Times Advocate, 1995-01-04, Page 11SPORTS
Times -Advocate, lanuary,>4, 1995 Page 11
TIE INTREPID
SN61111MOBILER
By Craig Nicholson
Recently, Ontario has forged ahead of the rest of the international
snowmobiling world. Boasting the world's largest trail system and
membership, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC)
also leads the way in safety, environment, driver training and charity
programs.
Ontario snowmobilers are the beneficiaries of this progress: better
grooming, improved signage and mapping, more trails, more connec-
tions, better accessibility and more reliable winter fun for the entire
family.
As Ontario has transformed almost overnight from a disparate series
of local trail systems into the world's foremost integrated network,
snowmobiling's popularity soared. Today, almost 100% more Ontar-
ians hit the trails than in 1990. Snowmobilers from other provinces and
border states are making Ontario their first winter vacation choice.
But Ontario snowmobiling may become the victim of its own suc-
cess. When the new TOP (Trans Ontario Provincial) Trail System '
comes on stream in 1995, will Ontario be able to wave the world class
flag over its trails? Perhaps.
The fly in the ointment may be a shortage of reliable grooming
equipment. And without groomers, great trails bite the snow dust.
The problem is simple. Ontario's phenomenal growth in trail de-
velopment and participation is in danger of overwhelming grooming
capacity. According to 1994 figures published by the International As-
sociation of Snowmobile Administrators, Ontario has only 89 "in-
dustrial size" groomers, 94 "medium" units and 152 "small" ones to
groom 35,000 kms. of trails. Given that the 152 small units are out-
dated toys that are fast becoming obsolete in a modern, world class
grooming fleet, this leaves the province with 183 groomers, or 1 per
Ayery 191 kilometers.
Compare this to Quebec, whose 391 -strong industrial fleet covers
30,000 kms. or 1.unit per 77 kilometers, an almost two and half times
better ratio than Ontario. Add into this equation the facts that half of
Ontario's existing units are classified as "mediin" whose grooming ca -
liability can't compare to larger industrial machines. And that many of
this province's fleet are on their last legs age -wise, requiring prompt
replacement.
Now consider that most Ontario snowmobile clubs are already
strapped to meet their current payments and cover increased trail op-
erating expenses. In fact, recent figures released by the OFSC indicate
that the total annual operating..ost for clubs has reached about $343
per kilometer of trail, almost double what they net each season from
selling trail permits. So few clubs have the immediate wherewithal to
fund the huge capital equipment upgrades necessary to bring the On-
tario grooming fleet into line with today's rider demand.
Will Ontario fall flat on its face? Unlikely, if the OFSC has its way.
The Federation are already talking about a long term plan to assure
that the province's grooming needs are met into the next centiiry.'In
the last two seasons alone, 86 new industrial groomers have been pur-
chased by clubs. But the plan needs a kick start with new dollars to
lever even more units onto the snow fast.
The short term saviours could be Ontario snowmobilers. In yet an-
other ground breaking first, the OFSC has launched a member dona-
tion program called "The Great Grooming Plan". A direct mail appeal
to each OFSC permit holder asks them to step into the breach by mak-
ing a contribution that will help solve the immediate problem.
Essentially, it's the same as a hospital building fund - asking the us-
ers to fund a process from which they will directly benefit. Launched
in conjunction with the international snowmobiling community's first
snowmobiling calendar, the Great Grooming Plan hopes to raise
$250,000 in 1995.
In return, members receive a full colour calendar both as a reminder
of the need and in appreciation of their anticipated support. Con-
tributors qualify for weekly and monthly prize draws and also to pur-
chase additional gift calendars at substantial savings. It's a unique and
innovative way for the Ontario snowmobiling community to show its
support for organized snowmobiling.
If Ontario snowmobilers are as passionate about their sport as the
OFSC predicts, Ontario will be able to raise its flag past half mast this
winter. Great trails and great grooming depend on it. To make your
donation, call the OFSC. Until next time, happy trails and remember:
Sled Smart - Ride Safe, Ride Sober. For information on local snow-
mobiling, Snowaramas and clubs, contact the Ontario Federation of
Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) at 705/739-7669. To plan your Ontario
tour, call 1 -800 -236 -SLED.
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Four in a row, Irish red hot
Steve Hudson scored twice in a 6-3 victory over Exeter
By Fred Groves
T -A staff
LUCAN - Playoff intense.
That's the way the Lucan Irish
are playing right now and that's the
way they have tollteep playing.
