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Times Advocate, 1995-02-01, Page 15THE INTREPID SNOWMOBI LER Ely Craig Nicholson What's so great about snowmobiling? You've read the ballyhoo. Hotly itis worth over half a billion dollars to the provincial economy. That our 35,000 kilometer groomed trail system is the world's longest. Or that the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) has the largest membership in international snowmobiling. How Ontario snowmobilers are the number one contributor to East- er Seals in North America with $11.5 million in donations to date. That upwards of $20.8 million has been spent on trail development since 1991. Or that participation rates have increased by almost 100% during the same time. It's even said that Ontario snowmobiling is Canada's fastest growing winter recreation. So what. If you've never been on a snowmobile, what do you care? Your view of snowmobiling may range from benign neutrality to out- right hostility. Certainly snowmobilers trespassing on your property, disturbing your privacy or riding recklessly may have left a bad im- pression. Or maybe your memories date from those rugged riding and unreliable sled days of yore. Or perhaps you just hate winter. Snowmobiling isn't for everyone. You have to be an active outdoors type and winter lover. Equal parts adventurer, explorer and pioneer. , You need driving skills and a reasonable level of fitness. You should be an outgoing people -person. Likely, you want quality time with your family and friends, but not to be cooped up inside for the season: You may want to try something new, different and exciting. Or maybe you're simply fed up with those long line-ups at the ski lift. Whatever your motivation, anyone can start snowmobiling. My con- version began with frustration that'almost half the year was cold, dull and boring. I got away for two weeks each February, but never really escaped winter. Then one snowy weekend - I can't remember how -I found myself at a cottage. The pristine whiteness sparkling under a glorious sun and crystal blue sky took my breath away. Something clicked inside that said: "You should be out there enjoying that." And that's when I start- ed living with Old Man Winter. He can be tough. Cold: winter isn't enjoyable if you're always cold. But today there are numerous high tech snow suits, boots, gloves and head gear to ke4p you toasty. Snow Bound: winter isn't enjoyable if you aren't mobile. Hence, skis, snow shoes, sled dogs and snow- mobiles, take your pick. Danger: winter has special hazards such as ice, hypothermia, frost bite and storms. But preparedness, knowledge, experience and common sense prevail. Hardship: like anything, winter is tougher if you fight it. But co -existence and flexibility can make it blossom with exciting possibilities. My first snowmobile was a sixties clunker. I knew nothing about trails or clubs or trespass. I simply went where there was snow. Ad- veres memorable for getting stuck, colliding with buried obstacles, nee issing cars, getting lost and being nauseated by fumes, chased by angry dogs and greeted by pedestrians with raised fists. Also, for countless hours trying to jerry-rig.repairs to limp home. There had to be a better way.. • Today, there's np excuse for that kind of snowmobiling. But that im- age still lives erroneously in the public conscious as the perception of what snowmobiling is all about. Wrong. Sleds are as comfortable and reliable as cars. Snowmobile clubs thrive in almost every snowbelt community. Groomed trails criss-cross the province bringing tourists and business t7pportunities. And the vast majority of snowmobilers are responsible, sober family folks who obey the laws and respect their neighbours. Trails exist because that's where snowmobiles belong: safe corridors that protect private property and reduce intrusion; defined routes that save plants and wildlife from random damage; snow highways that promote active enjoyment away from urban centres. It's not perfect, but it is a far cry from what it used to be. Yes, all the ballyhoo is true. But so is the fact that not everyone loves snowmobiling. And there are still yahoos whose irresponsible riding perpetrates the bad rap we're trying to live down. So why should non- snowmobilers care? Because organized snowmobiling represents our best chance to work is allies to confront the challenges of winter. From snow- mobiling problems to new economic opportunities. From community recreation to family fun. Together, we can breathe new life into winter. And that's what's so great about snowmobiling. Until next time, happy trails and remember: Sled Smart - Ride Safe, Ride Sober. For in- formation on local snowmobiling, 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. latitSom tstitSiew YAMAHATo S tislyr 20% off Clothing 130 Csntrs St. Dashwood Phone 237. 