S Q
I$ SPORT Van Koughnett
louts
up
31 in home
finale
Warriors redy for shoobontat Copps~
by Peter Imprint
Brown sports
ean Van Koughnett added an exclamation point to the fifth and final chapter of his re-
S
markable career last Saturday PAC, but he and the Warriors that they can write a couple tences more at the OUAA championship tournament that tonight at Hamilton’s Copps
at the hope senWest starts Coli-
seum. In his final home game, Van Koughnett exploded for 24 points in the first half en route to a game-high 31 as Waterloo (8-6) beat the Guelph Gryphons (12-2) 68-65 to close out their regular-season schedule. Tonight at 6 p-m., the Warriors will tackle the Lakehead Nor’westers at Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum in an OUAA West quarterfinal game. If they win, the Warriors advance to play first-place Guelph on Saturday at 2 p.m. Tonight’s 8 p.m. quarterfinal pits the third-place Brock Badgers against sixth-place Western Mustangs, the winner to play the second-place McMaster Marauders at 12 p.m. Saturday. Copps hosts the championship game on Sunday at 2 p.m. “The past five years have been kind of up and down,” Van Koughnett reflected after Saturday’s game. “We’ve had some talented teams and not come through. “This game really meant a to me individually and to the whole
team, especially against Guclph since they beat us here last year. That was probably the hardest loss to take out of all the losses in my career here.” Guelph scored an upset at the PAC last season as they eliminated Waterloo from the playoffs in the quarterfinal round. Last Saturday, Waterloo led for much of the game before a pair of free throws from Guelph’s Cam Nekkers tied the game at 6 l-61 with 350 to play. After spending much of the second half on the bench in foul trouble, rookie guard Mano Watsa subbed back into the game and immediately sparked the Warrior rally. Collecting a turnover, Watsa fed Mark Hopkins for a dunk that put Waterloo up to stay. The rookie grabbed another steal seconds later and scored easily to make it 65-61* He also added a pair of free throws to help clinch the victory. In the first half, Van Koughnett provided plenty of evidence for why UW head coach Tom Kieswetter and his predecessor Don McCrae mention him in the same breath as Mike Moser and Peter Savitch. He literally took the game by the throat, registering 24 of Waterloo’s 38 points. On two consecutive Guelph possessions, he tore down the defensive rebound, led the fast break to the offensive end, and scored himself. This was on
lot,
top of his trademark deadly outside shooting. “We had a few intcrcsting moments, but we played as a team and to be successful, we have to play that way,” Kieswetter said. “[Guelph] made some adjustments to their dcfence and paid a lot more attention to Sean,” hc said. Kieswettcr isn’t worried about the team being too pumped for tonight after such an emotional victory. “We want to ride this one for a while. We want to keep this fresh in our minds, in terms of the amount of effort it took. It was almost hcroic, some of the effort that we put forth. WC want to keep this in mind and practice this way because this is the standard by which we have to play, the standard by which we measure ourselves now. If anything, we want to get more intense and execute better.” Van Koughnett accumulated 3 1 points and 8 rebounds, subbing offthe court for only a minute or so. Hopkins and Watsa had 15 and 9 points respectively. For Guelph, Rob Henry and Nekkers had 20 and 14 points respectively. The usually potent guard Alex Brainis managed only nine points on 3-of- 13 shooting. The Nor’westers will have revenge on their minds tonight, since Waterloo swept them on the opening weekend of the regular season back in January.
Pucksters lose finals, wrap up season by Kimberly Moser Imprint sports
A
Ithough their season may be over, memories of the 1994% hockey season will Jingcr in the minds of the Warriors and their fans forever. One week after their electrifying double overtime win to climinate Lauricr, Waterloo was knocked out of the playoffs by Western in a best of three division final. The Mustangs took the first game 6-3 in London and then won the scrics Sunday afternoon 3- 1 in Waterloo. It’s a hard way to end any season, but it’s especially hard this year as Waterloo will lose many of its key players. OUAA All-stars Geoff Schncirier and John Wynne will be moving on, as will sparkplugs Greg Allen and Dean MacDonald. Along with them is scoring machine Jason Mcrvyn. Wynnc and Allen were the backbone of Waterloo’s successful program. Wynnc led by example through his classy style of hockey while Allen’s inspirational play motivated Waterloo every time. Schneider
was a constant
work-
horse on dcfcnsc, always there when Waterloo needed him most. MacDonald’s powerful speed and intensity sparked the Warriors every time he stepped on the ice.
Mervyn, a quiet leader in his own right, led the team in scoring two years in a row and was a consistent player all year. But, it isn’t all bad news for the Warriors. Although fi II ing the spots of these great veterans wi II be hard, the rookies this year showed g-cat promise. Goalie Joe Harris had an cxceptional year in net for the Warriors as he kept them close in every game. His leadership nor;t year will be key as Waterloo cntcrs a rebuilding season. Dcfenscman Chad Palmer lad all rookies with his great skill and desire to win. His lcadcrship on a much depleted defense will be vital for the Warriors’ s~~ccess next year. The always flamboyant Jeff Goldic was another key rookie. He was a constant offensive threat no matter where he was on the ice. Although he didn’t have quite the season he would have liked to have had, Matt St. Gcrmain looked awesome out there as he racked up some good numbers in his Grst year. In one weekend alone the guy had five points! His powerful style of hockey was also an asset to the Warriors
this year.
Another rookie to watch out for is Aaron Kenncy. Although he saw limited action this year, you just know he’s going to be a supcrstar. WC’S got that quiet leadership
and style that every team needs. With a 13 -9-2 record, these Warriors can be proud of their efforts this season. “J thought overall we have to be very proud of our guys,” said head coach Don M&cc after Sunday’s loss. “They weren’t ranked all year long and they continued to work hard to stay with the teams in the top IO.” “We lost a lot of key players,” said rookie Matt St. Germain thinking about next season. “Geoff Schneider, John Wynne, Greg Allen: they’ve been here for four years and rcWarriors get in a few last digs in the season showstopper. ally made the team what it is. We have a lot of young guys middle of it. But, make no mistake upon their returns to the lineup. If coming in next year. So, hopefully when he steps out on the ice he both can stay healthy next year, they will be incredible assets to we’ll be able to get along without means business and when crunch those guys.” time hits, he’s the guy you want out Waterloo. A huge congratulations goes If the efforts of the returning there. players from this year are any indiKraemcr is probably the most out to all the Warriors this season. Every one of them played their cation, you riced not worry about skilled of the four, His desire to win and dedication to the team are endhearts out trying to make this scathe Warriors next season. Icss. Put into a leadership role next son the best. Left-winger Chris Kracmer, John Wynnc, GeoffSchneider, ccntrcs Geoff Rawson and Steve year, Kraemer will no doubt excel like he always seems to be able to Greg Allrm, Dean MacDonald and Smith, and dcftinsemcn Mrlrk CarJason Mervyn deserve thanks for diff will be the veteran leaders on . do. their great contributions to Warrior this young team next season. Smith and Cardiff saw limited action due to injuries this season hockey. They are truly the epitome Rawson is the wildman. If of what university is all about. but both made dramatic impacts there’s trouble, he’s usually in the