Down two goals midway through
tfi opening period, the Irish battled
back to beat visiting Exeter Hawks
6-3 last Wednesday night to win
their fourth straight OHA Junior
Development League game.
The win lifted the Irish to 10-15-1.
In their past four wins, they've out-
scored their opponents 34-12.
"The team is starting to get to-
gether. We're connecting, it's more
of a team now," said forward Steve
Hudson who paced the winners
with two goals and an assist.
A team that was winless in their
first 11 games (0-10-1), the Irish
are quickly becoming the team to
beat.
Working together seems to be
1 making a difference for the Irish
who should be able to clinch at
least the final playoff spot.
"Everyone is pumped before the
game. They're talking before the
game and the energy is big in
there," said Hudson of what is hap-
pening in the dressing room.
Wednesday's game, Lucan Minor
Hockey Night which was played in
front of the largest Irish crowd of
the season was, to say the least,
physical.
"We were expecting it to - be
rough," said Hudson who now has
nine goals to go along with his six
assists.
Lucan's Keith Robson and Exet-
er's Brian Gardner were given the
quick shower for fighting, Hawks'
Ray Cousineau got five and a game
for checking -from -behind and both
Exeter's Jason McBride and Lu -
can's Greg DePrest were given four
minute spearing penalties late in
the third period.
The intensity and determination
is what Irish coach Scott Bogart
likes to see from his team.
"That's good hockey as far as
I'm concerned. That's the way you
want it. Exeter and Lucan is always
going to be' like that," said Trish
Bogart.
Two months ago the Irish were in
the basement of the nine -team west
division.
Two months ago they didn't have
veteans Steve Watson, Greg De-
Prest, Scou Riddell, Jeremy Jemec
and Jim Stanton.
"They're all older guys and they
know what it takes to win. Once
they start showing it, the younger
guys will catch on," said Bogart.
Quick lead: Wednesday night
the Hawks burst into a very quick
2-0 lead.
Nathan Burns danced around the
defence and beat Watson and
Shayne Robinson with his first of
two put the visitors way in front.
In the first period, Exeter starting
goalie Darren Kints was hit with a
suck in the throat and he had to be
helped off the ice. He was replaced
by second -year Chris Lyndon.
Exeter coach Dave Revington
suspected that it was Lucan's
George Stephens who got the stick
high up into his goalie.
Revington later voiced his dis-
pleasure in the way in which refer-
ee Steve Gould called the game.
"It was a terrible show case for
minor hockey night," said Reving-
ton.
McBride put a little too much
lumber into the back of Dave Jenk-
en and just 14 seconds into his pen-
alty, Lucan's Christian Criel pulled
his team to within one.
"We played scrambly in the first.
The guys showed a lot of heart
coming back," said Bogart.
Robinson's second, this one just
1:12 into the second period, dug a
big hole for the Irish which they
quickly got out of.
A minute after Robinson's goal
Hudson let go with a snap shot over
Lyndon's shoulder. Scott Riddell
tied the score when he ,ot Lyndon
down and flipped it over top.
Travis Stinchcombe gave the
hosts their first lead of the game
when he reached out for the puck,
controlled it, and made it 4-3.
With 9:07 left in the second Kints
returned to the net but the Irish con-
tinued with unasnswered goals as
DePrest got his 16th of the year and
Hudson finished off a perfect' two -
on -one passing play with captain
Steve Matthews.
The rivals have faced off four
times this season, each winning
twice with the deciding game of the
unofficial series on January 24 in
Exeter.
"Exeter probably gets pumped up
more for the Lucan games than our ,
guys do. 1 think they want to prove
a point to Bix (co -coach Jeff Dal-
rymple) and myself," said Bogart
Many of the current Hawks
played midget when the duo
coached in the Exeter Minor Hock-
ey Association.
Lucky charms: The Irish had
their biggest win of the season, a
13-3 triumph over Mitchell on De-
cember 23. Defenseman Wil Giles
had three goals and affair orassists.
..After 26 games (14 remain), De-
Prest leads the Irish in scoring at
16-23-39, Matthews is 8-15-23 and
Giles is 6-14-20...Lucan was idle
on the weekend and they will take
on visiting Mt. Brydges tonight at
8:15 p.m.
Don Is that you? No the Lucan Irish didn't get a visit from Don Cherry last Wednesday night, it
was just a poster put up by the night's sponsor.
Junior `1)hockey
Penalties hurt Hawks,
edged 42 by Eskers
Exeter drop second in a
row, will try to regroup on
Friday against Mitchell 4.
