16 Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, October 11, 2006 SPORTS & LEISURE Acton native Kosziwka helps Derbys trim Raiders EAMONN MAHER “When the season started we had pret- Staff Writer ty low expectations because we have such a young team and so the focus was more on developing players, but now we realize As one of only a couple of players on we can win too,” said the Acton High the rebuilding Streetsville Derbys who had School OAC student, an aspiring MBA any prior Jr. A experience heading into grad and accountant who was the this season, Limehouse resident Mike Bearcats’ male athlete of the year for 2005- Kosziwka wasn’t exactly predicting his 06. “We got creamed in our first exhibi- new club would be a contender for an tion game and I thought, ‘Oh no,’ but the OHA Provincial Jr. A Hockey season started and the team’s League title in 2006-07. been on fire ever since. It’s been After bouncing from pleasantly surprising.” Orangeville to Georgetown and A product of the Halton to Wexford last year, the 18- Hurricanes’ minor hockey sys- year-old Kosziwka was just tem, Kosziwka won an Ontario looking for a full-time spot on a championship in badminton roster, and Streetsville, which with mixed doubles partner Georgetown Raider forward Ryan Ford can’t get to this pass out from the corner returned no players from its Melissa Bigg in May, and also led and Streetsville’s Sean Teakle (27) gladly scoops up the loose puck during an Royal Bank Cup team from this the Bearcats to the OFSAA finals OPJAHL contest Sunday afternoon at the Vic Johnston Community Centre. The past spring, underwent an own- MIKE in volleyball, although he had to Raiders came back from a 3-0 deficit to earn a point, only to lose on a Derby power ership change and complete KOSZiWKA give up the latter this fall due to play goal in overtime. Photo by Eamonn Maher organizational facelift. his Derby commitments. He Today, Kosziwka couldn’t be would like to continue playing hockey which employs Kosziwka on the point, The Raiders also picked up another happier as the Derbys have been a surprise next year at university, possibly south of scored three times in each contest, includ- defenceman this week, acquiring 6-foot-4, team so far in the Western Conference the border. ing the winner in OT Sunday with 210-pound Peter Mrksic, an 18-year-old with a 6-3-2-0 record, and the 6-foot-2, “I’m looking for a scholarship and Georgetown’s Ryan Ford in the penalty from Hamilton who began this season 175-pound forward is the team’s leading we’ve had some interest from some U.S. box for cross-checking, just after team- with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. scorer with seven goals and eight assists in schools,” he added. “I just have to keep it mate Kyle Scwhende had equalized on a Coming up this week, the Raiders will 11 games. He set up two goals in a 4-4 tie up and by Christmas hopefully there’ll be brilliant effort from his knees with less be in Oakville Friday to take on the at second-place Georgetown on Saturday, something more out there than an offer.” than a minute left in the third period. defending West Conference-champion and while he didn’t hit the scoresheet in a In both weekend tilts, the 8-1-1-1 Matt Carter and Jon Southgate also Blades and then host Bramalea at the 4-3 overtime Streetsville victory on Raiders fell behind 3-1 after the first peri- scored for Georgetown on Sunday, with Mold-Masters SportsPlex Saturday begin- Sunday, Kosziwka played responsibly in od and needed late rallies to tie, despite Schwende, Ford, Jonathan Quarrie and ning at 7:30 p.m. his own zone, like most of his hard-work- once again outshooting their opponent by captain Wade Finegan tallying in (Eamonn Maher can be reached at ing, if inexperienced, Derby teammates. a wide margin. Streetsville’s power play, Saturday’s home draw. [email protected]) Trying it Rep hockey roundup on for size Good start for bantams The Georgetown Bantam AA Raiders won their first two regular season games and were silver medalists at the Kawartha Lakes Early Bird Tournament in Peterborough. Former Toronto Blue Jay player Regular season: Jesse Barfield lets James Clark, Georgetown 6, Guelph 2 7, try on his World Series ring at Georgetown 3, Milton 1 the Gellert Centre recently. Kawartha Lakes tourney: Barfield was supposed to hold a Preliminary round— Peterborough 3, youth hitting clinic, but unfortu- Georgetown 0 nately rain forced the event inside. Georgetown 5, Flamborough 3 Georgetown 4, Humberview 2 Semi-final-—Georgetown 4, Mississauga 2 Championship— Toronto East Enders 2, Georgetown 1 (OT) Photo by Sabrina Byrnes Scorers— Todd Bannerman (3G, 3A); Ian McCrae, Cory Williams (3G, 2A); Stan Gaweda See PEEWEE, pg. 17 GEORGETOWN JUNIOR “A” GEORGETOWN JR. A RAIDERS RAIDERSvs GEORGETOWN BRAMALEA BLUES TOYOTA Saturday, October 14, 2006 Call Star Phone! 7:30 pm 416-350-3000 Category 2093 Mold-Masters SportsPlex (Alcott Arena) for up to the minute League Game Results GAME OF THE WEEK and Special League Announcements.