Bruins Lack Teeth, Goals in Rout By Buzzers 8-4
[ Pictures - Boxscore - Gamesheet ]

SEGUIN TWP - The St. Michael's Buzzers hit the road with their third bus trip this season and their first outing with the revived Parry Sound franchise, the Seguin Bruins.  The Buzzers have had trouble with northern bus rides so far this year, but Tuesday night in Seguin would result in a lopsided victory and would see the Bruins change out of their game jerseys and in to their practice colours for a vigorous post-game skate.

In the first period, the Buzzers would get on the board early with a goal from Tyson DIleo (Stephen Duffy) at 2:28.  The Bruins would put a late Halloween scare in to the Buzzers by scoring two consecutive goals and taking a two to one lead.  Freddie Cassiani would scare off the big bear without any help and netting the tying goal at 15:40.  With the bear in full retreat, Julian Zamparo (Mike McKenzie) would notch a goal with one minute and twenty-six seconds.

The Buzzers would blow open the game in the chilly Humphrey Community Centre in the second period with newly anointed Alternate Captain John Scrymgeour (Louie Caporusso, Tyler Sgro) leading the charge just seventeen seconds in.  Just over a minute later, Mike McKenzie (Andrew Rygiel, Brendan Smith) would combine for his first goal of the night and the Buzzers fifth.  Another four minutes off the clock and another goal by the Buzzers.  Richard Ryan (Harry Taylor, Angelo Asaro) would finally net one of his own after numerous missed opportunities and near misses.

The third period would pick up right where the second left off, with more Buzzers goals.  McKenzie (Aaron Dileo, Harry Taylor) would get his second of the night on the powerplay, just under three minutes in to the period, and then he would get the hat trick just two minutes later in another trademark shorthanded effort with Scrymgeour assisting in the penalty kill goal.  With the chasm between the Buzzers and Brunis now in place, the Bruins changed up the game and went physical, drawing the Buzzers in to a number of penalties and two fights with Rory Smith and Bruins Chris Zulaini locking up for the first tilt, then later in the period Angelo Asaro would drop the gloves with Bruins Tim Tierney.  The physical game plan for the Bruins would pay off with two goals before being sent to the change room for their to prepare for their post-game skate.

The Buzzers head to Aurora Friday night to take on the Tigers for Round two action of their north-south interlock games.  Game time in Aurora Friday night at the Aurora Community Centre is 7:30 PM.

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Round 1: Tigers over Buzzers 3-2 in Thriller
[ Pictures - Boxscore - Gamesheet - BuzzLive]

TORONTO (SMCS) - The big lights came on at SMCS Arena Sunday night as the Aurora Tigers and the St. Michael's Buzzers squared off in the first of their two game series this week.  Expectations surrounding the meeting of the two OPJAHL titans were high and the actual outcome of the game would prove to be just as exciting as billed.

In the first period, the Buzzers would come out a but sluggish with Buzzers Goaltender Kain Tisi stopping the onslaught of shots on goal from the Tigers.  The only goal in the period would come with just under two minutes left, when Tigers Josh McNair would get one past both Tisi and referee Price with a kicked-in goal.  With the goal counted and the game on, the Buzzers would leave the first period down by one.

The second period would start with the Buzzers on a full two minute penalty kill effort.  The PK unit would see lots of action in the second but would prove why it is one of the most effective in the league.  On their second PK effort of the period the Buzzers would notch their 12th shorthanded goal of the season when Freddie Cassiani (John Scrymgeour) would pick off the Tigers passing and shoot five-hole on Tigers goaltender Jeremie Dupont.  The penalty killing special team would get a workout towards the end of the period first killing off the majority of a five-minute major and then adding a two-man deficit with just 1:14 left on the clock.  With the Tigers powerplay all tied up - the period would end with the game knotted at one goal each.

Third period action would see the carryover of the two man advantage for the Tigers which the Buzzers would fully kill off without any additional scoring damage.  The Tigers would inflict some damage later on in the period by netting two goals and potentially sealing the game for the Buzzers.  Down by two, the Buzzers kicked it in to high gear in the last 1:30 - pulling Tisi from the net and taking the extra man advantage.  In exciting action in front of the net and a number of near-miss shots by Louie Caporusso, the Buzzers would eventually combine with 27 seconds remaining when John Scrymgeour (Mike McKenzie, Tyler Sgro) would combine in heavy traffic to bring it within one goal.  Additional scoring opportunities in the dying moments of the game would not pan out, with the game concluding with the final score of 3 to 2 for the Tigers.  The Tigers would outshoot the Buzzers 36-22 on the game highlighting the performance by Tisi between the Buzzers pipes.

