SPORTS Editor: Norm Nelson Phone: 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: [email protected] W mNKSDAY. APKIL2. 2(XO • |>c|g<’ Dl fropnX"usss Tyke Rangers win championship When the going gets tough, the Oakville Rangers tyke west hockey team gets going. and Canada After absorbing a tough opening overtime loss to the Burlington Eagles, the Rangers fought back with back-to- in Oakville back victories to win the best-of-three, tri-county champi­ onship series. Here’s the recap: this weekend (Burlington 5, Oakville 4 OT - game one) If the hometown Rangers had any questions about whether Maplegrove Arena, safe to say, has Burlington would come to play, they were erased in the first probably never hosted such a huge event five minutes, as the Eagles stormed the Oakville net and as this weekend's Canada Cup and popped in three quick goals to shock the hosts. Oakville, to provincial championship trampoline and their credit, erased deficits of 3-0 and 4-1 to send the game tumbling meet. into overtime. But Burlington prevailed on a beautiful shot Gymnastics Ontario has declared this the largest trampoline and tumbling under the cross bar. Oakville goals were scored by Conor meet in North America. McGlynn (2), Danny Beaver and Cole Cassels. Kamil Hosted by the Oakville Gymnastics Tkaczuk earned an assist. Club, it runs Friday through Sunday. (Oakville 2, Burlington 0 - game two) It is expected to attract more than 300 With their backs against the wall, the Rangers came out of Canada’s top athletes as well as 200 strong in game 2, but so did the host Eagles. Exciting passing athletes from the United States. and great stops at both ends kept the game scoreless through The number of clubs include 42 from two periods, and the game was looking for a third period Ontario, 30 from the U.S.. seven from hero. As he has done all year, slick skating Kamil Tkaczuk Quebec, five from Alberta and four from converted a three way passing play (assists to Ryan Toor and British Columbia. Ryan McNeely) by bursting past the Burlington defenders The excitement of watching these and burying a shot to the far comer. Only minutes later, Sam skilled athletes tly through the air will Hisey burst down the opposite wing and tucked in a nifty mesmerize young and old. deke (assists to Conor McGlynn and Kamil Tkaczuk) to put The program includes power tum­ the game out of reach. The steady play of the Rangers defen­ bling. trampoline, double mini trampo­ sive corps of Mitchell Cowbum, Jackson Hulbert, Justin line and synchronized trampoline. Martin, Matthew Little, Rhys Maguire and Tkaczuk helped Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for goalie Matthew Kaslik secure the shutout, and send the series students and seniors. to a deciding game. The Oakville Gymnastics Club, in (Oakville 6, Burlington 1 - game three) cooperation with Gymnastics Ontario, The final score of the decisive game was not indicative of Gymnastics Canada and the Town of the play, as the teams were deadlocked in a 1-1 tie late in the Oakville, is running the event. second period. Danny Beaver opened the scoring in the first, This prestigious event will be man­ but Burlington replied on a power play, and the teams traded aged by meet director Cathy Brasil and opportunities to break the tie. her dedicated team of club volunteers. Once again, Kamil Tkaczuk’s speed proved too much for The Oakville Gymnastics Club is a not-for-profit organization with a rich the Eagles defence, and he put the eventual game winner high 28-year history of providing quality over the goalie’s shoulder. Oakville kept up the offensive gymnastic programs in the community. attack, and when Conor McGlynn (assist to Samuel Hisey) The club’s recreation program runs poked in a loose puck from the goal mouth, the boys could seven days a week with 3.000 young , taste victory. Cole Cassels (assist to Conor McGlynn) added gymnastic enthusiasts. a single, and Danny Beaver completed a hat-trick with a The competitive program has 110 shorthanded tally to finish the scoring. Hunter Swain shut the participants. door on Burlington in the third period, and the championship “We appreciate the assistance of the celebration was on! town of Oakville, our major sponsor (Thanks) Winning Colors and our many loyal The boys and parents wish to thank the team staff of Ken