LOCAL NOTEBOOK: Esquire Honda drives to gold

Esquire Honda captured a gold medal in Brampton in dramatic fashion last weekend.

With the score tied at 0-0 in the championship game, Kristen Johnson scored 1:15 into overtime to lift Esquire Honda of the Sault Female Hockey Association to the Intermediate Division championship at the Brampton Cougars Female Hockey Tournament.

Tamara Tyczinski recorded her second shutout of the tournament in the final.

In earlier action, Stephanie Fratesi scored in a 1-1 tie with the Oshawa Panthers while Fratesi and Johnson scored once each in a 2-1 win over West Lorne. Tiana Chandler and Johnson scored a goal each in a 2-0 victory over the Hamilton Hawks.

Other Esquire Honda team members include Jessica Elliott, Christina Maione, Jamie Kirk, Sarah Royer, Tiffany Stocco, Jill Connolly, Jenna Buck, Heather Archibald, Krista McClelland and Meggan McLeod. Coaches Randy Kirk, Daryll Buck and Manager/Trainer Bonnie Kirk.

*** DUDLEY-HEWITT CUP:

The North Bay Skyhawks have advanced into Saturday's Dudley-Hewitt Cup championship game after a 3-2 win over the Fort William First Nation North Stars on Friday night in semi-final action in North Bay.

The Skyhawks will meet the Aurora Tigers on Saturday night at 7 p.m. for the regional title and the right to advance to the Royal Bank Cup.

Noel Lortie, Tyler Eady and David Frawley scored for the Skyhawks while Cory Bruno and Brent Greene replied for the North Stars.

*** WOMEN'S SUMMER BASKETBALL LEAGUE:

Registrations are now being accepted for the Women's Summer Basketball League.

League play will begin on June 8th with a 10-game minimum schedule. Games will be held Tuesday and Saturday nights from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Sault College.

The league is open to all women ages 17 -and-over at a cost of $80 per player. All proceeds will benefit local girls basketball.

For more information, contact Sault College women's head coach Don Muto at 253-2545.

*** MORE ON MIKE DANTON:

As the story on St. Louis Blues forward Mike Danton, formerly known as Mike Jefferson, that shocked the sports world continues to unfold, details of Danton's life continues to be revealed.

A story in Tuesday's Globe and Mail featured a powerful look at Danton's career through minor and junior hockey and his relationship with controversial agent David Frost.

Included in the article is Danton's stay with the Quinte Hawks, which was then co-owned by Soo Greyhounds head coach Marty Abrams and managed by brother Kevin Abrams.

To read the article, click here.

*** NOHA MEETINGS:

Sault Ste. Marie is currently playing host to the Northern Ontario Hockey Association's 85th Annual General Meetings at the Best Western.

The following is a release provided by Sault Major Hockey Association president Hans Geenan:

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The 85th Annual general meeting of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) will be held in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. At the Best Western Great Northern Hotel on Friday, April 30th May 1st and May 2nd , 2004.

200-250 delegates are expected representing the area from Cochrane to the north and North Bay and the 69 corridor to the South.

Business sessions will consume the structural agenda while on Saturday evening a banquet will be provided at which time awards will be presented to outstanding individuals and groups who have contributed so generously to the Northern Area Hockey Community.

The meeting is held in different cities throughout its mandate area and we are indeed honoured to host this event in our city .

The event is co hosted by Sault major Hockey Association, the Soo Pee Wee Hockey Association and the Sault Recreation Hockey Association.

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