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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-03-24, Page 12THIS WEEK IN SPORTS Sherwoods even series. Page I3 Lucan Atoms earn silver medals. Page I4 12 TIMES ADVOCATE SPORTS TIPS? Contact Exeter Times Advocate Tel: Pat Bolen (519) 235-1336 x113 Fax: (519) 235-0766 E-mail: sports@southhuron.com Exeter Times -Advocate Hawks eliminate Lucan in six to face Lakers By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — Three straight wins by the Exeter Hawks over the Lucan Irish have advanced the Hawks to the OHA semi-finals against the Port Stanley Lakers, who eliminated Lambeth in six games. The series opened last night in Exeter with game two in Pt. Stanley Friday at 8 p.m. Game three will be March 28 in Exeter at 7:30 p.m. with game four March 30 in Pt. Stanley at 8:30 p.m. Down 2-1 going into Wednesday's game four in Lucan, the Hawks pulled out a hard fought 3-2 win in overtime, before taking the lead in the series with a 4-1 win at home Friday night. After falling behind 2-0 to the Irish in game six Saturday night, the Hawks roared back for a 6-3 win to eliminate the Irish. Wednesday night in Lucan, the Irish grabbed an early lead on a goal by Mark Read in the first period. But the Hawks responded with a pair of power play goals in the second to take a 2-1 lead. Travis Elder got the Hawks on the board before Joe Nesbitt gave them a 2-1 lead four minutes later. But the lead was shortlived as Ryan Giffen tied it just two minutes later. With neither team able to break the tie in the third, it Midget OMHA finals ENNISMORE — The South Huron Midgets travelled to Ennismore on the weekend to play back to back games in their OMHA Major Midget 'CC' playoffs finals. South Huron returned home with two more points in their six -point series to add to the two points they secured March 13 with their win in Exeter. During the March 20 game, Matt Martene scored the first goal assisted by Erik Denomme. In the second, Jeff Smale scored with assists from Jordan Darling and Martene. Greg Thompson assisted Jeff Van Bergen in the third period to tie the game and send it to over- time with the final score remaining a 3-3. March 21, South Huron got on the board first again with goals from Adam Johns and Brent Windsor with Jason Thompson assisting on both. South Huron played another nail biter coming out of overtime with a 2- 2. Sean Ellison shone once again in goal during both these games, keeping the score close. South Huron will be hoping for fans to come out and support them as they try to clinch the series Saturday at 6:30 pm. and if necessary Sunday at 4 p.m. Midgets to provincials EXETER — The South Huron Midget girls are headed for the provincial championships in Toronto after winning a round robin playdown. Team manager Ken Farquhar said the Midgets had an excellent season, finishing first in their league before advancing to the provincials. The tournament will be held April 16-18 in Toronto with either 12 or 16 teams competing in four pools. Farquhar said the Midgets have improved consid- erably over the season, especially in their team work. "Their skills have improved in skating and stick - handling, but we have played well as a team. We don't really have big superstars, we just play well as a unit and that has been the biggest part of it." Farquhar added with many of the players on the team forming the nucleus of the South Huron District High School hockey team that is heading to OFSAA, the players have had a lot of hockey this season. The Midgets advanced to the provincials by win- ning their round robin playdown against Lambeth and Plattsville, defeating Plattsville twice and tying and beating Lambeth. South Huron will also be going to a tournament in Hamilton from April 2-4 which Farquhar said will serve as a warm-up for the provincials. "Hopefully we'll come out of there with some suc- cess on a high and ready for provincials." went to overtime with chances at both ends. Jeff Finkbeiner made a diving slide across the ice in his own end to prevent a breakaway by Matt Thompson before Kyle Roth broke in with a low shot and a second chance on the rebound, but couldn't beat Exeter goalie Cam Becker. But Shawn Sherwood made no mistake with time winding down in the extra frame, breaking in alone on Dobbie for the overtime winner. Friday night in Exeter, the Hawks applied pressure early with Justin Knee getting a chance and Finkbeiner snapping a shot Dobbie made a glove save on. Exeter outshot the Irish 9-4 in the first, but couldn't get anything by Dobbie. Elder had a chance late in the period, stealing the puck in front of the Irish net, but couldn't beat the div- ing poke check of Dobbie. Matt Read opened the scoring midway through the second beating Becker with a high wrist shot, but the lead lasted only 