For Release: February 10th, 2000

In a league of thirteen teams, it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that the race for the top six positions after regular season play becomes a hotly contested issue.

Such is the case with the S.D.S.S.A.A. girls' hockey league. But even though the top six teams in the league are separated by only seven points going into the last week of the schedule, the playoff teams have already been established. Those same top six will advance to the playoff round this year, with the top two teams receiving a bye, and 6th playing 3rd, along with 5th vs 4th.

And although we do know which six teams will be participating, how the final standings will pan out amongst them is still very much in question. Here's a brief preview of the top six teams, their records and the games they have remaining (as of Tue, Feb. 8th):

Marymount Academy> 10-1-0 (1st), Games remaining: Manitoulin (Feb. 17)

Their Feb. 2 match against Notre Dame could figure to be a preview of the Championship Final series. Having lost that game 8-1, expect the Regals and Head Coach Ken MacKenzie to be ready for the rematch should they advance.

College Notre Dame> 9-0-1 (2nd), Games remaining: Manitoulin (Feb. 10) and Lasalle (Feb.14)

After soundly defeating Marymount, everyone was picking Michele Albert's Alouettes to finish with a perfect record. Then the 2-2 tie with Lively on Feb. 7 ....

Lasalle Secondary> 8-2-0 (3rd), Games remaining: Notre Dame (Feb. 14) and St. Benedict (Feb. 15)

Coach Peter Kallio's charges haven't tasted defeat since Dec. 16th against the Regals, and can't wait to test their skills against the Alouettes on the 14th.

Lively District> 7-2-1 (4th), Games remaining: Lo-Ellen (Feb. 14) and Lockerby (Feb. 15)

Sound goaltending figures to be the key for Tracy Moxam's Hawks, who hope that their momentum from the 2-2 tie against the Alouettes will carry through the last week of the season. They'll end the regular season with two stiff challenges ...

Lockerby Composite> 7-2-0 (5th), Games remaining: Manitoulin (Feb. 9), Mac Cartier (Feb. 10), Lively (Feb. 15)

Peter DeMarco's charges are in a position to make the biggest move up the standings with their three games remaining, but haven't played since Jan. 18th versus Confederation. The Lively game should prove key to the final standings.

St. Charles> 6-4-1 (6th), Game remaining: Macdonald Cartier (Feb. 9)

This week's victory against the Lo-Ellen Park Knights (4-2) sealed the deal for Phil Reid's Cards, who up until this time were teetering precariously around the elimination mark.

This will be a very interesting race to the finish. Girls' hockey quarter finals are scheduled for Thursday, February 24th, with semis and finals in the two weeks following that. Watch for details about times, dates and match-ups at a future date.

The boys' league has featured every bit as much drama heading into this the last week of their regular season schedule. Even though only one point separates them at time of publication, St. Benedict, Lasalle and Lively are struggling to maintain holds on second and third place, to avoid meeting up with the 13-0 St. Charles Cardinals in the semi finals. Key match-ups for this weekend include St. Charles at Lively Friday at 8:30pm in Walden, and Lively at St. Benedict at 6pm Saturday in the Cambrian Arena.

A few Division II positions are up for grabs as well as Espanola and Sudbury Secondary tangle for the final playoff position. Saturday's match-up in Espanola between these two teams at 7pm, the final day of regular season, should prove to be the clincher.

Semi final action for the boys' in both divisions begins Tuesday, February 15th. Watch for times and dates to be released Monday.

Meanwhile, this weekend is Golden Hoop weekend for thirty-six boys' basketball teams across the province in the Midget, Junior and Senior age groups. Chair Doug MacKay of Lo-Ellen Park reports that Westwood of Mississauga will be sending two of their three defending champion teams in Junior and Senior, but look to be in tough against teams from as far North as Kapuskasing, as far East as Ottawa, and as far South as St. Catharines. Local entries include Lo-Ellen (Midget and Junior), Lockerby (Midget), Notre Dame (Midget), Confederation (Midget, Junior and Senior), St. Charles (Midget Junior and Senior), Lasalle (Midget and Junior) and Northeastern (Midget and Senior).

Action begins tommorrow (Friday) afternoon in six sites, including Confederation, Lo-Ellen, St. Charles, Northeastern, Lockerby and Notre Dame with championship finals beginning at 5:30pm on Saturday at Lo-Ellen.

Coming this Monday are the S.D.S.S.A.A. Alpine Ski Championships at Adanac Ski Hill, involving an anticipated 100 skiers from nine local schools.

Skiers at the local meet participate in their age groups, Midget, Junior and Senior, but then switch to the O.F.S.A.A. level system for competition at the N.O.S.S.A. level. Qualifyers from the S.D.S.S.A.A. meet qualify to participate at the N.O.S.S.A. meet to be hosted at Mount Antoine on February 21st and from there, winners advance to the O.F.S.A.A. level at Blue Mountain one week after that.

To the skiers - best of luck and see you on the slopes!

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