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The Times Advocate, 2006-12-13, Page 18THIS WEEK IN SPORTS Basketball Page 19 Sherwoods Page I9 Sp orts 18 TIMES ADVOCATE SPORTS Tips? Contact Exeter Times Advocate Tel: Pat Bolen (519) 235-1336 x113 Fax: (519) 235-0766 E-mail: sports©southhuron.com Wednesday, December 13, 2006 Hawks can't break slump Pooley honoured by Ohio State By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — "An absolute nightmare," was how Exeter Hawk coach Deryk Howard described the officiating for the team's game Dec. 9 at home against the Lambeth Lancers which ended 5-2 for the visitors. The Hawks were in Belmont Dec. 10 and came out on the short end of a 5-4 game. After playing the Lancers to a 1-1 tie almost to the end of the second period, with 0.9 seconds left on the clock Howard said a call on a disputed goal was taken to the dress- ing room by referee Chris DeWachter. "We don't have replay equipment," said Howard. "There's noth- ing else you're going to do except maybe fog your memory. "He loses control of every third period we've seen him the last two years. And I'm just not happy with the job he did." The Hawks rallied to tie but Howard said they couldn't get out of a penalty filled third period as the Lancers fired three in the period for the 5-2 win. "We couldn't have Exeter Hawk goalie EricVanderwerf makes a save against Lambeth Dec.8 at the South Huron Rec Centre which ended 5-2 for the Lancers. (photo/Nina Van Lieshout) done anything better on Friday. We just weren't able to get the referee we needed to win...this is the worst refereeing I've seen ever. I don't understand how a ref- eree can review a call in the intermission. I've bit my tongue for too long about this gentle- man." Howard said the Hawks will start getting their injured players back in the lineup this weekend, but until he is able to dress a full line- up, it will be difficult for the team. "Lambeth is one of the top teams, 0-0 first, 1-1 second...and we end up losing 5-2 because five - on -threes were horren- dous." Howard said the team is looking for ways to turn the season around and that the players have gotten together on their own to look at the direction of the team and refocus. "Since then, we've played some really good hockey games. Howard said he is fil- ing a grievance "to let the OHA know I think we have a gentleman out there who is not capable of reffing this level of hockey...refer- ees are supposed to be able to command a cer- tain level of respect. He doesn't do that." Howard added he felt the player meeting was positive and the team building will continue this weekend with the Hawks going to a London Knights game. The Hawks have two games this weekend and face Thamesford Friday night in Exeter at 8:30 p.m. before vis- iting Mitchell Sunday night at 7 p.m. "It's tough when you play well enough to win and it's not even the other team that beats you" said Howard. "We don't have a lot of time left and we realize that." By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF NOTRE DAME — "It's not something you certainly think about," says Notre Dame coach assistant coach Paul Pooley, who grew up in Exeter and had his number 22 sweater retired by the Ohio State Buckeyes Nov. 4. "You've seen a few of them on televi- sion..but not ever thinking it's you, so it was kind of a neat feeling." Pooley, who played for the Buckeyes between 1981 and 1984 is the Ohio State all-time leading scorer with 270 points and also holds the OSU career record for goals (114) and assists (156). His 270 career points is tied for 20th in NCAA history, while his goal and assist totals are among the best in the NCAA all-time. In 1984, Pooley posted Ohio State single -season records for points (96) and assists (64). At the end of that year, he was named the Bauer National Player of the Year, was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award and earned first -team All -America honors. Pooley also was named the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Player of the Year, the only Buckeye to earn the honour. Pooley said although he had a year to prepare for the event, when he got up to speak, he got a little emotion- al. "I played with a lot of real good hockey players that allowed me to have the success I had...that was one of the things I wanted to make sure I said." Pooley is in his second year as a coach with the Notre Dame University hockey club and said the team is doing quite well, as they are rated third in the United States with a 14-3-1 record. After a 13-19-4 season in his first year with the team, Pooley said this year the players have bought into what the coaches are saying as well the team having an influx of talented freshmen. "It's been a good team effort and we've been real excited and we're excited about what we're doing. Pooley added coaching with the Fighting Irish is a perfect situation for him and he couldn't be happier working with coach JeffJackson. "I do all of the special- ty teams...all of the pre -scout stuff and a lot of different things. I really feel good." Paul Pooley Jets remain in first despite 5-4 loss in Clinton By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN — A shot off the crossbar for the Lucan-Ilderton Jets was the differ- ence Dec. 8 in Clinton as they were edged 5-4 by the Radars. The Jets remain in first place with 25 points, three ahead of Clinton. Despite the Jets' success on the ice in their first three seasons, general manag- er Rob Andrews said a lack of atten- dance means the team will have to decide whether it can put a team on the ice next season. The Jets were up 2-1 in Clinton after one period on goals from Jason Davies and Darrell Parsons but the Radars took a 3-2 lead after the second and 5-2 in the third. The Jets cut the lead to 5-4 in the final period with goals from Todd Hunt and Davies. With their net empty, the Jets put a shot off the crossbar which was as close as they could get as the Radars held on for the win. Despite missing several players and using only three lines, Andrews said it was one of the better games of the sea- son. Back in Lucan Dec. 10 against Monkton, the teams were tied 2-2 at the first with Hunt and Parsons scoring for the Jets. Lucan-Ilderton took a 5-3 lead after the second period with goals from Parsons, Jon Sotelo and Davies before Jason Wilson and Davies put the game away in the third for a 7-4 win. With the top teams in the league so close, Andrews said the difference from game to game can depend on officiating. "There were a lot of calls the other night both sides were wondering about...inconsistency with the officiating is what's killing everybody. You notice it from game to game and the guys just haven't been able to figure it out. At this time of year you should know what is going to be a penalty and what isn't." Another issue Andrews is concerned about is the possibility Tavistock will lose all of its points due to an adminis- trative error handing in its cards. "If it was our team that they said they were going to take away all those wins, I probably say we're out," said Andrews. "We earned five out of six points and those other guys are going to be given those points. And I don't think that's right." Andrews said an even more important issue for the Jets is getting fans into the arena. "What do you do? You can only offer so many promotions. If people don't want to come and watch, they're not going to." Unable to get ice in Ilderton, Andrews said there is nowhere for the team to go. "We can't afford to operate our team the way we're operating if our crowds are going to be like this." Out of danger — Lucan-Ilderton Jet Darrell Parsons clears the puck away from goalie Dave Riddell's net Dec. 9 in Lucan.The Jets defeated the Monkton Wildcats 7-4. (photo/Nina Van Lieshout) After paying the referees Dec. 9, Andrews said the Jets' gate was $183. "That doesn't cover the ice time and we still have expenses. And if you're not covering your expenses why are you running? "I don't know what the answer is but if we don't figure out some ways to get going here, we're going to be in trou- ble...we're going to get through the year, but it's something to take a serious look at as to whether we go next year or not." The Jets will face off against Hensall Saturday afternoon in Exeter at 5 p.m.