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48 Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2008 Blades lose star goaltender NCAA eligibility issues force Greenham to leave the team By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR DEREK WOOLLAM / OAKVILLE BEAVER UNHAPPY BIRTHDAY: Scott Greenham, who backstopped the Blades to a 16-5 record throughout their Provincial Junior A Hockey League championship playoff run, left the team yesterday to comply with NCAA regulations. Greenham turned 21 yesterday, meaning he would forfeit a year of eligibility at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks if he continued to play with the Blades. Most young people eagerly anticipate their 21st birthday. Scott Greenham was dreading it. When the clock struck midnight Wednesday, the Oakville Blades star goaltender had a major decision to make -- continue playing with the team and forfeit a year of NCAA hockey eligibility at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, or walk away from the Blades in the middle of the Dudley Hewitt Cup Central Canada junior A hockey championship tournament. Greenham has opted for the latter. Backup netminder Oliver Wren will be Oakville's man between the pipes for the duration of the Dudley Hewitt Cup, and likely at the RBC Royal Bank Cup national championship -- should the Blades get there. Greenham's eligibility issues are due to NCAA rule 14.2.3.5 that states "any participation as an individual or a team representative in organized sports competition by a student during each 12-month period after the student's 21st birthday and prior to initial full-time enrollment in a collegiate institution shall count as one year of varsity competition in that sport." Greenham and the Blades were aware of the issue when he accepted a scholarship from the University of AlaskaFairbanks several months ago, but thought they had worked out a compromise that would allow the Brockville-area See Wren page 50 Captain Corbeil gets offensive in win over Sudbury NEWMARKET -- Chris Corbeil wears a with 11:39 to go in regulation time, tapping `C' on his Oakville Blades jersey because of his in a goalmouth feed from Geoff Guimond to leadership abilities, work ethic and dedication finish off a beautiful three-way passing play to playing a solid two-way game. started by Dustin Alcock. Corbeil also opened "I'm definitely not the team sniper," he the scoring in the first period, blowing admits with a smile. around Sudbury defenceman But it was Corbeil's offensive "(Teammates) Anthony Fey and ripping a wrist contributions that played a were calling me shot past the glove of Wolves major role for the Blades Pavel Corbeil, netminder Joey Delwo. Wednesday, as Oakville over"(Teammates) were calling which I'm came a 3-2 third-period deficit to me Pavel Corbeil, which I'm defdown the Northern Ontario definitely not initely not used to," said the Junior Hockey League champi- used to." Blades captain, who earned playon Sudbury Junior Wolves and er-of-the-game honours. "I was improve to 2-0 at the Dudley Chris Corbeil just trying to use my speed and Hewitt Cup. The victory meant my instincts took over." the Blades were assured at least a semifinal Oakville head coach Carlo Coccimiglio berth in the Central Canada junior A hockey was not surprised to see Corbeil step up his championship tournament, regardless of the game when his team needed it the most. result of last night's (Thursday's) final round"If you look through the course of the robin contest against the host Newmarket year, when we were behind (in games), Chris Hurricanes. is always one who steps up," said Coccimiglio. Corbeil netted the game-winning goal "That's the sign of a good leader, and Chris is one of the best leaders I've ever had to be a captain of one of my teams." Corbeil's two-goal effort was one-upped by teammate Nick McParland, who completed a hat trick with an insurance empty-netter in the final minute. It was McParland's sixth goal in two games, following a natural hat trick in Oakville's 5-1 rout of the Dryden Ice Dogs in Tuesday's tournament opener. Penalty trouble was the main reason why the Blades found themselves down 3-2 after 40 minutes. Jeff Grenier (hooking) and Kyle Badham (head check) were both whistled on the same play midway through the second frame, and Wolves sniper Scott Restoule scored on the ensuing 5-on-3. With Sudbury still on a one-man advantage, Luke Moodie was called for slashing. The Wolves again capitalized, with J.F. Houle banging a rebound past Oakville netminder Scott Greenham to give Sudbury a 3-2 lead. "We put ourselves in that situation with the penalties," Corbeil said. "Guys lost their focus and concentration (during the second period). We had to get away from the stupid penalties. This whole tournament, we haven't let in a 5-on-5 goal." The Blades led 2-1 after one, with goals by Corbeil and McParland sandwiched around a shorthanded marker by Wolves captain Jordan Cheechoo -- the brother of San Jose Sharks forward Jonathan Cheechoo. Luke Moodie and Guimond both had two assists for the Blades. Jeremy Welsh and Julian Cimadamore also contributed helpers, with Greenham making 26 stops to earn the win -- possibly his final one with the Blades (see story, above). A win last night would have earned the Blades a bye to tomorrow's (Saturday's) final, while a loss would mean they would have to play in a semifinal contest tonight (Friday). Visit the Beaver's website (www.oakvillebeaver.com) for details of last night's contest, which began after the Beaver's press deadline. -- Jon Kuiperij www.icesports.com 905-845-6989