The Ottawa Citizen from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • 41

INSIDE: Ponson stifles Blue Jays, D3 Gatineau drops Telus final, D6 Editor Derek Shelly 596-3525 sportsthecitJzeii.canwestcofn fax 726-5830 MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2005 THE OTTAWA CITIZEN SECTION Canadian content 67's can't believe good fortune It's not the 2-0 advantage that's so shocking, but the way it's come about. Offensively, the Petes have shown a total lack of punch so far. They've only managed a pair of goals and one of those came off the skate of a 6s defenceman. In Game 2, they created no more than a handful of quality chances and, since Ottawa goalie Danny Battochio rarely gives up any gifts, Peterbor Ottawa surprised to be up two games BY CHRIS YZERMAN Peterborough must be stunned by already being down a pair of games in the Ontario Hockey League's Eastern Conference final since Ottawa is surprised to be up 2-0 in the series. "I am," 6s coach and general manager Brian Kilrea said in the wake of Ottawa's most-recent success a 3-0 whitewash of the Petes on Saturday.

"Being up two, we're certainly surprised, and happy, knowing full well that you have to win four." Peterborough heads into tonight's third game of the best-of-seven series facing the prospect that another loss would likely lead to its exit in the not-so-distant future whereas a victory at its Memorial Centre home, where it's 6-1 in the postseason, easily gets it back into the series. However, Ottawa is both encouraged, and surprised, by what the Petes have brought to the table so far in the conference final. "Because everything was so close all year long and we had troubles winning there. Sure, they had troubles winning here, but they did tie us here twice," 67's assistant coach Bert O'Brien said after Ottawa skated for about an hour yesterday morning. 1 Jason Bailey of the U.S.

world championship under-18 team actually honed his hockey skill while growing up in Nepean, reports KEN WARREN. The world under-18 championship gold medal has an intriguing shine for Ne-pean's Jason Bailey. Bailey, who has dual Canadian-United States citizenship, played for the powerful United States team in yesterday's convincing 5-1 title game victory over Canada. "It was like the Stanley Cup for us," Bailey said yesterday, in a telephone interview following the championship game in Plsen, Czech Republic. "This is a huge, huge deal for the U.S." It also puts Bailey in an interesting spot in the on-again, off-again hockey rivalry between the two countries.

Bailey is eligible to represent the U.S. in international competition because his mother, Alicia, was born in Long Island, New York. While he says yesterday's win is as special as any victory he has experienced in hockey, he acknowledged that it was a bit different, given the opponent "It's the first time I've ever played against a Team Canada, but you go out there with whatever sweater you're wearing and you want to win," he said, as his American teammates celebrated in the background. "I spoke to a lot of friends (in Nepean) in the days before the game and I jokingly asked them if they could be American for a day while watching the game. Sure, it's unique.

I don't know how many kids could end up here, while growing up in Canada. It's just unreal. It's a great, great team, with great coaches." Putting an additional twist on the victory is the fact Bailey a former star for the Nepean Raiders of the Central Junior Hockey League and an Ottawa 67's draft pick won the world under-17 title last year, as a member of Team Ontario. Bailey's world opened up last summer, however, when he learned that his mother's background made him eligible for the United States' national under-18 development team. The program provided the ideal stepping stone for Bailey, who will attend the University of Michigan on a scholarship next season.

Bailey was expected to be chosen in the first three rounds of the NHL draft in June, before the draft was cancelled 2004 CAVALIERS SUNFIRES (1 4 door, auto, air. power windows locks. CD. keyless entry A more. Rental return, balance of GM warranty.

AC, 1 In stock! 0 0 mEVRDLETjj ty i 1 uOEi ough is likely going to have to scrap for anything it can get. On Saturday, that amounted to nothing. "You expect to get some goals in junior hockey," Petes coach Dick Todd said. "(Ottawa) played well defensively. They don't get trapped in the offensive zone very often, so you don't get many 3-on-2s, 2-on-is." The Petes don't forecheck as aggressively as the 67's previous two playoff opponents the Barrie Colts and Sudbury Wolves preferring instead to sit back.

If their goal-scoring troubles persist, they may have to eventually break from the approach and open things up, O'Brien said. And that could work in the high-scoring 67's favour, especially since their confidence is soaring following Game 2's performance. "It's great," 67's right-winger Chris Hulit said. "We've got three wins in a row now. We've got two rounds under our belt.

Obviously, we're doing well. We're doing the little things well as a team and that's what's important." enced trio of Jason Spezza, Denis Hamel, and Antoine Ver-mette, and his 70 points gave him a two-point victory in the rookie scoring race over Thomas Vanek of Rochester. He's also starting to show that he's not just a regular-season wonder. He had a goal in Binghamton's 4-2 victory over the Wilkes-BarreScranton Penguins on Saturday night that gave the Senators a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. The third game is in Wilkes-Barre tonight.

But, what's truly surprising is that Bochenski was almost an afterthought in the 2003 See BOCHENSKI on PAGE D2 'cWOIjEt1 Senators' shooting star may be the real thing PETR DAVID JOSEK. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Gatineau native Derick Brassard reflects on Canada's 5-1 loss to the U.S. during the closing ceremonies of the world under-18 hockey championship yesterday In Pilsen, Czech Republic. Brandon Bochenski knows some still question his ability. Ironically, it's because of the excellent company he keeps, reports ALLEN PANZERI.

BINGHAMTON, New York Binghamton Senators left-winger Brandon Bochenski had an American Hock ey League season that rookies can only dream about With 34 goals and 36 assists, he was the fourth-leading scorer on the Senators, just behind the high-powered and experi and 141 penalty minutes in 39 games with the under-18 team this season. The unquestioned star of the United States team is Phil KesseL KesseL who isn't eligible for the NHL draft until 2006, scored two goals and two assists in yesterday's win and led all scorers with 16 points during the under-18 tournament. "He's unbelievable, he's something else," said Bailey. American goaltender Jeff Frazee was also outstanding in because of the NHL lockout The American national program, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, puts the country's top players together and includes a full slate of games against American college and university teams. The majority of players on the U.S.

squad were from the under-18 program. Bailey, a pesky, physical player noted for his ability to irritate opponents, registered one assist during the tournament. He had five goals, six assists 2004 ALERO A I I I I WDM 2004 HJ- the championship game, as Canada outshot the United States 48-33. The victory came with a black eye. With six minutes left in the third period, American Justin Mercier hit Colton Yellowhorn from behind and Yellowhorn's head went into the boards.

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