Œfje Canabian Statesman ♦ February 2, 2005 ♦ durhamregion.com Clarington lacrosse fcv*! / program Brian McNair expanding Berti Girls and rep field among additions to - needs minor association to step BY BRAD KELLY it up for Sports Editor CLARINGTON — Clarington Minor Lacrosse Association president Charlie Generals Simpson is expecting another increase at this weekend’s first of two registrations, [•M-*Ü1 ?•'•■>; V-W#' and not just based on the fact that the . Adam Berti needs someone to kick a ÉÉT' sport is gaining in popularity with the little sand in his face. male gender. • Here goes. The organization is intending to run a • It’s not that Berti is having a poor girls’ box lacrosse program this season if season for the Oshawa Generals; after registration warrants, with divisions split qll, he will represent the team at the up for ages 9-12 and 13-15. all-star game in Owen Sound Wednes­ “We decided, what the heck? Let’s day. make a league, put it out there and see It’s just not as good as it should be Ron Pietroniro/The Canadian Statesman who comes,” says Simpson of initiating considering his wide array of skills. Paul Michael Rivest (18) of the Bowmanville Eagles tries to tip a shot past Bancroft Hawks goalie Vince Wheeler the new pro ­ This is a player who should be mak­ during Sunday’s 4-1 win. Tonight, the Eagles host the Wellington Dukes in a game that could decide second place gram. ing an impact every game and, occa­ in the East Conference. Innocent dis- ^ sionally, tossing thè team on his broad eussions with a shoulders and carrying it to victory on Toronto league his own. once a month Ul " With the exception of a brief spell at some zone M~$ '.When GM Brad Selwood served as meetings last interim coach — a period that saw , year prompted him score seven of his 16 goals in just the Clarington four games — that simply hasn’t hap ­ association Registration will pened. Showdownto examine the be held Saturday , " It’s hard to be too critical. After all, possibility of a and Sunday from ;he’s just 18-years-old, has endured Bowmanville Eagles girls’ program. 10a.m. to6 p.m. at' [several injuries in his OHL career, The race for second With support the Garnet B. Rickard including two serious knee operations ready to host the Team GP W L T OTL Pts. from the Ontar­ Recreation Complex that limited his rookie season to just 15 Wellington Dukes io Lacrosse games, and has the added pressure of Port Hope 45 34 '5 3 , 3 74 Association, a provincial championship is playing in his hometown. Jr. A in clash for second Bowmanville 46 33 10 3 0 69 planned, with other centres in Hamilton, But, this is also a young man who East Peterborough and another near Ottawa is wearing an ‘A’ on his jersey and BY BRAD KELLY Wellington 46 32 11 . 2 1 67 expressing an interest in competing. who has a legitimate shot at a Nation­ Conference ...Sports. Editor_ w, - « .'-vsrr: * •••-: •. Cobourg ' 47-' 28 14 '■1" 61 Last year Clarington had 570 play­ al Hockey League career after being ers registered, and are “expecting an ~ yv.-'3^: 53 drafted in the third round by the Chi­ Kingston 47 23 17 increase. If the girls’ program catches BOWMANVILLE — In a one-game cago Blackhawks. Trenton 46 .21 19 4 2 48 on, there will be a big increase,” predicts He’s simply can’t go three straight showdown back in March, it was the Bow­ 4 36 Simpson. games without earning a point, as manville Eagles who bested the Welling­ Lindsay 46. 15 25 2 ■ Clarington will also be home to a rep ton Dukes to claim the Eastern Conference he did this past weekend. And he Peterborough 46 15 26 3 2 35 field lacrosse program this season in shouldn ’t have just three points in the championship in a thrilling seven-game the novice, peewee, bantam and midget 8 34 2 3 21 past 10, especially during a period in series. Bancroft 47 age levels, with one rep team for each . While tonight’s game between the same . which his team is struggling so badly. Syracuse 46 7 33 3 3 20 age division. The abbreviated schedule His coaches expect more. He should clubs at the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation will run from late-April to the end of expect more. Complex at 7:30 p.m. might not carry the REMAINING GAMES IN THE RACE FOR SECOND May, with games played in a tournament “He’s a big man and he skates