Monday, March 12,1984 — 9 s p o r t s Mark Allan, sports editor. 562*2441. Thr C itiz e n

MANITOBA RINK TO SILVER BROOM Riley masters Werenich in Brier fina VICTORIA (CP) — Three times lucky was not an ap­ Dobson of New Brunswick and Gary Bryden of Sas­been intimidated by more experienced teams such as plicable adage Sunday for Ed Werenich. katchewan, then eliminated Alberta’s Ed Lukowich in a Werenich’s. The veteran Ontario skip was looking for his first vic­ semi-final Saturday. “ I’m really looking forward to Duluth. It’ll probably tory in three meetings this year against Mike Riley’s Riley beat Werenich in a cashspiel earlier in the sea­ be the first time we’ve gone into a tournament as fa­ Manitoba kingpins. son and won 7-4 in their round-robin play here. vorites. It wasn’t to be as the veteran Winnipeg skip directed Werenich, 35, a Toronto fireman, looked up at Riley “ I don’t know how that will affect us. We weren’t the a 7-4 assault of the Werenich team from Toronto to winduring the closing ceremony and warned gooid-natured-favorites here. We weren’t the favorites from the begin­ the province’s 22nd Canadian men’s curling champion­ly it wouldn’t happen a fourth time. ning because we’re a first-year team. But we always ship. He won’t get another opportunity to meet the Win­knew if we continued playing the way we were we’d be Urged on by 500 Manitobans in the 4,500-seat Memori­nipeg team this year. Riley has no more big games for right up there.” al Arena, among them three planeloads from the Bran­ his crew until the world championship in Duluth, Minn., Riley said being a darkhorse entry at the start of the don district, Riley and his teammates took the advan­ April 2 to 8. week didn’t hurt his team. tage early and never let the defending Labatt Brier and “ We’ll go out and throw a few rocks, but no more big“ It’s a nice feeling to be in the background. A ll the world champions off the hook. games,” said the 40-year-old investment counsellor. attention was on everybody else.” The little-known Winnipeg rink, which included third Reminded that the last two Manitoba rinks to go to While many of the skips anticipated Riley’s rink Brian Toews, second John Helston and lead Russ Woo-the world championships — Kerry Burtnyk in 1981 and would be at a disadvantage against the semi-final win­ key, came quietly out of the pack midway through the Barry Fry in 1979 — had flopped, Riley said their re­ ner, who had played on the centre ice sheet Saturday, Mike Riley (centre) and teammate John Helston 12-rink, round-robin competition to clinch first placesults at didn’t put any pressure on him. Riley said the rest day didn’t hurt his team mentally or raise their brooms in triumph as Ed Werenich the end of 15 draws Friday afternoon. “ They didn’t win it,” he admitted. “ This time maybe physically. watches mournfully. Werenich stumbled through a 1-3 start to win nine ofwe’ll win it.” “ One day of not playing and relaxing did us more his next 10 games, including the playoffs. He squeaked Riley said the Manitoban champs have played with good than anything else. When you get down to the finalWerenich said his rink, on the basis of its play this into the tiebreaker round with a 7-4 record, beat Am ie confidence all year, one of the reasons they haven’t it’s a 50-50 chance of winning. week, didn’t deserve to be in the championship game. Handball title on special day by MARK ALLAN Duncan Werbecky battled back Sports editor from a 9-5 deficit in a tiebreaker to A day often filled with trauma be­ outlast Kevin Conway of New West­ came a day of triumph Sunday for minster 11-9 in the B final. Werbe­ Danny Thibert at the B.C. closed cky, ecstatic with his championship, handball championships. has been playing handball only a Playing at the Prince George YM- couple of years. YWCA on his 30th birthday, the Gerry Peckham downed Rod Koh- fourth-seeded Thibert overcame fel­ len in the all-Prince George B conso­ low Vancouverite Jeff Wilson 19-21,lation. 