Wednesday, January 17, 2007 · Page 17 CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER Why miss work or school for court? Impaired... assaults... threats... traffic tickets Criminal Pardons at a reasonable cost. 73's rookies showcase talents BY DANIEL SCHWAB Four players of the Essex 73's hockey team were given the opportunity to play for talent scouts during the Great Lakes Junior `C' annual showcase game in Blenheim Jan. 11. Only players younger than age 17 were picked to play. Representing the 73's were centres Evan Stibbard and Tanner Gallant, left winger Wes Tan and goaltender Ryan Barnett. 73's head coach Tony Piroski said the game talent scouts from the Junior `B' league were in attendance "to see if they've overlooked anybody." "Another big thing is that the guys get to see how they size up against other players their own age," Piroski said. Piroski said he is confident that the 73's were well represented during the game. "They're getting some good hockey players," he said. Appealing the suspension Piroski said he and assistant coach Lee Jones will be appealing the Ontario Hockey Association's deci"Jordy's just like his dad," Barnett said. "He's smart and he knows his hockey. The players have stepped up too. They know what's expected of them." Jamie McDermott has been sharing the role of head coach with Jordy Piroski. Since Piroski and Jones were temporarily ousted from behind the bench, the team has maintained an impressive 13-0-1 record. Piroski said he still leads the team's practices but is anxious to coach during games again. "It's tough," Piroski said. "I'm used to being there." Essex lawyer Joe Byrne is representing Piroski at the appeal. "Piroski's record of service to the hockey community is long, accomplished and exemplified by actions of integrity," Byrne said. "I'm really concerned that an outstanding coach is being put outside of teaching kids for a year. It seems like a tremendous loss to the community." CHRISTINA SWEET Weekend and evening appointments in Essex 253-0140 Res. 776-8983 Atom A Forest Machine Barrister-at-Law Evan Stibbard Tanner Gallant Wes Tan Ryan Barnett sion to suspend the two coaches for a year following a verbal confrontation with a referee in November. The OHA handed down their decision Jan. 5. The appeal hearing will take place Jan. 17 in Cambridge. 73's assistant general manager Mark Barnett said since Piroski has been banned from the bench during games, it's been a bit of a transition for the team. Barnett said Piroski's son and assistant coach Jordy has been filling the role of head coach in his father's absence. KEN KNAPP FORD SALES NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION: DRIVE THE VEHICLE YOU WANT AT A PRICE YOU CAN AFFORD! WEDNESDAY JANUARY 17 FRIDAY JANUARY 19 SATURDAY JANUARY 20 THURSDAY JANUARY 18 The Ravens played their final two games of Bluewater Season this week, facing Southpoint Friday on home turf and travelling to LaSalle Saturday to face off against the LaSalle Sabres. Southpoint leapt ahead early Friday night, catching a quick goal minutes into the first. Undaunted, Essex pushed back. Jordan Hooker flew in from the right and just missed slipping one by the Southpoint goalie. William Wuerch and Adam Zanier fought tirelessly to capitalize on an Essex power play opportunity midway through the first, but couldn't snag the tying goal. As the buzzer sounded to end the first, Southpoint tipped one in from the point to take the lead 2-0. Southpoint hit hard early in the second, forcing net minder Josh Myers to make some amazing saves. The Ravens caught a break when Southpoint drew a roughing penalty and was then called for having too many players on the ice. For a minute of play, Essex had a five-on-three advantage, but just couldn't hit the mesh. Back at full capacity, Southpoint battered our net, but outstanding goaltending by Josh Myers kept Essex in the game. The third saw power play opportunities on both sides, as both teams drew lots of penalties. Again, Southpoint nabbed a goal early in the period, pulling ahead 3-0. CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 Novice A Drs Hager/Kniaziew After two weeks with no games on the schedule, the team was eager to get back in action. On Friday night the LaSalle Sabres skated into town for their final meeting of the regular season. The Ravens struck first as Brady Rickeard tipped a pass off the LaSalle defencemen and into the net 1-0. Early in the second period, Dylan Dent skated in alone but was denied as his shot went off the handle of the netminder's stick. At :23 Jake Maissoneuve topped a LaSalle breakway to keep the Raven ead, but with only 1:13 emaining in the second, he Sabres were finally able o find the back of the net nd tied the game at a goal piece after two periods. LaSalle went up 2-1 arly in the third, and at :38 a LaSalle forward was rought down on a breakway setting up an exciting enalty shot. Goaltender Adam Amicarelli was up to the task as he read the LaSalle forward perfectly to keep the game within reach. At 6:11 Jake Watters weaved in and out of the Sabre defence and rang a high shot off the post. LaSalle found the insurance marker at 3:09 to go up 3-1. Penalties late in the game, put the game out of reach with a 3-1 final On Saturday the team traveled to `the lake' at the Thames Campus in Chatham to face the Maroons on the large ice for the second time this season. Chatham was quick to score at 1:06 of the first, but the teams played end-to-end hockey during the opening period, finishing off with a nice save by Josh Scratch at the buzzer. A screened shot at 8:59 of the second put Chatham up 2-0 and after a Raven hooking call at 5:25, Chatham banged in a rebound on the powerplay to go up 3-0 after two. In the third period the Ravens struggled to clear the puck out of the deep zone and Chatham capitalized three times to finish the game 6-0. The team will now continue to practice as they await the start of playdowns. The players, coaching staff, and parents of the Ravens Novice `A' team send their deepest sympathies to EMHA President Michele Bradt on the recent passing of her husband, Keith. WITH NO DOWNPAYMENT & NO PAYMENTS FOR 6 MOS. ONLY! 4 DAYS OVER 100 CARS TO CHOOSE FROM W I T H P AY M E N T S S TA R T I N G AT $ 2 8 / W K * GOOD CREDIT! BAD CREDIT! PRE-APPROVALS ONLINE CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS MEAN THERE'S HUGE SAVINGS FOR USED VEHICLE BUYERS FREE Did you know? www.EasyCreditCanada.ca AND YOU GET $1,000 WHEN YOU PICK UP YOUR VEHICLE! ON FINANCED DEALS ONLY JANUARY 2007 KEN KNAPP FORD PAY TO THE ORDER OF One Thousand Dollars YOUR NAME GOES HERE MEMO: JANUARY SALE Non-negotiable. You must present this cheque to the dealership at the time of sale to take advantage of this special offer. Certified used vehicle purchase is required during the sale period. All previous sales are excluded. Ken Knapp $1,000 is a proud sponsor of local Sports Teams "In Beautiful Downtown Essex" 390 TALBOT ST. N. ESSEX www.kenknappford.com 519-776-6447 · 1-800-461-8773