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19 · Friday, January 4, 2013 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com 2012 Richard Bell Memorial Minor Hockey Tournament Pair of minor bantam teams settle for silver Shootout foils AAs again Shootouts haven't been kind to the Oakville minor bantam AA Rangers. In September, a shootout cost them a division title at the Vaughan Early Bird Tournament. And last weekend at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, the shootout proved to be the team's undoing once again as the Rangers lost 3-2 to the Mississauga Terriers in the championship final at the Richard Bell Memorial Minor Hockey Tournament. "I guess we need to practise our shootouts," Rangers head coach Mark Moro said with a small chuckle. "I thought it was a great tournament. We did really well up until that point. I'm proud of the guys and how they played." Down 2-0 in the third period, Oakville started its comeback when Derek McVey scored a power-play goal with 10:28 remaining. With less than two minutes to go, Jacob Moro's shot from just inside the blue line was blocked in front of the Mississauga goal, a scramble ensued and Liam Gravelle found the puck though a maze of players and scored to tie the game 2-2. "We just kept playing our game," Mark Moro said. "We got a good forecheck going and I think they were getting tired. They were kind of sitting back... and protecting the lead and we kept coming on strong." Despite the loss, Moro feels confident about his team's chances of having a successful second half of the season as it prepares for the upcoming OMHA and TriCounty Hockey League playoffs. "The score isn't always the most important thing," Moro said. "When you go into a tournament, you're more concerned with how your team is playing and how they're trending, and I think we're trending in the right direction." -- Ryan Glassman, Special AAAs encouraged by play Winners of three straight league games going into the Christmas break, the minor bantam AAA Rangers were already feeling pretty good about their game. A finalist showing at the Bell tournament only adds to that optimism as the club turns the calendar to 2013 and looks ahead to the South Central Triple A playoffs. The Rangers' only losses at the Bell tournament came against the Niagara Falls North Stars, both in round-robin play and in the championship game. The way Oakville played the North Stars tough in Sunday's final at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, digging itself out of a 2-0 hole before eventually falling 3-2, provided plenty of positives in the eyes of coach Kevin Gordon. "In our last two games against Niagara Falls, including the first game of the tournament (a 5-1 North Stars win), they beat us handily. This was a good game for us," Gordon said. "We played really well to come back. Their goaltending is exceptional... I'm proud of our guys." Kyle Kennery and Zachary Landau scored second-period goals for the Rangers, who carried the play for most of the middle frame. Niagara notched the winner two minutes into the third. Oakville's wins at the Bell tournament came against the Lambton Jr. Sting (6-2), Guelph Jr. Storm (4-1), Brantford 99ers (5-1) and Guelph (2-1). The Rangers currently sit fifth in the SCTA standings with a 9-8-9 record. Niagara is second with a 13-4-5 mark, two points behind Brampton for the division lead. -- Jon Kuiperij, Beaver staff STEVEN DER-GARABEDIAN / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER TO THE VICTORS GO THE SPOILS: Oakville minor midget AA Rangers teammates Ryan Tomka (left) and Sam Vasilaros-Wilson display the medals they earned by winning the Richard Bell Memorial Minor Hockey Tournament. Rangers allow four goals in seven games Continued from page 17 slot and then kicked out his leg to get a skate on Courage's shot. At the other end, Bradshaw stopped 15 shots for the shutout and held off the Braves when they came on strong in OT. "To win three games today -- and we almost played four games if you count the overtimes -- isn't easy," Stamegna said. "We only had four goals against in seven games. In the end, we had strong goaltending and a very good team commitment to defence." The Rangers have shown that in league play as well, where they are second in the TriCounty Hockey League standings with a record of 17-4-3 and a league-best 1.54 goalsagainst average. That, and a tournament victory under their belt, has the Rangers looking forward to the upcoming OMHA playoffs. "We're definitely more confident after winning this," Courage said. 2012 Richard Bell division champions MINOR ATOM AAA - Toronto Marlies AA - Orangeville Flyers A - Oakville Rangers AE - Oakville Rangers MINOR PEEWEE AAA - Mississauga Rebels AA - Garden City Falcons A - Whitby Wildcats Blue AE - Burlington Eagles MINOR BANTAM AAA - Niagara North Stars AA - Mississauga Terriers A - Burlington Bulldogs AE - Oakville Rangers MINOR MIDGET AA - Oakville Rangers A - Oakville Rangers Call Alycia at 905-845-3824 ext. 278 ahowe@oakvillebeaver.com HOME IMPROVEMENTS CONSTRUCTION PAINTING ATTENTION PROFESSIONAL ROOFERS: THIS SPACE CAN BE YOURS Home Renovations/Additions Drywall speciality/Taping Experience in custom building gives that added touch to big or small jobs Electrical/plumbing/carpentry guarantees quick precise completion of your reno or addition. Remodel a kitchen/bathroom/ basement install new cabinets & counters/tiling PAINTING Inter-Can Painting Inc. 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