This story is far from over however, both teams will meet again this coming Friday night in Aurora at the Aurora Community Centre at 7:30 PM.  Before that happens, the Buzzers will travel up to Parry Sound District to take on the reborn franchise there, the Seguin Bruins, in their first ever meeting on Tuesday night.  Game time in Seguin is 8:00 PM.  A map to the arena in Seguin can be found by clicking on the "Map" link in the next game banner above.  A special thanks go out to our friends at Aurora Cable Community Television for telecasting and providing the webcast feed for the game on Sunday night at SMCS Arena.  Your professionalism and support of Junior A hockey is greatly appreciated!

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Buzzers Blow Past Rangers  5-2
[ Pictures - Boxscore - Gamesheet - BuzzLive]

TORONTO (SMCS) - Returning home for the back end of the home and home stand against the North York Rangers, the St. Michael's Buzzers knew it was time to get back in to the win column and in a convincing way.  After the first few minutes it was clear the Buzzers would be breaking through the Rangers blue line defense and running the game their own way.

It wouldn't take the Buzzers long to set the tone for the night.  Breaking out early with offensive pressure, the Buzzers would get their first of the night when Richard Ryan (Mike McKenzie) would make a nice move in front of the net and catch Rangers goaltender Brumwell trying to close the door but just a little late.  Four minutes later the Buzzers would score again on their first of two shorthanded goals of the night.  The first goal would come when Rangers Chris Dixon would mishandle the puck in front of their net with Buzzers McKenzie and Scrymgeour on the shorthanded attack.  McKenzie would steal the puck from Dixon, take the shot with Scrymgeour scoring the goal on a redirect.  That would close out the scoring in the first period of play, with solid performances by both teams defensive corps would characterizing the remainder of first period action - the marquee effort there being the Buzzers killing off a two man disadvantage for well over a minute.

In the second period, the Buzzers would pick up offensively where they left off in the first period - on the fast attack in the Rangers defensive zone.  Eight minutes in to the period, the Buzzers attack would finally be rewarded with a goal. Mike McKenzie (Ryan, Cassidy Preston) would leave Rangers goaltender Brumwell rattled after McKenzie buried a tape-to-tape pass in front of the net high glove side.  Just under five minutes later, the Rangers would finally get a goal of their own and set the score for the close of the period at 3-1.

The third period kicked off with the Buzzers second shorthanded goal of the game.  This time McKenzie would take pass in the middle of the big M on the ice, and go in to the Rangers zone on the one-on-one with Brumwell.  McKenzie (Harry Taylor) would bury the puck again on Brumwell high glove-side with his second goal of the night.  The Buzzers would get on the scoreboard again eight seconds from the twelve minute mark when Brendan Smith (Scrymgeour, Zamparo) would unleash a shot from the point which Brumwell had almost no chance at stopping.  With just over a minute and a half remaining in the game, the Rangers would eek one more goal out to almost dead silence from the  SMCS arena.

Friday night's win against the Rangers set the stage for Sunday's premiere match up when the North Division's current number one, the Aurora Tigers meet the St. Michael's Buzzers for the first time this year in regular season action.  The 2005-2006 versions of both teams met in early pre-season action this past August where both teams went goal for goal and forced the game in to overtime action.  The Tigers would eventually be the winner of the exhibition game - but that game set the stage for what is sure to be exciting hockey action at SMCS Arena on Sunday starting at 7:00 PM.  Sunday's game will be carried on a tape-delay basis in Aurora (Aurora Cable TV Channel 10) starting at 9:30 PM and will be carried live on BuzzLive, the St. Michael's Buzzers webcast right here on stmichaelsbuzzers.com.  Sunday's game will be a co-production between Aurora Cable TV and the St. Michael's Buzzers.  Catch the game in person under the bright lights Sunday for the intense action or on BuzzLive and Aurora Cable Television!

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BuzzNotes: Trade Wheels Rolling, Wanted: Dog Pound

The St. Michael's Buzzers have started the trade wheels rolling in the last few days..first transaction sees 1987 Forward Craig Montgomery's rights being traded to the Western Division Oakville Blades for future considerations.  Craig played a split role with the Buzzers in 2004-2005 moving between the Buzzers and the St. Michael's Majors.  The Buzzers wish him all the best successes with his new team.  Friday night sees the North York Rangers coming to SMCS Arena for the back half of the current home and home series with the Buzzers.  The Buzzers are calling on the Dog Pound to be in full effect Friday night to help turn the tide on the short slide the Buzzers have been on since Sunday...get out to the game Friday night and make some noise...and support your Buzzers!

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Uptown Rival Rangers Ride Roughshod over Buzzers 5-3
[ Pictures - Boxscore - Gamesheet ]

NORTH YORK, ON - The St. Michael's Buzzers kicked off the front half of a home and home stand against the North York Rangers Wednesday night at the North York Centennial Arena to a disappointing 5-3 loss to the Rangers.  The Rangers would execute an excellent defense against the Buzzers effectively locking the Buzzers out of any significant offensive pressure.  With the Rangers knotting up the play in the neutral zone, the Buzzers found themselves hard-pressed to apply the offensive power needed to capture the win.

