Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-09-13, Page 20THIS WEEK IN SPORTS Express Page 21 Claybird Page 22 20 TIMES ADVOCATE Sports SPORTS TIPS? Contact Exeter Times Advocate Tel: Pat Bolen (519) 235-1336 x113 Fax: (5 1 9) 235-0766 E-mail: sports@southhuron.com Wednesday, September 13, 2006 Irish trying to repeat By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN — The Lucan Irish started their defence of their Junior 'D' title Sept. 9 in Lucan with an exhibition game against the Thamesford Trojans which ended 5-5. Back behind the bench again this season will be Jason Heywood who said the team has lost only a few overagers and will have a solid core of players returning. "We've had a few pleasant surprises in camp and as a coach, I'm pretty happy with where we'll be in the league for being able to com- pete." One of the positions that remains to be set for the Irish is in net with last year's goalie Cory Hackney going to school in the United States this season. "It would be nice if we could open the season with a number one goalie but if we can't we'll wait it out and find somebody that can be the number one," said Heywood. Getting used to the new rules brought in to speed up the game will be an adjustment for the players but is a positive for the game, according to Heywood who said the best players will be able to display their skills. "It's going to be a great test of patience for the coaching staff, the ref- erees and the players...the referees have to stick to their guns if they really want it to go through. That's what they did in the NHL and they're going to have to do it here to." Different types of players can be picked under the new rules, accord- ing to Heywood who said players, who in other seasons were too small to play in the league, can now be picked because it won't be as physi- cal. Coaching will be the biggest part of making the rules work, said Heywood. "You have to teach the foot work...practices become even more important because that's where you work on your skating and your techniques...it's a good thing for hockey and the guys who are good players will be rewarded." Despite the changes, Heywood said toughness will remain in the game, but it will be, "can you skate and hit? No more hooking, no more slashing. You put a stick on somebody it's a penalty. "There will be a sharp learning curve. If guys can't adapt, they won't play because you can't afford to play shorthanded all the time." While Heywood said teams around the league will be playing the defending champions harder this season, he added the Irish have the advantage with a group of players who know how to win. "That is a wonderful feeling as a coach, that they know how to win that game at the end. You can't teach that, it has to be learned." The Irish have another exhibition game tonight in Lucan at 7:45 p.m. against St. George and finish their pre -season play Sept. 20 when Lambeth visits for a 7:45 p.m. game. The Irish open their regular season Sept. 23 in Belmont at 7:45 p.m. before playing their home opener Sept. 27 against visiting Lambeth at 7;45 p.m. Jets ready for third season By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN — The Lucan-Ilderton Jets are going into their third season looking to continue to improve with a new head coach behind the bench, says general manager Rob Andrews. Coaching the Jets this season will be former assistant coach Glen Marshall, assisted by Scott Greig. The Jets will open their season Oct. 7 at home against Milverton and Andrews said the team will have most of the same lineup as last season. Rejoining the team, says Andrews, may be Sean Fairweather, who spent last season working and playing hockey in Australia. Andrews said the Jets may benefit from new rules introduced to speed up the game. "Being that we have quite a few small guys, it could real- ly help. We've got some good skilled fast kids and if the rules are called the way they are supposed to, it could be a real benefit to us." With the mandate coming from Hockey Canada to enforce the rules at all levels, Andrews said "They fig- ured it's time to get back to hockey and let the skilled players play. It's going to eliminate those guys who are only there for one reason and I think it is going to be a good thing." Andrews said while Marshall knows the Jets system, he will implement his own system as well. "They're trying to convince the guys that this is what's going to hap- pen," said Andrews of the new coaches. "And they're going to have to buy into it...when you've got guys playing this style of hockey for 20 years it's going to be tough. But I think after the first couple of games, they're going to catch on." Another change that Andrews said will be interesting this season is that only four teams from each division will play for the 'AA' title. "That means every game is important...you have to come ready to play and I think it's going to be a good thing when guys realize when every game means something." Andrews said one of the players the Jets will rely on for leadership again this season will be captain Steve Mathews. "He's very well spo- ken and the guys respect him " Although Andrews said the Jets have a tough schedule to start the season with games against Hensall, Clinton, Tavistock and Milverton in October, he noted the Jets have come out of the gate quickly to start the last two seasons. "Hopefully it happens again." Silver medal for lawn bowlers Exeter lawn bowling skip Peter McFalls along with vice Colin McLuckie and lead Bruce Marshall came home with the silver medal from the Canadian Senior Men's Triples Lawn Bowling Championships held recently in Manitoba. (photo/submitted) EXETER — Exeter lawn bowling skip Peter McFalls along with vice Colin McLuckie and lead Bruce Marshall came home with the silver medal from the Canadian Senior Men's Triples Lawn Bowling Championships held recently in Manitoba. The team lost a hard fought 16-9 final game to the Ontario One team after win- ning seven of their nine games in the semifinal. McFalls said the team, which hadn't bowled together before the tournament, defeated British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba Two, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia to play for the gold medal against Ontario Two. But McFalls said the opposi- tion outbowled Ontario One and found the range first to take the gold. Despite the loss, McFalls said the tourna- ment was a great experience. The team is hoping to be back together again to try and qualify for next year's tourna- ment. Hawks ready for new season By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — "We're very impressed with what we have so far," says Exeter Hawks coach Art Larivee after the team played sev- eral exhibition games over the weekend in Wingham. "Things are looking real good," added Larivee who said the team started the weekend with a 6-3 loss to the Ironmen before los- ing 4-3 to Goderich. The Hawks bounced back Sunday with a 6-4 win at the Rec Centre over Goderich. Larivee said the team is close to getting its roster finalized "We're still looking to fill a couple of holes but we're pretty much there. Our defence is pretty much set and we're just looking to see about com- mittments from guys com- ing back from Junior B camps." Larivee said the players are starting to adjust to the crackdown on obstruction. "We're learning like everyone. The referees are learning and the play- ers and coaches are learning. It's going to take a bit of time but it will definitely come down to special teams. Whoever has the power play and the penalty kill is going to win because that's what the whole game is." According to Larivee, the Hawks have all of their overagers returning with the exception of goalie Justin Hayter and the team will be going with Steve Osgood and Mac Potter in net. The Hawks are in Wingham this weekend and open their season Sept. 22 when West Lorne visits before Exeter takes to the road for their first away game Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. in North Middlesex. Fury play to draw versus Benfica EXETER — On Sunday night the Exeter Fury played host to the team, Benfica, that they were try- ing to catch in the stand- ings. The standings did not change as they played to a 1-1 draw in what was a chippy affair. In the first half, neither side dominated and the scoring chances were limit- ed to shots from the perimeter. Matt Strano had the Fury's best chance, but his shot sailed over the net. Exeter's defence was strong, with Justin Muller, Ryan Ralph and Craig Hern coming up with key tackles. Entering the second frame, Benfica had an early chance when a bouncing ball found its way to a wait- ing striker but he didn't make great contact howev- er, and his shot went wide. The Fury seemed to gain momentum from this and Strano was given the ball on the left wing. He dipsy-doodled with the ball in a scene reminiscent from the recently concluded World Cup before firing a bullet into the top right cor- ner past a stunned Benfica keeper. "That was definitely the goal of the year," stated Fury spokesperson Shawn McFalls. Exeter seemed to go into a defensive shell following that goal and it almost worked, but with less than ten minutes to play, Benfica fired a free kick into the six -yard box where it was coralled and deposited into the back of the net. "We played a strong game tonight, but we just got a little unlucky near the end," McFalls said after the game. "We deserved a bet- ter fate, but now we must regroup for our game Friday versus Marconi."