Lambeth. Congratulations to the team, its players, coaches, manager, trainers, statisticians and executive. A job well done. It was somewhat disap- pointing for us to not have a better fan support for the finals. Only 250 fans to an Ontario final game perhaps indicates a loss of interest for Junior Hockey in this town. Thanks and congratulations to the graduating players - Jeff Pfaff, Steve Gould, Scott Bogart, George Pratt, Scott Lovie, Bill Fisher, Dave Rook, Brent Murray and Tim McCann. Good luck in the future. Thanks to all the players from out of town who came here to play and make the season successful. We hope you return again. Thanks to the players from Exeter and surrounding arca. Everyone, well done! Thanks to coach Dave Bogart and manager Dan Brintnell for all your hard work and long hours of dedication to the team. Thanks to George Pratt and Andy McIntyre and Ben Riley, Shawn Wilbert and Doug Rook for all your efforts. Despite all the problems that arose, we as an Executive tried to pro- vide a top level organization for you. I think we succeeded. Congratulations to the Executive for all your hard work. In talking to the majority of the players they were for the most part supportive of their coaches and manager. Of course you always get some who arc not satisfied. Let's remember all the good times that were provided for you as well. Despite all the knocks the team has tak- en this year, 1 still think we deserve a better fate in your paper, Mr. Bisset. Whether it's good or bad to be on the Executive and be the fa- ther of the coach is another matter and really shouldn't concern the sports editor. Why not say something good about the team on occa- sion rather than always trying to find some fault and rehash old things. Yes, I blew up at one meeting and resigned the chair - we had it out with all concerned. Maybe we didn't get all things settled to everyone's satisfaction - but "let it be at rest". Perhaps you, Mr. Bisset would be willing to act on a future execu- tive, even act as a coach or manager. It's a great undertaking and a lot of responsibility and long hours of work in coaching, managing and fund raising for a team. I do not think you can say how the team should be run or how it should be coached until you understand the whole working system. I challenge you to attend all the games, get involved with the team and give the executive your ideas. Thank you for the invite to write these thoughts. These are not all, but there has to'be a limit. Again thanks to coach Dave, manager Dan, trainers and players. You all did a great job over the past two years. Sincerely, Ron Bogart Fan, Father and Executive Manager Exeter Junior 'D' I lawks ¶ hanktyou Amos Exeter We would like to express our appreciation to all our loyal fans and sponsors who supported our hockey club throughout the long 1987-88 season. You have our commitment to provide the best Senior Hockey possible once again in 1988-89. Thankyou!!! The Exeter Mohawks Hockey Club ginning o1 the season. "We were told before we went in that if we went in the Hardy Cup it would affect our league (perfor- mance) and our playoff (perfor- mance), but it's like anything else these days -- you've got to experi- ence it for yourself," Guenther ex- plained. The coach added that he didn't think the team would consider the Hardy Cup again next season. Doubts about returning While a large portion of this year's squad will likely report for cam;, next season, Guenther is not sure that he will return as coach. After his first year as helmsman for the club, he wants the summer to think over his future role. "It was fairly heavily pressure packed -- for the teams we were playing against and the things we were playing for," the Mohawk coach said. "The team I had this year were there on a mission to win. They ex- pected each other to do a good job on the ice and they expected me to be there as a coach," Guenther con- tinued. "There were no lax mo- ments." Though he enjoys working behind the bench, Guenther misses being out on the ice. "I know of course that I can't play that (Mohawks) calibre any more, but you know there are homes for us old-timers," he quipped. Mohawks last lap The first seconds of the game Wednesday night told the story for the evening. Creemore jumped on the puck, brought it into Mohawks zone and put Bob