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The Citizen, 1999-02-10, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1999. From the sidelines Win or lose, treasure playoff memories Bv Hugh Nichol Minor hockey playoffs are underway and while Wiarton Willie has always received top billing this too is a sure sign spring is just around the corner. Originally all playoffs were single elimination, a loss and your season was over. The winners advanced series by series until a WOAA champion was declared who then represented our area in the OMHA playdowns. Later, in an attempt to extend the hockey season, the OMHA and WOAA championships became two separate playoffs, the result of which caused numerous conflicts in scheduling as the deadlines for each often overlapped. For example, in 1984 the Brussels Bantams sat idle for 38 days awaiting a winner between two teams who were simultaneously playing both playoff series against each other. Today a combination of each takes place as the true champion of the WOAA advances while the remaining teams playoff for group championships. Unfortunately, over the years many teams in the older categories have adopted an "I could care less" attitude towards what they consider is a meaningless extension of the schedule. A result of this behaviour is the reason the 1986 Group 2 Midget Championship banner hangs in the Brussels arena, won by default after the league convenor suspended both finalists from further play and awarded the trophy to the third place club. The raising of the championship banner is a ritual that has seldom occurred at the BMG arena. The 1981 Godfrey Bantams, the 1982 Ennismore PeeWees and the 1984 Wellington Midgets were all successful in spoiling victory festivities planned by minor hockey. Tykes win The Brussels Tykes hosted Bayfield on Saturday in a regular season game. After a scoreless first period Ben Gowing lit the light for Brussels with an unassisted goal. Late in the second period Brussels took charge of the game scoring three quick goals. Gowing scored two goals with assists on both goals going to Brendan Stretton. Taylor Prior scored with assists going to Evan Ducharme and Herbie Runstedler to make the score 4 - 0. Bayfield scored early in the third period to ruin Ryan Smith's shutout bid. Midway through the period Gowing scored his fourth of the game with Stretton again drawing an assist. Evan Ducharme's goal with Prior drawing an assist, completed the scoring to give Brussels a 6 - 1 victory. This weekend the Tykes travel to Hensail for a 10 a.m. game. On Sunday the Tykes hold their annual tournament at the BMG Community Centre. Brussels plays their first game at 8:30 a.m. Games run all day with championship games at 4:30 and 5:40 p.m. To date the 1984 series remains the toughest defeat to accept. Criss­ crossing between OMHA and WOAA the Midgets finished the season playing seven games in seven nights and came out second best in both league finals. During the late 1960s and early 1970s Allan Nichol was the guiding light of two teams that, despite being denied in the quest for hockey supremacy, will forever be remem­ bered in our local hockey history. The 1968 PeeWees, a club of which I was a member, was the first modern-day winner of a WOAA championship in the Brussels Minor system. For a boy who seldom left the family homestead and thought the drive to Paisley for the league title was an experience, you can imagine my anxiety upon travelling to the Six Nations Indian Reserve for the first round of the All­ Ontario's. Although defeated in straight games we were given a hero's welcome, complete with a team banquet at the Legion and the presentation of my first team jacket. Four years later the nucleus of that team again claimed WOAA honours before losing a deciding All-Ontario semi-final game in Cayuga. Three times they rallied to score in the last minute of a period to force extra time, including a heart stopping tally with two seconds showing on the clock to extend the game into a third and final period of overtime. For some the playoffs will be the grand finale of a successful winter, for others a chance of redemption after a mediocre season, and for a select few, a disappointing end to what could have been. Whatever the result treasure the moment for the memories will last forever. And remember, just because it's called All-Ontario does not mean you have to travel halfway across the province to play your opponent. After all the 1992 OMHA Midget "CC" Championship was decided in a series between Exeter and Clinton. No Money Down, No Interest, until October 1st, 1999until uciooer isi, iyyu. ■No Kidding! 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Bombardier Inc All nghls reserved Trademarks ol Bombardier Inc and/or aftiliales Otter available 1/18/99 Io 3/1/99 al participating dealers on avail­ able new unused 1998 and 1999 Ski-Doo snowmobiles, excluding all 1998 and 1999 Mtm Z, all 1998 and 1999 Tundra R. 1999 Grand Tourmg SE and 1999 MXZ 600 models Qualified customers may choose Io receive either Ride Free financing, a cash rebate up Io $800 00 or up to $100000 worth ol genuine Sta- Ooo parts, clothing or accessories, based on Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price Qualified customers selecting Ride Free will pay no down payment and wdl make no monthly payments and pay no interest until October 1. 1999 on retail instalment sales contracts purchased by and assigned to Bombardier Capital Ltd , excluding security deposit il any Otter can not be combmed and financing otter is subject to credit approval, applicable terms and conditions Some restrictions apply See a parbapabng dealer lor details Sports Bantam playoffs begin Tangled While the picture may not tell the tale here, the Blyth Bantams were tripped up on Sunday by Clifford, losing 6-4 in this playoff series game. (Mark Nonkes photo) r • Fri b v1 S I’M -1 After receiving a bye the first round, the Blyth Bantam Bulldogs began the second round of WOAA playoffs against Clifford, Sunday, Feb. 7 on home ice. Sitting for a week didn't do the Dogs any justice as they looked a little lost at times and sloppy play ended in their defeat by a keener Clifford squad. Clifford opened the scoring in the first period and notched another shortly after the second period began. Blyth answered the call in the second with a pair of goals Continued on page 19 PeeWees get wake-up call The Blyth PeeWees received a wake-up call from Wallace when they met in their first WOAA semi­ final game, Feb. 3. Wallace's attack, started strong and never let up as they popped three in the first, four in the second and five in the third. Blyth managed only one goal when Cole Stewart passed to Micah Loder al the 12:52 mark of the sec­ ond. The teams met again Feb. 8 in Wallace and will play tonight, Wednesday, in Blyth in the bcsl-of- fivc series. MCKILLOP MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING The 123rd Annual Meeting of the McKillop Mutual Insurance Company will be held in the office building of McKillop Mutual Insurance Company at 91 Main Street, South, SEAFORTH, Ontario on Wednesday, February 24, 1999 at 1:30 P.M. -To receive and dispose of the 1998 financial statements and Auditors Report - To appoint Auditors - To consider and enact proposed amendments to By-law #10 - To elect three directors - To transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting. - The retiring directors are Eric Anderson, Stuart Wilson and Kenneth Moore. All are eligible for re-election. Mr. Moore has decided not to seek re-election for another term. Please note any person wishing to seek election or re-election as a Director must file his intention to stand for election in writing with the Secretary of the Corporation at least seven days in advance of the Annual Meeting (By-Law #21) By order of the Board of Directors McKillop Mutual Insurance Company Seaforth, Ontario Ross Struthers Corporate Secretary