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Clinton News-Record, 1984-04-04, Page 21MORAY, •'ll 4, * deport on Sports By R Prediction corner d wilts This week marks the beginning of two Clark should be able to put' out those late - seasons. Mter •1; games, the NHL is lidding inning fires that burnt the Blue Jays right itself of, five teams and starting the out of the playoff picture last season. countdown tO the Stanley Cup. If Willie Aikens can kick his coke habit, he Closer to home, the Toronto Blue Jays will should add some power that the Jays could embark on, their 1984 season Wednesday use. Aikens, combined with veteran Cliff night against the Seattle Mariners. Johnston at the designated hitter's position, It's that time of year again. It's the time of will allow Toronto to add to their league - year when I put myself out on a limb and leading hitting performance of last season. predict the outcome of the 1984 baseball and This season the Blue Jays are going to be hockey SPA grin under pressure from day one. No longer are Here's how they'll finish they the young inexperienced team of the '70s, a team that wasn't expected to ;vin half of their games. This season the Jays are under the gun of Coach Bobby Cox to win 95 games. They are exvected to win bi Third place will be a credit to the Jays. The American League East is a jungle with Detroit and Baltimore the teams favored to capture the division: It's not all Roses Pete Rose could add wisdom to the Expos' dugout but don't expect the aging Aqua Velva man to set the field on fire. The biggest test for Rose will be how he adapts to left field. I don't think he can adequately fill the role. His over -40 status Wad 1d show more than ever this year and it will be interesting to see how he handles the dog days of August. Andre Dawson, one of the best rounded players in the game has developed weak knees (slightly battered) and if he is injured during the regular season, the Expos will be in big trouble. Outfielder Terry Francona is a rookie in my books and despite having a good season before tearing his knees up last season, still hasn't fully developed. On the mound, Steve Rogers will begin the season on the injury list. I think Rogers is at his peak and this year his performance may begin to taper off . Baseball experts have been saying for five years that, "this is going to be the Expos' year." Something always goes wrong with the Montreal Machine and why should this AL EAST AL WEST 1- Baltimore 2 - Detroit 3 - Toranto. 4 -'New York 5 - Milwaukee 6 - Boston 7 - Cleveland NL EAST 1- Chicago 2 - Oakland 3 - Texas 4 - California 5 - Minnesota 6 - Kansas City 7 - Seattle NL WEST 1- Pittsburgh 1- Los Angeles 2 - Philadelphia 2 - Atlanta 3 - Montreal 3 - San Diego ----- (1: -.-St: Louis --4----Houston--- 5 - Chicago 5 - San Francisco 6 - New York 6 - Cincinnati Why Montreal and Toronto won't do it The Toronto Blue Jays will definitely improve this season but they are still a few players away from being in the World Series. The lack of a proven left-handed starter may be the biggest problem the Jays will have. Dave Stieb, Jim Clancy, Luis Leal, Doyle__ Alexander_aad_Jim .-Gott__ should provide Toronto with one of the best starting rotatiops in the league. The lack of a solid left-handed starter will keep them from being the best. (Baltimore will be numero uno in that department). The Blue Jays picked up a pair of much needeci'eeIievers inihe r5ff-season`a'nddthtS "year'be an"exception?—too a Expos should help the team considerably.. to finish in the same position as the Blue Righthander Dennis Lamp and Lefty Bryan Jays - third in their division. NHL playoff prediction Rangers at Islanders The regular" season battle of New York was won by the Rangers, .who won four in the seven game series. However, the 'Rangers seemed to drop like flies in the second half of the season as they slid from first to fourth place. The Islanders enter the -.playoffs with no; injuries and have rested several key players. Series winner- Islanders • Capitals at Flyers This will be one of the best match ups the league and it will be a shame to see, one of these teams eliminated. Washington came on strong in the second half of the season and finished with the best goals - against record in the league. Philadelphia has performed well over the last half of the season and also did well in the -defensive category. The difference in this series will be defense and either way it's sliced, Washington comes up with the biggest piece .of the pie. Series winner - Capitals (in a dog fight) Canadiens at Bruins The Bruins came on like gang -busters in the final two weeks of the season to capture first place in the Adams Division. They did it with a lot of guts and determination. During the regular season, Boston dominated Montreal by winning six of eight games. Playoff hockey will be different though and Montreal will make a determined effort to lift the playoff goat image, which