By Fred Groves
T -A staff
EXETER - You can't win if youre in the penalty
box.
You can't beat the top team if you're playing short-
handed.
That's a couple of lessons the Exeter Hawks will
have to leam if they want to win hockey games in the
New Year.
Friday night, they built their traditional early 1-0
lead and then lost 4-2 to the visiting Pt. Stanley Lak-
ers in OHA Junior Development League play.
The loss, the second in a row for the Hawks, and
their third in the past four games, leaves them in third
plin west division with a 14-11-2 record.
,'t. Stanley still have a slight lead over Lambeth for
the top spot and now are 18-6-1 in the nine -team
loop.
Exeter coach Dave Revington said Friday's loss
and the defeat in Lucan two nights earlier, could have
had something to do with what he considered to be
poor officiating.
Friday, Revington said referee Paul Petrie did not
like what veteran Exeter defenseman Jamie Cornish
was doing on the ice. He gave Cornish, who Reving-
ton says is playing with some degree of 'discipline,
two minors and a ten-minute misconduct in the first
period.
"Every time we play, Petrie calls against Cornish.
Every night he referees he's got Cornish. I talked to
him (Petrie) after the second period. It's almost on a
personal level" said Revington.
Penalties hurt the most in the third when Chris Ken-
nedy went to the box for four minutes for face -
masking. That stopped the Hawks from mounting any
sort of an offensive attack. With six minutes left to
play Cornish was given a slashing penalty and then
the Hawks were immediately given a bench minor.
Scott Faulkner, the leading scorer in the east divi-
sion a year ago scored his third of the night, and his
second powerplay tally to ice the Lakers 18th win.
Once again the Hawks took a quick lead as Nathan
Burns scored just 1:54 into the game as he teamed
with Mark Livermore and Shayne Robinson. It was
1-1 after 20 minutes and 2-2 after two periods as
Robinson scored from Livermore.
But that was all the offence the hosts could come
up with de-
spite pound-
ing 40 shots
at Brad Jaw-
orski.
"I thought
he played
well for
them," said
Revington.
"The goal -
tenders have
played good
against us.
You have to
give our
guys some
credit".
Burns'
goal came
after Jaworski already made two stops but the re-
bound kept popping back out in front of him.
Faulkner's first of the night came on a tough angle
as he just got the shot over Darren Kints shoulder
and under the crossbar. Kints made a couple of big
saves in the first period including stopping Craig Jal-
bcrt on a breakaway.
The only big mistake Kints made on the night was
on the second Lakers goal, this one by Mark Steele.
The rookie goalie gambled by coming out to get the
puck and Steele had an open net to shoot at.
With 13 games left in the Hawks regular season
schedule, three against the Lakers and three against
Mitchell, Exeter still has to make some adjustments.
"We need to get a couple of players" said Reving-
ton.
Hawks happenings:...With midget Bill Hodge
playing for the Generals at the Silver Stick tourna-
ment, Nathan Blight was moved back to defense on
Friday night...Brian Gardner sat out due to an in-
stigator penalty he received in Lucan...Hawks see ac-
• tion next on Friday when they travel to Mitchell.
Nathan Bums - one goal
Hockey
coaching
tips:
Angling and
positioning
Do you spend enough time
teaching your players effective
defensive skills?
Angling/positioning skills al-
low a defender to check without
using body contact, and are the
foundation of all checking
skills. Players must learn effec-
tive angling/positioning skills in
younger categories before pro-
gressing to categories with body
contact and body checking.
In angling/positioning, a de-
fender uses controlled skating
and reads the degree of puck
control to forcc the puck carrier
in the desired direction. An-
gling/positioning must only be
taught once players have mas-
tered all skating skills.
Here are some suggestions:
• teach players to angle from
the inside -out, using angle and
speed to force the puck carrier
to the outside, where there is
only one route of escape and ap-
propriate stick checks can be ap-
plied; .
• players fhould use a con-
trolled angle approach whcn the
puck carrier has full puck con-
trol and pressure whcn the puck
carrier has less control;
• emphasize that players
should control skating speed,
keep their feet shoulder width
apart, head up and stick on the
ice;
• stress that players must be
aware of the "danger zone", the
three to four metres in front of
the boards, and to never push,
hump or shove an opponent
from behihd.
' To develop these skills, use
drills where players must play
one-on-one against a puck carri-
er coming out of the corner, us-
ing angling/positioning to force
the attacker to the outside. This
can be repeated in all four cor-
ners.
1