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Times Advocate, 1992-01-08, Page 13Unbeaten in four Hawks move into third place By Ray Lewis LAMBETH - Prior to the Christ- masbreak, the only gift coach John Kernick of the Exeter Hawks was hoping for was a late -season surge .from his team. Santa must have heard him, because thc squad has finally managed to put things to- ge lit -er in the OHP Development (Junior 'D') league. The locals scored 21 galls in two games on the weekend and now lead their OHA west division in of- • tense: • 'Irhe-two-wins-•helped string Exeter's unbeaten streak - to tour. their longest of the season, and have •vaulted them into third place in the division standings behind Mitchell and Lucan. Consistency has been somewhat lacking until now, something Ker - nick is hoping to improve on be - tore the playoffs. "We've got to start showing up for every game," said Kernick.. "You can't just turn it on and aft like that and expect to get by in the playoffs." The Hawks have just completed five games in a six -game road spread, and are definitely looking forward to the home stretch. Exet- er will travel to Alvinston 1-riday night, but following the annual All- Star game ori Saturday, the locals will enjoy eight of their fast nine games at home. "It's very crucial for us to start playing better at home," stated Ker - nick. "That's one thing I've been disappointed with." Kernick said his team is looking for some confidence within the confines of the South Huron Rec Centre during the home stand, which will make home ice advan- tage mean something in the playoffs. Eight of their next 11 garpes arc against teams below them in the standings, with one game against Mitchell aha hnmemandbome st; ries with the Lucan Irish.' On paper, it appears a great opportuni- ty for the Hawks, and Kernick re- mains optimistic. ° "We have shown that ;when we play well we can beat Lucan," said Kernick. "But we've got to learn that we can keep that intensity eve- ry game. and that's something we haven't shown yet." • Exeter 12, Lambeth 4 Centre Shawn Chipchase explod- ed for four goals and three assists Sunday evening in Launbeth, ignit- ing the Hawks to a 12-4 thrashing of the Lancers in the west division battle for third place. Heading into the game the two squads were tied. "Chipchase was really hot," said Kernick. "But we played well right down the list." The Hawks built a 3-0 lead over the first period and never looked back recording their 15th win of the season. Chipchase seven points were tops, but Exeter also got a lot of points from some other key person- _ncl. Paul Manders_bad five acsieis while Shayne Robinson and Dave Dalrymple both had four point nights. The only dim spot came during Scott Schiedel's first shift when he .we t...down with bruised knee lige=_ menus. The 20 -year-old veteran centre has been made an all-star se- lection along with dcfenseman Al Blommaert for this Saturday's game, but the injury may force him to sit out. "It doesn't seem to be anything serious," said Kernick. "But it's go- -ing--io--ether-him-tea while well have to wait and see " Exeter 9, Belmont 4 The locals had a fine , night against the Pests in Belmont Satur- day, knocking off the host squad 9- . --'Ittc- victory. -was a •.great.-basst. "Or .the Hawks, 1 . $elmontf_hry trained a thorn in their side for most of their season. "Everybody had a good attitude and it was a great morale boost," said a pleased Kernick. "h couldn't have come at a better time." The Hawks got a pair of goals __from Robinson .and singles from Derck Shackleton, Dan Ryan, An- drew Barton, Mark Reid, • Dalrym- ple, Doug Clark .and Ray Cousi- neau. Exeter's next home game will be ...Tuesday, January, 14 when _they host Mt. Brydges. Try+ng ilo 1get�away J r Judy Wilson, left; of the Exeter Juniors had a tough time defending against Stratford during rin- gette play in Hensall on Sunday. For results, see page 16. 7 g 'are ouse :est •ricP� Tooling Warehouse - Best Prices Tooling Warehouse - Best Prices On In stock and special order;. industrial Quality Carbldr HUREX • Tooling Warehouse - Best Prices Equipment and Tools Hwy. #4 North, Exeter 235-0318 Tooling Warehouse - Best Prices a�u. lses - esnoy2J / u!loo N U) Sheillitithe WON( have a midget champ is called the sec- ond season. Playoffs, the begin- ning of•the end. In hockey, minor teams•are faced with this twice. They finish their regular season and bang, it's head first into the league and the OMHA playoffs. Forone -local-team however, the -league playoffs will not ex- ist. The Zurich midgets compete in thc Westem Ontario Athlet- ic Association which has abolished a league championship. According to • WOAA convener Rick Vivian of Mitchell, their games have been too overly aggressive in the past. "The biggest trouble wc were running into was the rough stuff. We ended up with so many game misconducts and -match penalties, gamnesweren'tgetting finished," said Vivian. A lot of midget -aged hockey players are done playing the sport after midget. True there are a few juvenile teams around and some go on to junior but the percentage is low. The Zurich Thunder are near the top of the WOAA midget S-1 division with an 11-2-1 league record. Since there is no league championship to play for, once the WOAA season is .aver, Vivian says they will proabably play the winner of Li- ons Head -Tiverton and the winner of that will represent the league in the OMHA playdowns. Bud Markham, coach of the Zurich midgets said he would like to sec a league championship. , "How elsc do you measure yourself in your own league?" he questioned. Markharu said that if a coach can control his team, there shouldn't be a lot of unnecessary penalties called. Vivian explained that the WOAA stopped having the cham- pion determined a couple of years ago. There are still trophies sitting behind glass somewhere gathering dust. "If the majority of the teams want one well have one but wc don't want a goon show. We don't want minor hockey ruined." The Exeter Bears play. against Zurich in the WOAA league and since they arc not a rep team and don't go into the OMHA playdowns, their season comes to a quick end if there is no WOAA playoffs. Continue season: Vivian said teams can keep playing- if they want to get more games in. "They rather would just go to tournaments or play exhibi- tion games to finish out their season." Other Exeter house league teams play in the Lambton- Middlesex loop which does have a championship tournament. For rep teams, not only arc they eligible for -OMHA play - downs but they determine a winner in the Shamrock League. That league as far as the midget division is concemcd, is not without its share of overly rough games when it comes to the finals. When asked if the Shamrock League was ever considering eliminating their championship, president Ron Lee of Den- field said, "we've never considered it to my knowledge. We have problems last year." He said the league tries to monitor those players who re- ceive suspensions..Lee explained the league will speak to any player who has three suspensions: In his own association, Ilderton, Lee said any player who re- ceives three match penalties during the year is asked to leave the association. While midget hockey is often the one which receives the most attention as far as violence is concerned, it has filtered down into the younger bantam division.. Vivian says the WOAA is keeping an eye on that division and any other that gets too rough. "If we find a series that's -getting too rough, we just go in and say any suspension you get, we double it. That seems to quiet things down." He said this policy works well because the 'suspension car- nes over into kite next ye$r and if a player wants to go into junior; that's a big set back for the following season. sidelines by Fred G roves frirIPinr Delighting in Details Wedding Flowers Every wedding is special to us. All of the little details that are so important to you and your special day are important to us. JoAnne °limey Handcrafted, artistic fresh and silk bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, headpiec- es, church decorations, floral arrangements, candelabra, pew markers„green plaints, hall decorations, tablearrangements, head table settings, balloons, deljv- ey, set up, consultation, free bouquet to throw - appointment recommended. Call ma .west the professionals COUNTRY- riatitzst•• , +vin9 "#e+•ee#er• •? v We giver *miles