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OkillOAKVILLESMUSIC STOREwww.gearmusic.netSports324 Kerr St.905-339-3515SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 201126White Oaks hockey programon track so farBy Jon KuiperijBEAVER SPORTS EDITORWhite Oaks return to boys high school hockeyis off to a promising start.Playing in the Halton league for the first time insix years, the Wildcats have been very competitive.White Oaks is 1-3 in Tier 2 league play, but hasscored nearly as many goals (eight) as it hasallowed (10).The schools boys hockey program got an addedboost of credibility at last weekends Bur Bear tour-nament in Burlington. The Wildcats won four of their five games at the competition to claim theRed title, capping their showing with a 5-2 winover North Bay Algonquin in the Red final.They really showed (something) in that tour-nament, said White Oaks coach Van Avramidis,who was instrumental in the Wildcats return toHalton boys hockey.White Oaks opened the tournament with a lossto Algonquin (a game in which the Wildcats heldan early 3-1 lead) before rebounding to defeat St.Thomas Aquinas and Aldershot, then edging T.A.Blakelock 3-2 in overtime in the Red semifinals.Wildcats goaltender Cole Fleming was instru-ERIC RIEHL / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVERmental in the Red championship, while forwardsTaylor Brooks and Owen Bassett and defencemanTHE RACE IS ON:Kevin Sayers of the Loyola Hawks (in white) races Iroquois Ridge's James Smith for the puck during the Purple finalAustin James provided much of White Oaks offen-of last weekend's Bur Bear hockey tournament in Burlington. Loyola defeated the Trailblazers 4-1.sive punch.Winning a tournament title in the first year of the rebuilt program is certainly encouraging forHawks break through at Bur BearAvramidis, a former Ontario Junior Hockey Leaguerwho also played at the University of Waterloo.Hawks goalie Stefan Chiasson shoneby one goal. The Hawks defeated Notre By Jon KuiperijI think we will go through growing pains likeBEAVER SPORTS EDITORthroughout the weekend, particularly inDame, Abbey Park and Ridge all any program that starts, Avramidis said. I imag-a 3-1 win over tournament favouriteteams that are in Tier 1 at the Bur ine well be hopefully an exceptional program in aLoyola boys hockey coach Larry Waterdown during round-robin play, andBear.couple years down the road.Litzgus feels his Hawks finally showed was named Loyolas MVP.I think (our team) had something to The interest from students is there. More thanwhat they are capable of.Our goalie was the differ-prove, Litzgus said. If they 40 players of widely varying skill levels tried out forThis was theAfter reaching the Halton Tier 1 finals ence the whole tournament, play (in league) the way they this seasons team.last spring, the Hawks struggled early said Litzgus. He stood on did at the tournament, we best hockey We had kids that had never played hockeythis season and were recently relegated his head (against Waterdown). should win the rest of our before to one or two players that had played repthey've played to the leagues Tier 2 division. But those He was unbelievable.games in Tier 2.before but hadnt played in about three years, saidthis season."struggles werent apparent last weekend Offensively, the Hawks The Bur Bear tournament Avramidis, who is assisted by former Princetonas the Hawks won four of five games to were led by Shane OHanlon, featured two pools and four University player Dave Del Monte. Vice-principal Loyola Hawksclaim the Purple championship at the who finished the tournament championships up for grabs. Jeff Carey has also helped out behind the bench.coach Larry LitzgusBur Bear tournament in Burlington.with six goals and two assists. The top four teams in the No matter what, given the makeup of the teamLoyola opened the tournament with a Mike Lunder, Cameron Frith Pool after round-robin and the kids that are on the team, the personalities3-1 loss to the Assumption Crusaders Sayers and Mike Stevenson each added aplay competed for the Gold title, with the that they bring, its a good group of kids. So its abefore winning its next four contests, pair of goals during the tournament,next top four playing for the Purple pleasure to coach, Avramidis added.clinching the Purple title with a 4-1 win while Zack Mulvale contributed a single.crown. The top four teams in the Grant Right from the start, you knew these kidsover the Iroquois Ridge Trailblazers.Litzgus believes his team is betterPool played for the Silver title and the wanted to play hockey and that, no matter whatThis was the best hockey theyve than a typical Tier 2 squad, noting thatnext four competed for the Red champi-they did, theyd try to be competitive. Thats all youplayed this season, Litzgus said.five of Loyolas early-season losses cameonship.can ask for.