21-11,11-7 to win the men’s open sin­ Defending Canadian masters gles championship. The lanky cham­ champion Dave Ross of New West­ pion built an 8-1 lead in the tiebreak­minster took Bob Wilson in the 40- er and held on against the shorter and-older division, with Peter Wilson, his junior by 10 years. Bryant of New Westminster downing Thibert, who upset defending Dave Jenkins of Prince George in champion and number one seedthe consolation. Keith Gracey of New Westminster In C, Brian Lanz of New Westmin­ 11-7 in a semi-final tiebreaker Satur­ ster beat Phil Delgiglio of North day, almost didn’t enter singles. He Vancouver and Kelly Smith of North originally intended to enter onlyVancouver defeated Bob Gibb of open doubles to defend the title he Williams Lake in the consolation. and partner Larry Mamoser won Ian Ross of New Westminster beat last year. Stan Saki in the 15-and-younger jun­ Mamoser and Thibert were elimi­ ior final, with Jim Harrington win­ nated from doubles Sunday morningning the consolation. Tyler Hamel and Thibert subsequently was de­ took the 13-and-younger title by de­ lighted he’d entered singles, an feating Kirby Fisher and Tim Dunk- event he really started to feel he ley won the consolation. could win when he toppled Gracey. Vicki Brown of North Vancouver “ After beating Keith I figured I beat was the women’s champion, with the number one player in the tour­Debbie Carmichael runner-up and nament.” Janet Doknick the consolation win­ ner. His wins against Wilson and the Stuart Antonenko got the novice ti­ 24-year-old Gracey were his firs t tle with a win against Steve Syoie against them in tournament playand Richard Ryan downed Hank and Thibert admits he was more de­ Baker in the consolation. termined than usual, because of his A1 Husband and Stan Jontz de­ relatively advanced age. “ These feated George Guy and Lloyd Clav kids are so young and this might befor the golden masters title, ah my last chance.” event that was held largely for “ You can’t win them a ll” and “ he Jontz’ benefit. A Victoria resident (Thibert) was the better player now, Jontz is credited with starting yesterday (Saturday)” were some of handball in Prince George. Gracey’s comments about his semi­ B— — — — MB— M—8MTTTTWMiana) final upset loss. Gracey has won three provincial singles champion­ ships, including last year. Witherspoon Jim G riffin of Vancouver won the open consolation title. wins but loses Bill Johnson (centre) celebrates his win, while runner-up Helmet Hoeflehner (left) of Austria and third-place Pirmin Zurbriggen Wilson of didn’t do any better in the LAS VEGAS (AP) — Boxer Tim Switzerland spectate. open doubles final as he and his fa­Witherspoon spent some expensive ther Bob fell 21-12, 21-16 to George time in the ring Friday night while Sauve of Prince George and Craighe was winning the world heavy Kulch of Vancouver. The consolation weight boxing championship. was won by Mel Brown of North Metro police Lieut. Wilbur Jack­ Acrobatic Johnson wins at Whistler Vancouver and Bill Adams of North son said while Witherspoon was Vancouver. WHISTLER, B.C. (CP) - B ill Johnson has be­ out and won three in a row like I have.” course. Podborski ended his career with eight Meanwhile, another Prince George fighting Greg Page, someone bur­ come America’s hero in downhill ski racing. Johnson, the 1984 Olympic champion, won World his Cup victories and the 1982 World Cupplayer qualified to go to the Cana­glarized his hotel room and made off The brash 23-year-old from Van Nuys, Calif., third World Cup downhill of the season with a downhill championship. dian championships in Quebec Citywith $31,000 worth of jewelry. likes to have fun and put on a show for spectac-time o f two minutes, 2.85 seconds. Johnson hadGary Athans of Kelowna who finished 11th a in May. tors. earlier won at Wengen, Switzerland, and lastweek earlier at Aspen, was a disappointed 34th at “ I felt good all the way down even though I wasweekend at Aspen, Colo. Whistler in 2:07.45. doing a few acrobatics off the bumps,” JohnsonHe was well ahead of second-place Hemlut Hoe­ Paul Boivin of Montreal, who fell during the said Sunday after winning his second straightflehner of Austria in 2:03.17 and Pirmin Zubrigginfirst training run, was the third-best Canadian by race at the Molson World Downhill on Whistler of Switzerland in 2:03.18. finishing 25th in 2:06.25. Chris Kent of Calgary Mountain. was 28th in 2:06.63, Felix Belczyk of Castlegar Brooker, with two second-place World Cup fin­ was 33rd in 2:07.27 and Robin MacLeish of Kana- m “ I kept it together and kept the skis rolling. Iishes this season, was looking to end his injury- ta, Ont., was 35th in 2:07.55. V. was pretty loose. I was putting on a world showplagued season with a victory when he started Peter Mueller of Switzerland, who won a World and having some fun.” from the number one position. His time lasted Cup race in 1982 on the slower north course at Johnson said his victory, despite