But the Mavericks refused to let that result in a total whitewash.

Out of the title picture after back-to-back losses Friday, Milton closed out round-robin play with a moral victory -- battling Midland to a 6-6 tie Saturday afternoon.

The short-staffed Mavericks continued to have trouble staying out of the box, but countered that with a gutsy overall effort -- which included strong showings from peewee call-ups Dylan Carter, Alex Martin and Nick Seadon.

Andrew Smith and Warren Mitchell led with two goals apiece, while chipping in singles were J.R. Sanderson and Mitch Rushton.

Brandon Bodiam and Courtney Whetham split the cage work.

Losing the Zone 8 'C' championship by a single goal last Wednesday -- falling 5-4 to Arthur's second-entry team -- the Mavericks were done in by penalties during their first two provincial games.

Twelve of the 14 goals scored against them came on the powerplay.

Hamilton 2 would strike eight times with the man-advantage to dump them 8-1.

Taylor Dredge was the lone marksman, scoring an unassisted goal midway through the opening frame

Milton would open the weekend with a 6-3 defeat at the hands of Nepean 2 -- holding its own through a penalty-filled tilt until three goals against in the final frame sealed the deal.

Dredge, Rushton and Matt Psenicka did the scoring, while drawing two assists was Dalton Campbell.