local sponsors for their support," said Hisey, Dean DeFazio, Mark Hisey, Matt Swain and Herb club general manager Wayne Hussey. Toor for their dedication and leadership this season. ‘‘These proud corporate citizens Without lead sponsors Crave Entertainment, Tim Hortons. understand that the youth of our com­ Tykir and Ekco, such a memorable season would not have munity greatly benefit by participating been possible. in gymnastic activities.” The champs are: Matthew Kaslik, Mitchell Cowbum. For further info on the competition, Barrie Erskine • Oakville Beaver Brody Brandt, Conor McGlynn, Jackson Hulbert, Ryan call 905-847-7747. McNeely, Kamil Tkaczuk, Cameron DeFazio. Danny Beaver, END TO END! end to end action, here, first in the Burlington crease and then in the Oakville Tyler Pierog, Ryan Toor, Matthew Little, Justin Martin. Rhys A few of the competitors crease. Burlington prevailed 5-4 in OT in this opening game, but Oakville won the next two. Maguire, Samuel Hisey, Cole Cassels and Hunter Swain. who will be on hand ... The Oakville Gymnastics Club will play host to the Winning Colors Trampoline and Tumbling Canada Cup Ice Bears ice series, Beatrice next & Provincial Championships at Maplegrove Arena in Oakville, this By Neil Becker weekend (April 4-6). SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Canadians competing will include: • Karen Cockburn, Trampoline No one was more shocked than the Bronze Medal 2000 Olympics & Gold Mississauga Ice Bears players upon Medals at 1999, 2000 & 2001 Canadian learning-that not only had they won Championships... last Friday’s National Women’s • Heather McManus, Synchronize Hockey League (NW HL) game in Trampoline Gold Medals 2001 World Oakville 5-3 over the Brampton Championships & 1991, 2000, 2001 & Thunder — but also the series. 2002 Canadian Championships ... The Ice Bears will now move on to • Chris Mitruk, Double Mini the central division championship Trampoline Gold Medals 2001 & 2000 against the defending NWHL champi­ World Championships & 2002, 1996 to on Beatrice Aeros. 2000, 1993 & 1992 Canadian The best-of-three series will open Championships... this Monday (April 7) at the Beatrice • Mathieu Turgeon, Trampoline Ice Gardens at York University. Bronze Medal 2000 Olympics & 2000 And Ice Bears owner Bill Metcalfe, Canadian Championships... of Oakville, has announced that the •Bryan Milonja, Trampoline Gold second game will be held back at Ice Medals 2000, 2001 & 2002 Canadian Sports Oakville on Sunday, April 13. Championships... 6:15 p.m. • Cheryl Johnson, Double Mini Game three, if necessary, for this Trampoline Gold Medal 1998 Canadian central conference championship Championships & Bronze Medal 1999 would be held on Monday, April 14 at World Championship... York University. • Neisha Davis, Power Tumbling Metcalfe also noted that with the Silver Medals 2002, 2001 & 2000 women’s world championships in Chantal Ayotte • Canadian Championships... Oakville Beaver China cancelled due to the SARS out­ • Scott Fischer, Double Mini break, that the Canadian and U.S. team BREAK FREE! the Ice Bears Kathy McCormack looks to break free in playofT action against Brampton Thunder Trampoline Bronze Medal 1999 World players would be back in their respec­ Friday at Ice Sports Oakville. Oakville won the game — and the series. Championship & Silver & Bronze tive line-ups. home — head coach Keith Murray of news, that Brampton’s opening 3-2 And, thus, that his own charges Medals 1998 & 1999 Canadian With just 1:30 left in Friday’s game Oakville called a time-out for his team, win on Wednesday night had been were on the verge of not just winning Championships at Ice Sports Oakville — which has who were up 5-3. taken away, and instead awarded to the the game — but the series. (See Ice Bears' page D3) become the Ice Bears home away from And he told them some shocking Ice Bears. I -0. (See .|ce BearS’ page D3) Canadian Tire’s Athlete of the Week r Canadian Tire Brandon MacDonald Brandon MacDonald, 11, and Oakville... from Oakville successfully upheld his number one ranking in the provincial A Winning Combination! indoor U-12 tennis championships ac Cedar DUNDAS & TRAFALGAR ROAD OAKTOWN SHOPPING PLAZA Springs in Burlington. 400 Dundas St. East • 257-TIRE 550 Kerr Street • 844-0202 Way to g o !!! 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