1 Times -Advocate, February 1, 1995 Page 15 Big lead erased but Irish still win In the fifth'game with the Hawks, Lucan blew a 3-0 lead By Fred Groves T -A staff EXETER - You score three, I'll score three. You score one, I'll score one, You score one. That's the way it went last Tues- day night in atter at the South Huron Recreation Centre between the host Exeter Hawks and the vis- iting Lucan Irish. The OHM. Junior Development League gate between the rivals went back -and -forth all night be- ginning with a 3-0 lead for the Irish before the Hawks tied it. When the ' smoke had finally cleared the Irish won 6-4. Exeter dominated the first seven minutes and Lucan coach Scott Bo- gart decided to take his one and only time out right there to settle his team down. It worked as Greg DePrest scored twice and Trevor Emms made it 3-0 after 20 minutes. "We were scrambling around, us," said we were they put the pressure on Bogart. I don't know if nervous or excited." It was understandable that both teams might have had some jitters as the games between these two are always intense and even more so, this was the fifth and deciding game of the unofficial regular sea- son series. "They got a couple of powerplay goals and that hurt us. We got some Shuffleboard Exeter January 25 5 game winners Ina Williams Tom Williams Leona Elliot 4 game winners John Deweerd Howard Johns Muriel Marshall Marjorie Hodgert _ 3 game winners Joe Gosar Gordon Hoggarth Ross Richardson January 26 5 game winners Doris Denham Allen Johns Ina Williams Tom Williams 4 game winners Howard Johns Gil Northey John Deweerd Ann Northey 3 game winners Gordon Hoggarth Bea Johns Clare Harris 435 355 280 389 356 351 344 292 257 153 • - 4 513 447 418 401 547 491 396 366 325 312 241 opportunities and finished," said Exeter coach Dave Revington of the comeback. But while the Irish were ahead in the first, the Hawks refused to have their wings clipped so early and 27 seconds into the second frame, Chris Kennedy scored to pull with- in two. A goal by Ray Cousineau and Mark Livermore's first of two and the Hawks tied it up just 3:13 into the period. "We've kind of ben like thlt all year, hot -and -cold," said Bogart. We had a cold spot there and they capitalized," he said of the Hawks scoring three quick ones. "It was a funny game, back -and -forth." After things settled down for both teams Livermore got his second, this one coming with Lucan de- fenseman Keith Robson in the box for tripping. With just 43 seconds left in the second period, Lucan's Jeremy Je- mec shot one off the boards it came back right at Exeter goalie Brian Knight's feet and he jumped on it. While Knight was shakey in the first 20 minutes, and did not look good at all on DePrest's goal from the other side of the blueline, he settled—down later on. He dove 'across the crease and made a big glove save on Trevor Emms. The Hawks couldn't clear their own end and with 19 ticks left, Je- mec scored to tie it up 4-4 after 40 minutes. It didn't take the Irish long to score what proved to be the win- ner as George Stephens made it 5- 4. Exeter couldn't tie it up again and with 27 seconds left in the game DePrest stole the puck and got it to Steve Hudson for a shorthanded tal- ly. With Jamie Cornish sitting out his second of a tour -game suspen- sion and Jason McBride ejected in the second period following his third stick infraction, the Hawks were pretty thin on the blueline. Ben Guenther was called up from the midgets and although signed on a midget card, Bill Hodge was once again in the lineup. "I thought he (Guenther) played pretty well," said Revington. "We were missing a couple of key guys.' Not only was Cornish absent but so was high -scoring forward Na- than Burns. It was the fifth time the two teams have faced off this year, each picking up a pair of wins on home ice. Bogart admitted Tuesday's win had a bit of self satisfaction to it. "I guess I'd be tieing if I said no but we're excited about all the games we win." Irish in sixthplace: Saturday night in Parkhill, the Irish won their third straight, a 5-4 overtime win • against the North Middlesex Stars. DePrest had a hat/trick for the winners with the other two goals from Mike Robb. Captain Steve Matthews has received a four -game suspension for being the instigator. Also forward