Parker in a posi- tion to score a goal that seemed to surprise even him. It was a shaken Rick Pikul who Sp.o;rt s dug the puck out of his own net with just 36 seconds elapsed from the clock. But Mohawks dcfcnceman Ron Elliott readjusted the scale one min- ute later when he blasted a shot past Creemore goalie Doug Weatherall after being set up by Dale Gibbon. The illusion of equality was blown apart however at the 2:48 mark of the period when Chiefs Please turn to page 2A Tmes-ving South Huron, North Middlesex May 4, 1988 dvocate 8 North lambton Since 11173 Page I A LAST STAND -- Exeter Mohawks coach Jim Guenther watches intently as his players make a mad dash to thc. other end of the ice in the final minutes of Wednesday night's game when they made their final stand at the South Huron Rec Centre. Mohawks dropped the fifth game of their OHA Senior B semi-final series to Creemore Chiefs 8- 4. The win gave Creemore a series victory with four wins to Mohawks' single victory. WOSSA, OFSSA COMPETITORS -- This group of badminton players continues to bring home results for South Huron High School. Back row, left; Christine Rose, Justin Peckitt, Michelle Caers who did well at WOSSA recently. Front row, left; Kim Crawford, Erica Coeck. Crawford and Coeck advanced to OFSSA after placing second at WOSSA. Badminton players bound for Timmins By Sheila • Dougall EXETER - Five of South Hu- ron's senior badminton teams com- peted at WOSSA last Saturday. Michelle Caers and Justin Peckitt placed fifth in WOSSA mixed dou- bles while Erika Cocck and Kim Crawford earned their way to OFS- SA by finishing second in doubles. The pair had some difficulties playing Saturday, duc to thc fact that Crawford was ill. OFSSA badminton is being held this year in Timmins Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7. Track and Field At the Track and Field meet in Petrolia April 26 the top finishers for South Huron out of 24 were Kim VanDongcn, first in 1500 and first in 800 and Sandra Relouw sec- ond in long jump and second in triple jump. VanDongen was the Midget .Individual Champion and Sandra was thc Senior Individual Champion. Also doing well were Trina Poor- tinga, fourth in high jump, and Rob Wonnacott, sixth in high jump. Laurie Forrester 'placed third in shot put. South Huron brought home somc good results after attending the For- est City track meet April 30. Scott Regier finished the 400 m hurdles race with a time of :62 to BADMINTON WINNERS -- Rick Smith and Chris Gardner recently won the double consolation final in a tour: nament at Oakridge Secondary School in London. Chris Campbell (right) claimed the singles championship. place second over all. Regier also led the South Huron track team in long jump, recording a 5.50 effort. Rob Wonnacott made a 5.30 jump while Chris Chapman jumped 4.75 m. Brett Rideout rail the 1500 m hurdles coursc in 4:58 while Rob Pearn completed the 800 rim course in 2:24. Skip Pavlick performed to his personal best with a 1.60 m jump in high jump. Pavlick also thrcw 8.50 m in shot put while Dave Schwindt turned in a throw of 10.98 m. In high jump, Lori Parker made a jump of 1.40 m. Soccer The Senior Boys Soccer team dis- played excellent playmaking and shooting in their 4-1 win over Lis- towel April 25. Khampagnc Chansamonc led the. scoring with three goals while Si- vixay Scngkhounmany tallied the other goal. Strong, heads -up play be each player made thc game enjoyable to watch. The Girls Soccer team played to a 0-0 tic with St. Marys. The team played very well. Nicole Rosie played a.good game in goal to record the shut -out. Senior Games EXETER - The District Seniors Games for Huron -Perth and Mid- dlesex will be hosted by the City of Stratford in 1988. The games will be held over two days - Monday, June 20 and Tues- day, Junc 21 with the following events offered this year. Badminton (mixed doubles) Carpet bowling, Contact Bridge, Cribbage, Croki- nolc, Darts, Euchrc, Five Pin Bowling, Golf, Horseshoes, lawn Bowling, Shuffleboard, Snooker, Softball Throw, Swimming, Table tennis, Tennis and Walking. To be eligible for the District games, participants must be 55 years or older and must register with the Stratford Committee be- fore June 1, 1988. Registration forms, schedule of events and event rules are available at the South Huron Recreation Cen- tre office.