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BROKERAGE Sports INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email [email protected] • WEDNESDAY,APRIL 16, 2008 39

MICHAEL IVANIN / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER NUMBER ONE: Members of the gather with team owner Gary Tune (left) Sunday to celebrate the club’s first-ever Provincial Junior A Hockey League championship. Oakville Blades headed CHAMPIONSCHAMPIONS to ■ By Jon Kuiperij Lachaine, who passed away suddenly earlier give it to him and do this for him,” said victories), they always seemed in control of BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR this season at the age of 78. Corbeil. their opponents. Oakville won the opening “When he passed away, we lost a big part “It’s sad (the Blades couldn’t win the contest in all four of its series, never lost s they steamrolled their way through of our family. I think that brought us closer league title while Lachaine was still alive), consecutive games, never trailed in a series the Provincial Junior A together as a team,” Coccimiglio said. “We but I don’t know if we would have been here and never faced elimination. A Hockey League playoffs, it seemed at had (Jean) on our side.” if we didn’t have that inspiration. He really “People underestimated us a bit, I times as though the Oakville Blades were Blades captain inspired us, and with adversity comes moti- thought,” said Blades netminder Scott playing with too many men on the ice. Chris Corbeil’s eyes vation. I touch Jeanny’s picture before we go Greenham, owner of a 16-5 record, 2.15 Perhaps, from an emotional and motiva- welled up with tears out (on the ice) every time.” goals-against average and .933 save percent- tional standpoint, they actually were. several times as he Lachaine was the main motivating factor age in the playoffs. “Personally, I don’t think The Blades completed their impressive recalled the contribu- for the Blades this season, but he wasn’t the there is a team we played that was better run to their first-ever league title Sunday at tions Lachaine made only one. The team was also determined to than us at all. We did not get lucky with Joshua’s Creek Arenas, blitzing the to the team over the go far this season for fallen teammate these wins.” 6-3 to claim the champi- years. Domenic Monardo (story, page 40) and Markham proved to be little more than a onship series in five games. Oakville will “The number of owner Gary Tune. speed bump in the final, particularly in the represent the OPJHL, along with the host Jean Lachaine hours and the amount “Gary has supported this organization for games at Joshua’s Creek Arenas. The Blades , at next week’s of work he put in five or six years and treated these boys with scored six goals in each of the three contests Dudley Hewitt Cup, where the Blades will behind the scenes, people will never know. a lot of respect,” said Coccimiglio. “These played in Oakville, chasing Waxers starting also compete with the Sudbury Junior He was here before any of us showed up, and boys are lucky to have what he’s offered. The goaltender Kyle Rank in all of them. Wolves and for a berth in left later than any of us. Practices, games, players wanted to give this to him for all his The fourth game of the series, played the RBC Royal Bank Cup national champi- everything. Washing our equipment, mak- hard work, and he finally got rewarded.” Friday in Markham, probably went the fur- onship tournament. ing sure the Gatorade was ready, making thest in breaking the spirit of the Waxers. Always in control of opponents Oakville head coach Carlo Coccimiglio sure the board for practices was cleaned off... Markham peppered Greenham — and back- and his players dedicated their Frank R. it’s simple little stuff that makes a difference, While the Blades didn’t dominate every up Oliver Wren, who came in for the final Buckland Trophy win to former long-time stuff that lightens the load for myself and game in the playoffs (six of their 16 wins 2:37 of regulation — with 48 shots, but was assistant equipment manager Jean the coaching staff. It’s great to be able to came by one goal, including two overtime ■ See Blades page 40