has haunted them since 1979. Series winner - Bruins Nordiques at Sabres Quebec is a team everybody is picking to pull an upset this year and this series gives them a good place to start. Buffalo ended the season on a low note by letting first place slip from their grasp. Quebec had Buffalo's number all season and won six of the eight games between the two clubs. The superb goaltending of Dan Bouchard has removed the weak label that has been put on the Nordiques defensive record. This series could feature a major upset. Series winner - Quebec, Jets at Oilers Edmonton should cut through the meagre Smythe Division competition like a knife through butter. The closest the Jets will come to the Oilers is when the national anthem is being played. Series winner Oilers (without a drop of sweat) Canucks at Flames This serkes is about as evenly matched as you can get. Both teams are no threat to go anywhere this season. Vancouver's toughness may give them a slight advantage. Series winner- Canueks (on a coin toss) Hawks at Stars Minnesota should swat the undeserving Hawks quickly out of this series. Although Minnesota goaltender Gilles Meloche is injured, the Stars should be able to blast the Hawks away in every other department. Series winner - Stars Wings at Blues I'm going against the odds and picking St. Louis to knock off the pesky Red Wings in this encounter. Home ice could be a key for the Blues and if they jet goaltending from Mike Liut, a series win will come without question. Series winners - Blues Junior C winners Ron Jewitt won the Clinton Junior C 300 Booster Club's March draw of $100. The April winners of the draw were Wanda VanLoo and Diana Finch who split a ticket. St. Marys hockey team pays off some of loan ST. MARYS - The Junior B Lincolns Booster Club handed town council a cheque for $3,000 recently in partial payment of $15,000 loan which the Lincoln's hockey club owed to the town. The $15,000 loan had been extended to the club by the town council at the start of this year's ,hockey season. The agreement was • that the, club would pay -back $7511 twice a year until the debt is paid off. But toliowing a very successful hockey season in which the Junior B team made it to the playoffs, Arnold Vannatter was able to hand over a $3,000 cheque to Mayor Gerry Teahen. Lincoln treasurer Bruce Graham told council the booster club had raised more than $20,000 to wind up with $14,000 after expenses. The -booster club leas already given $11,000 to the hockey club, he said. VANASTRA RECREATION C CENTRE SPRING PROGRAM '84 April 9'84 to June 16'84 Phone 482-3344 to REGISTER NOWI .Call Today Spots Still Available In The Following Programs ❑ SWIM CLASSES ❑ FITNESS CLASSES ❑ TRIM -A -SIZE ❑ `PRE -POST NATAL FITNESS, ❑ BACK CARE For Moro Information 482- 3544 C lintoClinton Peewees win WINGHAM - The ChntonPeewees captured the Western Ontario Athletic Association (WOAA) `fC" Championship with a 5-3 win over Wingham last Friday night. Clinton swept the best ofFthree affair intwo games. "The kids got.a big thrill out of it. We're disappointed at not *inning the all-ontario championships but this is the next best," Coach Greg Burns said. Derek Jefferson notched two goals, Devon Colquhoun, Norris Flynn and Steve Vandendool added one goal for the championship Clinton crew. On Tuesday night at home, Clinton hammered Wingham 6-1. Devon Colquhoun was. the big guns firing (ow goals. Derek Jefferson scored twice. The team ended their season with an impressive 33-74 record. The statistic includes regular season games, tournaments and playoffs. Dads vs. the kids The hockey fathers battled the Peewee players in an exhibition games and according to sources, taught the kids a real lesson. Congratulations kids on a wonderful season. soesates,le susuece e SUZU cr SUZU,C9 SUZUKI SUZUKI QUADRUNNERS LT25OE On Special This Week Clinton Arena Manager Clarence Neilans turned off the ice machine for the final time in his career on Monday. This will be the last time Clarence will be involved in the ice removal procedure as he is retiring in the fall. (Rod Hilts photo) KARATE Introductory Course ADULTS: Monday 7:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m. Wednesday 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Children's Class Monday 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Ages 6 years and up) REGISTRATION Monday April 16th, at 6 p.m. Goderich Township Hall (Holmesville) For Information call - 482-3634 Excellent Fitness & Defense Training for Mon, Women and Children. The Farmin' 4 whee ers from Suzuki and HuIIy Gully mean more work done much easier. CHECK THESE FEATURES •- High and Low gear range • Reverse • Strong high torque engines 8 • Safe, stable - easy to balance WE OFFER EXCLUSIVE • While you wait service • Overnight ports delivery Direct to your farm • .Less down time:for you WE HAVE _The ;brand new big, brawny •,.LT -250 quadrunner. 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