really same magnitude as that do-or-die playoff format on weekends and practices held game in Wellington, it could ultimately well and he’s got some pretty good Tonight - Wellington at Bowmanville, 7:30 p.m. through the week. The field season will carry the same significance down the road skills as well,” says current coach Friday - Bancroft at Wellington, 7:30 p.m. overlap with the box season, which has Randy Ladouceur. if both teams advance through to the sec­ been a “huge headache ” to try to schedule ond round of playoffs in the Provincial Bowmanville at Syracuse, 7:30 p.m. “If he could find that consistency in around, says Simpson. Junior A Hockey League. Saturday - Wellington at Bancroft, 7:30 p.m. his game that our whole team is look­ Sunday - Port Hope at Bowmanville, 2:30 p.m. “We want to make sure, anyone who ing for, there’s a guy who’s got the The Eagles (33-10-3-0) are two points up wants to play field doesn’t have any whole package. You would have a lot on the Dukes (32-11-2-1) for second place conflicts,” with the box program, he says in the East Conference standings, and each season, so it would be nice to get one in earned a lot of respect the last two years,” of scouts and general managers drool ­ says Hodgins about his team’s climb to the of trying to be as accommodating as pos ­ ing if Adam could bring his ‘A’ game team has three games remaining before the our bam.” ’ Indeed, Wellington has won two previ ­ top. “It’s nice to be mentioned in the same sible. every night.” regular season closes out on Sunday. The box program will also expand if the As it stands now, if all goes according ous meetings in Bowmanville, 3-2 and breath as a Wellington or the perennial Berti seems to be at his best.when- strong teams. That’s what we are aiming numbers support it, with plans for two rep . ever he is challenged, on the ice. to script in the first round of playoffs, it 1-0, the latter breaking a 12-game winning streak the Eagles were riding in December. for here and we’re happy we’ve achieved teams in paperweight, novice, peewee • In Sarnia back on Nov. 5, he made would provide a playoff rematch between and bantam, with a new midget age level the rival clubs, this time in the semifinals. The trend has been the reverse in Wel­ it. short order of Kelsey Wilson in a fight “We have a lot of respect for Wellington, added to the mix. four seconds into the game, and then And while home ice didn ’t ultimately lington, with the Eagles winning a pair of 3-2 games and dropping a 4-2 decision. To but we aren’t intimidated like we were Players who make the number one had a three-point night in a 4-2 win. decide last year’s outcome, there is a rep team in each level will no longer be certain comfort level in gaining the extra sum up, the road team holds a 4-1 advan ­ before. The game used to be over before This is not to suggest Berti should you played Wellington. We know we can required to play house league and will be fighting every night, although that game in your own bam. tage in'the regular season series, so maybe home ice isn’t such a big deal. compete with them and it should be a heck remain in the rep stream only, with the would be a frightful thought for oppos ­ But the hype for tonight’s game may exception of paperweight. be restricted to the fans and media. Both Not so fast. of a game.” ing teams. THE SCOOP — Goaltender. Dan Players also have the option of playing •What he needs to do, however, is coach Curtis Hodgins and captain Kyle “It’s huge,” says Branson of having that extra game, if needed, in your back pocket. Goulding, who was injured in the league’s both box and field at the rep level, or just make the most of his brawny 6-foot-3 Branson were trying to protect against, one if they prefer. Of course, those that dubbing the game a make-or-break for the “Especially with a young team like ours. all-star game last week, is listed as day-to- frame. day. “If he’s healthy he’ll play,” tonight just want to play house league, which season. Any team is more comfortable playing at Get mad every once in awhile. against Wellington, coach Curtis Hodgins runs from mid-April to the end of June, ' Bob McGill, who was fired as coach • “It’s certainly important and both teams home. It’s a different atmosphere at home and guys are more relaxed.