Christian Criel re- ceived a two -game suspension against the Stars. The win, coupled with a 6-3 vic- tory over visiting Mt. Brydges Bull- dogs last Wednesday, gives Lucan a 15-17-1 record good for sixth place. Tonight they take on the Seaforth Centenaires in Lucan at 8:15 p.m. Hawks struggling: Exeter con- tinues to have their up-and-down _ streaks as they dropped their third straight Saturday 5-4 to the division leading Pt. Stanley Lakers. The Hawks will try to regroup and get back on the winning side of things this weekend when they host Mt. Brydges on Friday and Mitch- ell on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. With six games left in their regu- lar season schedule, the Hawks are in third at 17-14-3. Exeter goalie Brian Knight looks at the puck while defenseman Mark Bell guards the net dur- ing last Tuesday's game against Lucan in Exeter. Hawks, Irish are gearing up or Junior 'D' playoffs The clock is ticking. The playoff clock that is. With half a dozen games left to go in their regular OHA Junior De- velopment League season, both the Exeter Hawks and the Lucan Irish are gearing up for the secontseason. There are nine teams in a west division and all but one of those make the playoffs. After the first 11 games, the Irish were a mess, they hadn't won a game and it looked as though they wouldn't. But things got a lot better in a big hurry as the executive called the coaching staff and told them to hang in there. They did and in No- vember they were 6-3 and from Dec. 17 to Jan. 4 put together a streak of five straight wins. - "We're gearing up," said Scott Bogart following last Tuesday's win over the Hawks. "We've had a game plan all year. The last 10 games were going to play like the playoffs." Who the Irish or the Hawks will play in the first round probably won't be determined until the final day of play. Unlike the east divi- sion, this side is more competitive. There are two reasons the trish have bounced back, Greg DePrest and Steve Watson. While everyone knows I like to give DePrest a lot of ink, there is a reason. He is a heck of a player and once he and the coaches came to grips with their misunderstandings, he's been Mr. Of- fense for them. Between the pipes Watson helped get that consistency they needed in goal but in the past few games he has had the problem of getting down and not being able to get up quick enough. Bogart is looking to get into a gear, preferably a high one which will take them all the way. He's got most of the tools to do it. "1 don't care what anyone says, you can't get to the playoffs and turn til it on -and -off." DePrest is matched with rugged Steve Matthews. second in team scoring and third in scoring Steve Hudson. But this line isn't the only threat because guys like veteran Jeremy Jemec and rookies Trevor Emms along with Christian Criel will get goals. Defensively, Scott Riddell and Mike Robb up front and blueliners Keith Robson, Bryan Steifel and Wil Giles are solid. If Watson gets cold, Knyvet Carson who came over from Tha- mesaerd can get the job done. HU -and -cold: The Hawks have been hot -and -cold most of the season but with a lot of depth and some talented rookies have man- aged to stay in the top half of the league. • Exeter likes to score the first goal of a game, usually it's Nathan Burns who gets it. But hanging on to a lead, especially with a recent game against Seaforth isn't always possible. Young defensemen Mark Bell and Bill Hodge (also playing for the ' midgets), winger Jeff Glavin and goalie Darren Kints have turned in good rookie performances. "We give up too much late in the game and we're taking too many penalties," said Hawks coach Dave Revington. Staying out of the box is something the Hawks must do in order to win. Defensemen Jamie Cornish and Jason McBride both have well over 100 minutes in penalties which will only continue to hurt the team. Offensively Chris Kennedy, Ray Cousineau, Mark Livermore, Shayne Robinson and Burns lead the way. Captain Sean McCann has yet to score half as many goals as he had last year but he leads the team in assists. When asked who will come forth in the post -season to lead the team, Revington said, "I don't know, it's hard to say. I think Steve Farquhar can get some goals." Goalie Brian Knight replaced second -year Chris Lyndon and both he and Kints could see time in the playoffs. Knight is quick, especial- ly moving across the goal crease. From the sldelinea:..Congratulations to the Exeter Classics who recently took the silver medal at the Niagara Invitational precision skating competition in Burlington...