starting out onlyof one racer when Hoeflehner had a brilliant Whistler, was sixth on the faster west course in the top seeds at 18th, should end any doubts aboutrun. G et ready fo r 2:03.86, followed by Heinzer in 2:03.90. his stature among the world’s top racers. Podborski, who battled the ‘flu earlier in the The U.S. downhill team was celebrating John­ spring & sum m er “ I think everybody respects what I ’ve done in week, wanted to end his career with a victory, son’s victory when American Doug Lewis, start­ the last four weeks,” he said. “ No one has gone but was much too slow on the top part of ing the 32nd, crossed the finish line in 2:04.50 ford r i v i n g . . . eighth place. B r i n g y o u r Klammer, who also might retire, was 10th in 2:04.84, behind Klaus Gattermann of West Germa­ vehicle in now. M ohaw ks' patience gone ny, ninth in 2:04.68. Resch was one of three racers to fall. The oth­ “ They’ve tried to push us around long enough.George goals each game and who leads in team ers were Michael Mair of Italy and Leonard Stock FRONT HUB & BEARING REPACK We finally showed Quesnel we wouldn’t be pushedplayoff scoring with nine goals and five assistsof in Austria. around.” four games, was followed Saturday with goals by 2 Wheel Drive & 4 Wheel Drive Prince George Mohawk coach B ill Crossan indi­teammates Wes Scott, Lyn Doudiet and Grant DOMESTIC MODELS cated Sunday night his team is mad and isn’t Williams. 4 WHEEL DRIVE 2 WHEEL DRIVE going to take it anymore from the Quesnel Kan­Quesnel, which ended the scoring into an empty Intermediate garoos. net, had two goals each from B ill Roach, Terry The Kangaroos downed the visiting Mohawks 8-Shaw and Ken Gassoff, with singles by Lyle Inglis RACQUETBALL $ 6 9 95~ .» . * 3 9 9 5 p 5 Saturday and 7-3 Sunday to take a 2-0 lead in and Glen Watson. Plus Parts their best-of-seven Cariboo Hockey League final The score was 2-2 after one period and 6-3 for CLINIC but Crossan believes, “ we came o f age as a hock­Quesnel after two. The Kangaroos fired 50 shots Includes inspection of steering linkage, front brakes & shocks. Offer ey club” when the Mohawks battled the Kanga­ at Prince George goalie Brian Bernard and the Co-ed effective March 12 to March 30, 1984. Phone for appointment. roos after only 52 seconds of Sunday's game. Mohawks had 37 shots on goal. MARCH 15, 1984 The main events featured Prince George defen- “ We had our chances,” sighs Crossan. who says ceman Matt Howes challenging Quesnel toughSteams, Daryl Cherry and Terry Baratta all mis­ Thursday guy Brad Gassoff and Mohawk defenceman Blair sed open nets. Williams, whom Crossan insists 8:15 -10:15 p.m. P lu s Fraser fighting Jim Marsh. Crossan indicates was “ the best player on the ice,” fought Brad T Members FREE Fraser was a clear winner against Marsh and Gassoff. Authorized Ford Remanufactured claims Howes took a narrow decision from Gas­Crossan concedes the Mohawks didn’t have Non-members Engines, including imports installed... soff but says that’s not the point. enough depth Sunday after its opening five skat­ $7.00 Please phone our Service "Enough is enough,” maintains Crossan, ers who were ejected. Dept, for further details. claims the Kangaroos tried to “ run us out of thePat Keough had the other Prince George goal Instructors: rink” . Sunday, while Len Dies had two for the Kanga­ Gord Wilkinson and Wayne Shrigley The series continues at the Prince George Coli­roos. Other Quesnel scorers were Don Gook, Tim Must have at least one year seum Tuesday at 9 p.m. and Thursday night at 8, Kirkham, Roach, Garry Gassoff and Inglis. playing experience. For appointment call 564-1133. with Crossan warning the Mohawks will meet any Quesnel, which directed 53 shots at Bernard, Open Mon.-Fri. 8-5:30, ISSB strongarm Quesnel tactics with more of the same. held period leads of 1-0 and 4-1. But certain facts remain unchanged — the Kan­ Wayne Holmes of Quesnel got a match penalty Register Now At garoos have Prince George in a hole. “ I thoughtfor butt-ending Sunday and misses an automatic The YM-YWCA i» F R E D WALLS & SON LTD that Saturday night was a game we had to win three games. Brad Crossan of the Mohawks is eli­ and I’m disappointed we didn't,” explainsgible to return Thursday after getting a match for 2020 Massey Drive 3900 WALLS AVL (Foot of Peden Hill on Highway 16 West) Crossan. spearing in a semi-final victory against the Van­ ▼ 562-9341 Dan Stearns, who scored the first two Prince derhoof Flyers two weekends ago.