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| August 13, 2003
By Kayma Ramaswamy - The Hamilton Spectator
Final-Four Finish For The Ontario Tour Firewheels
| (Hamilton, Ont.) - Ontario's team placed fourth at the North American Roller Hockey Championship.
When the Southern Ontario based Major Junior A Roller Hockey League folded 3 summers ago, it was very disappointing to some area roller hockey players. But, with a passion for the world’s fastest growing sport the local athletes had to find somewhere to continue competitive participation.
The group of local roller hockey enthusiasts found sanction to participate with the North American Roller Hockey Championships, which is a continent wide series of tournaments for the world’s top roller hockey players. The calibre of player and true roller hockey style at NARCh is much stronger then the Canadian version of roller hockey. In Canada, roller hockey is more run and gun; in the States it is more physical with a strong emphasis on man-to-man coverage. This years finals were held in Estero, Florida from July 19-28 with over 350 teams participating from 7 years old to NARCh Pro.
The Ontario Tour Firewheels who have a strong local contingent reached the Final Four in the prestigious Division One category. The Firewheels would be eliminated in the semi-finals to St. Louis Team Tour, but the road to the final four was tremendous.
In the Quarter Finals the Firewheels would defeat the Mission Hyper Pirates from California in an exciting 5-4 overtime thriller. Firewheels co-captain Mike Burgoyne would net the game winner with 3:46 remaining in extra time. Former Hamilton Kilty Bee and current Firewheel netminder Steve McFarlene would make key saves in the overtime to keep the Pirates off the board. Curtis Edgcumbe had a strong game has he fired 2 goals, while Dante Damani and Greg Kelly rounded out the scoring with single markers. “It was an awesome feeling to win over the Pirates,” said Burgoyne who along with Derek Myke has been apart of the Firewheels organization for the last 6 years.
The Firewheels finished the preliminary round with a 3 win and 1 loss record.
In game one the Firewheels had a come from behind victory to defeat the New Jersey Sharks 6-4. Chad Martin and Damani fired 2 goals apiece while Rob Leggat and Mike Dawson registered single markers.
Game two, the Firewheels were in for a very physical game has they faced Oakland Dry Ice. The Firewheels needed a strong game from their defensive core. McFarlene denied the opposition throughout the game while co-captain Derek Myke played his best game of the tournament. “I was happy with Derek’s physical performance in the game” said Head Coach Don Cameron. “He controlled in front of the net, and he took it to the opposition” added Mr.Cameron. The Firewheels would end up with a 7-3 victory as Brad Zancanaro fired three goals, Burgoyne added 2 markers. Martin and Brett Carpenter added single goals.
Game three, the Firewheels lost 6-4 to North California E Pro Shop in a penalty filled contest. The Firewheels surrendered 4 power play goals. Scoring was spread out as Martin, Carpenter, Burgoyne and Zancarno scored one goal apiece.
The final preliminary game saw the Firewheels face the Chicago Magic. The Firewheels would roll to a 6-3 victory. Zancarno and Burgoyne were the key marksmen as they both fired 2 goals. Damani would chip in with a single marker, while Myke added a goal and 3 assists.
The Firehweels team members are very happy to ranked #4 in the world. British Columbia was the other Canadian representative in the tournament. The Firewheels were missing team captain and one of the countries top roller hockey players Dundas resident Steve Traver. “Steve was the missing piece in Florida” said Myke, “With him on the floor we would have brought home the gold medal”
The roller hockey season is not done yet as the Firewheels will participate in the Pro Division at the Buffalo Wings Cup in late August. Then in January they will enter the NARCh Winternationals in Las Vegas.
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