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_ Minor hockey showdown January 1 â€"~ The brainchild of Sports Dimensions Ltd. of Toronto who also devised the Naâ€" tional â€" Hockey _ League‘s popular Showdown series, the minor hockey version will be contested country wide. Winners at various local, regional and provinâ€" cial playdowns will advance The biggest â€"shootout in the local minor hockey season scene will be a goalâ€" tender‘s nightmare. But even the beleaguered goalies who will be facing top young snipers like Roy Russell, John Ackerl and Ron Sosnoski m breakaway after breakaway can turn out winners in Minor Hockâ€" ey Showdown. > Crossâ€"country. It doesn‘t mean an angry nation... anyâ€" thing but. Over the past few years, crossâ€"country â€" skiing | has gained rapid popularity in Ontarico and no wonder‘ . Crossâ€"country â€" necessitates a modest cash outlay. little training and reaps a wealth of benefits including exerâ€" cise, fresh air solitude (if * you want it) and a chance to enjoy the province‘s scenic beauty. Invented by the nomadic tribes of Northern Asia, its purpose was to transport people up mountains. across plains and down valleys. In Ontario, its purpose is to provide one of the most enâ€" joyable forms of winter recreation available. The biggest selling factor in crossâ€"country _ skiing is that it can be done almost anywhere that there is snow cover. Though â€" municipal parks and open fields are suitable for some crossâ€" country jaunts, perhaps the best way to enjoy the exâ€" perience is at one of Onâ€" tario‘s more than 100 crossâ€" country ski resorts. Trail use fees are nominal at most cross â€" country reâ€" sorts. Prices range from $1 to $3 for a full day‘s skiâ€" ing and, at Molson‘s Park in Barrie, trail use is free if you provide your own equipâ€" ment. For first â€" timers, ski rentals are available at the ski areas or through sports outfitters in most larger towns. The prime advantage to both firstâ€"time and accomâ€" plished ski tourers at a bona Crossâ€"country: fun and inexpensive 14 Princess St West 886 2900 or 886 2370 ATERLOO BOWLING w LANES Closed New Year‘s Eve at 5:00 p.m OPEN New Year‘s Day at 1:00 p.m for information call BOWLING SPECIAL HOLIDAY RATES FOR CHILOREN 3 Games $1.25 HOLIDAY HOURS: Days and Evenings Call for Available Time OPEN BOWLING to the national finals in Torâ€" onto in April, 1978. Sponsored by Cocaâ€"Cola Ltd., Canadian Pacific Air and Bauer sports equipment, with the endorsement of the â€" Canadian + Amateur Hockey association, Minor Hockey Showdown has been received favorably by the Waterloo Minor Hockey Association. ‘"‘There‘s been more enâ€" thusiasm â€" than I _ first thought there would be. And once Showdown is explained . its popularity seems to mulâ€" tiply," said Len Wilson of Locally the _ program could involve as many as 1,300 young hockey players the WMHA fide resort is the well markâ€" ed, machine groomed trail. Parallel tracks outline trails to make for easier, troubleâ€" free skiing. At most resorts, rest stops are placed at regâ€" ular intervals to prevent overtiring and the skier can choose his or her own trail length. + Comfortable clothing and a knapsack are important to Crossâ€"country skiing is offered at more than 100 resorts throughout the province. For outdoor winter fun and exercise, it‘s unbeatable. $ although officials would be satisfied with half that numâ€" ber turning out on Showâ€" down Day, scheduled for January 1 at 1:30 p.m. at Waterloo Arena. â€" "A 50% response would be great,‘ admitted Cocaâ€" Cola â€" youth _ coordinator Keith Davidson. ‘"Our main task. though is to get the kids thinking about | it. Everyormie has to be reâ€" gistered before Showdown Day. Coaches have all the required information." Davidson has â€" already held meetings with the areas nine other minor hockey associations, drawâ€" ing a favorable response from all but one. The Galt every crossâ€"country skier. Though you may be cold when you begin, within a few minutes you‘ll be quite warm. The knapsack will help in both shedding clothâ€" ing and in carrying some energy foods like chocolate nuts and raisins. The only clothing taboo is wearing denim jeans. Proâ€" viding too little leg room Purchasers should buy ONLY from a Registered Builder and be assured of 1. Deposit and downpayment protection. 2 Correcton of defects and deficiencies during first year 3. Protection against major structural defects for 5 years. 4. Mediation in disputes. Check with your builder. sohcitor or real estate broker, or contact HUDAC NEW HOME WARRANTY PROGRAM 180 Bloor St West. Toronto. Ont M5SS 2V6 * (416) 922â€"3005 Administering ONTARIO NEW HOME WARRANTIES PLAN ACT in the Showdown program. Once the players have registered for the shootout, at a $3 cost with $1 going to the players association, each association will be responsible for organizing its own Showdown Day, on or before Jan. 21. Minor Hockey® Association one of two levels, decided to wait until next League or Higher All boys are eligible for Showdown. Players can reâ€" gister by age in one of 10 divisions starting at preâ€" atom age of 7 and 8 and ending at postâ€"midget age 17 and 18. along the thigh and knee and too much material around the ankle, denim jeans can trip even the best skiers, absorb moisture and freeze readily. Almost any other type of slacks will do, but woollen knickers and long socks are the best. _ Players will also be classified and compete at To check out snow conâ€" ditions for your crossâ€" country skiing trip, the involved Waterioo Chronicle, Wednesday, December 28, 1977 â€" Page 11 A maximum of 40 players ean therefore advance from each association to the reâ€" gional final. Regional play« downs are on Feb. 18 at a site to be named later, proâ€" vincial on ‘April 2 and naâ€" tional finals April 29â€"30. Along the route individual winners can collect crests certificates, shirts, kit bags, an allâ€"expense paid trip to Toronto with national teleâ€" vision exposure in the final. Awarding prizes, howâ€" ever, was not the objective behind the Showdown proâ€" Barrie Office of the Minisâ€" try of Industry and Tourâ€" ism has several tollâ€"free numbers to call. From Toâ€" ronto call 364â€"4722, 3644785 or 364â€"4855. 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Winter underwear 171 King St. S., Waterloo PHONE 745â€"8445 Complete Collision And Refinishing Service _ ‘"What we‘re trying to do is to give the young hockey players a chance to exhibit their skills and have some fun,"" said Davidson. Forwards and defensemen will compete in skill, tests that combine skating speed, acceleration, agility puck control, shooting and scorâ€" ing _ ability. Goalts%ders tests will combine ting and â€" goaltending â€" ability, quickness, agility. and net orientation. Spectators are more than welcome at this community event. See you at the Waterâ€" loo Arena on January 1. starting at 1 :30 p.m. For further information en crossâ€"country skiing in Ontario and â€" the booklet entitied Winter in Ontario/ Canada, contact: Ontario Travel, Queen‘s Park, Toronâ€" to, Ontario M7A 2ES5 or call collect (416) 965â€"4008. _ Ontarin Funcral Service Association