12 seconds. Breaking in off the faceoff, Stuckless made it a 1-1 game. With Lucan pressing for the go ahead goal, Becker made the save of the game, making a glove save off a point blank shot fron the slot to keep it 1-1. The Hawks took control in the third off a faceoff, when Evan Lutz drew it directly to Stuckless, who fired a wristshot past Dobbie. Elder gave the Hawks some insurance late in the peri- od before Michael Carnegie sealed it with a power play goal to make it a 4-1 final. Back in Lucan Saturday night, the Irish got the start they wanted with a pair of goals in the first. Matt Read put them on the board early, beating Becker on a breakaway, before picking up his second four minutes later, poking the puck over the line after it dribbled through Becker. Scott Davies cut the lead to one early in the second on an Exeter power play but the Irish responded just 40 seconds later on a goal by Thompson to restore the two - goal margain. But it was all Exeter after that as they tied it before the period was over on a goal by Lutz. The Hawks took control in the third, firing four straight goals from Henny Pfaff, Daryl Bourne, Stuckless and an empty net marker by Sherwood for a 6-3 win and the series. Exeter coach Dave Revington said the Hawks played well as a group and were backed up strongly by Becker in net. "Two goals against in three playoff games, two on the road, those are good numbers." With goals coming from several different players, Revington said it showed the Hawks were not a one dimensional team. "You can shadow one guy, but we've got some other guys who step it up offensively." Pt. Stanley was second overall in goals scored and the least penalized team in the league. "They're more of a big offensive team, they're not so much defensively responsible but their goaltender is pretty solid too" said Revington. Local team inWaterloo tournament WATERLOO — A local soccer club comprised of players from the Exeter, Goderich and St. Columban areas was involved in an indoor tournament at Waterloo's RIM Park complex this past weekend. Goderich Homestead played their four pool games March 13 in the prestigious Futsal Ontario 2004 Club Championship which showcases top play- ers from all around the province. Homestead opened the tournament strong with a 2-1 victory over Collingwood. Goals by Matt Szabo and Steve Ryan pushed the side past the pressing Collingwood squad. The second pool match saw Homestead take on an experienced St. Thomas Kickers team. It quickly turned into a defensive struggle from the start with both teams marking tightly allowing for only a few scoring opportunities. The game finished 0-0. Homestead's offence kicked it up a notch in their 4-2 victory over the Ottawa Boca Juniors. The game was spirited as numerous fouls were called against both teams as well as a red card shown to an Ottawa play- er. Two goals by Luke Shephard and one each from Szabo and Ryan ensured the team seven points going into their final pool game. Homestead faced Strathroy Benfica, defend- ing champions and even- tual winners of the tour- nament, in their final game. Solid defensive play by Gerd Keller and keeper Ben Kaak held Benfica to a 2-0 win, Homestead's first loss of the tourna- ment. Tied with the Boca Juniors for second in the pool, Homestead advanced to the quarter finals on goal differential, a first for members of the squad who had been to the tournament in previ- ous years. The quarter final match featured a high powered attacking squad in Toronto Futsal Palace. Homestead was looking to utilize the tight defen- sive tactics that got them to this stage of the compe- tition in the face of Toronto's previous pool wins of 16-1 and 9-2. PLAYOFF TIME! SENIOR 'A' SEMI FINALS Game 6 vs CLINTON Sat. Mar. 27 8:30 p.m. HENSALL ARENA However, a very confi- dent Toronto side could not get much going in the first half, leading 1-0 on a fortuitous ball that slipped past the Homestead keep- er. The second half remained close until the final minutes when Homestead opened up a little in an effort to equal- ize which resulted in two more goals for Toronto in a 3-0 win. Members of the Goderich Homestead F.C. include Jeremy DeMers, John Jordan, Ben Kaak, Gerd Keller, Steve Ryan, Luke Shephard, Matt Szabo and Joe Turford. Duplicate Bridge (March 17) Edith Brintnell John Brintnell 741/2 Barb Courtis 641/2 Henry Morrissey Marshall Dearing Linda McLean 641/2 Lil Mathers 5 3 Harry Mathers LUCAN SKATING CLUB'S ANNUAL CARNIVAL PgreCIsZi'e I&cfltd SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2-4 PM ADULTS: $5 ADVANCE • $6 DOOR CHILDREN 14 S UNDER: $3 ADVANCE • $4 DOOR CHILDREN 5 S UNDER: FREE EXETER MINOR BASEBALL REGISTRATION SAT. MAR. 24- 7-9 p.m. WED. MAR. 31-7-9 p.m. AT THE SH REC CENTRE For more information or if you would like to volunteer contact: Dave Reid 235-0670