The Buzzers offense would be completely stymied in the first period, being held scoreless even with four power play opportunities.  The Rangers would not be so hamstrung scoring one goal on the power play and one even strength to take an early two - nothing lead over the Buzzers.

The second period would see the Buzzers overcome the defensive hurdles set by the Rangers and score a pair of their own goals.  The first goal would come 12:43 in to the period when Freddie Cassiani (Brendan Smith, Richard Ryan) would open up the scoring for the Buzzers on their only even-strength goal of the night and Cassiani's fifth of the season.  The Rangers would notch another goal of their own before the Buzzers would advance the scoreboard. This time Julian Zamparo (Cassiani) would let a shot go from the point and score with the Buzzers having a two-player advantage.

Into the  third period the Buzzers would get three more power play opportunities and would capitalize on only one of those, when Mike McKenzie (Louie Caporusso, John Scrymgeour) would pick up the puck in the slot and shoot it home for his nineteenth goal of the season.  Prior to that happening, however, the Rangers would tally two more markers to amass their final score of five goals on twenty-three shots.

The Buzzers now look to recover from their two-game slide as they return home to the SMCS Arena on Friday night to face the North York Rangers in the back-half of the home and home series.  Game time Friday night is 7:30 PM with the BuzzLive webcast kicking off shortly before the puck drops.  In person at the SMCS Arena or virtually live on BuzzLive, all the action starts with the St. Michael's Buzzers Friday night...

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Attack Retreats, Snakes Bite, Buzzers Spilt Weekend 1-1
Ajax [ Pictures - Boxscore - Gamesheet ]
Vaughan [ Pictures - Boxscore - Gamesheet ]

TORONTO (SMCS) - Sunday night wrapped up a wild swing for the Buzzers in OPJAHL action.  Starting off the weekend, the Buzzers took on the Ajax Attack in the historic SMCS Arena.  The Buzzers would send the Attack on the retreat turning them back 14-3 in a one-sided effort.  Scoring for the Buzzers were Louie Caporusso  (2 goals/4 assists), Mike Forgione (2 goals/2 assists), Cassidy Preston (2 goals/2 assists), Andrew Rygiel (2 goals/2 assists), Mike McKenzie (2 goals), Richard Ryan (1 goal), Brendan Smith (1 goal/1 assist), John Scrymgeour (1 goal/2 assists), John Man (1 goal, 1 assist), Harry Taylor (1 assist), Julian Zamparo (1 assist), Lou Santelli (2 assists) and Mike Hossack (1 assist).  Goaltender Mike Binnington would rack up his fourth win in six starts.

Sunday's game would tell a different story - the Buzzers have split home games with the snakes so far this season and the Buzzers hoped they would be able to inject some anti-venom into their game on Sunday.  Early in the game, Mike McKenzie (Louie Caporusso) would start the scoring in the game picking up the loose puck in the slot and shooting past Vipers goaltender Martin on the powerplay.  The Vipers would get their turn in the PP and get one of their own goals to tie it up.  Closing off the period the Vipers would add another to take the score to 2-1 in favor of the snakes. 

In the second period, there would be a scoring bonanza starting at 4:36 in.  First off the Vipers would net two goals in just under one minute.  Freddie Cassiani would take on the role of snake charmer for the Buzzers and net two goals of his own in just 44 seconds.  Cassiani would team up with Cassidy Preston on the first goal and then again with Preston and Andrew Rygiel.  The Vipers would get the last two laughs of the night on two more goals and setting up for a scoreless third period.

Although the third period was scoreless, the box staff would be kept busy tallying the penalties that were handed out.  Ten stoppages of play would be the result of the defensive play in the third period with lots of behind-the-play action keeping the officials heads on a constant pivot.

The Buzzers and Vipers next meet in Vaughan in mid-December to renew their rivalry.  First off though, the Buzzers face their uptown foes, the North York Rangers for this first time this season.  Kicking off the home and home stand, the Buzzers will take on the Rangers in North York's Centennial Arena Wednesday night at 7:00 PM and then right back at SMCS Arena on Friday night at 7:30 PM. More exciting St. Michael's Buzzers hockey action on the horizon!

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BuzzNotes: Game Day, Buzzers in the News!

The St. Michael's Buzzers play host to the Ajax Attack tonight at the SMCS Arena.  Game time is 7:30 PM...this is the first visit to the hallowed halls of St. Mike's this season.  Two news items today...first up the Buzzers have made quite the splash at Chris Heisenberg's NCAA Hockey Recruits Blog.  Former Buzzer Matt Halischuck is also getting some current press on his recent successes in playing for the OHL St. Michael's Majors.  Check out his news in our News Archive...Tonight the game is on...check it out in person at SMCS Arena or on the Internet on BuzzLive by clicking on the Webcast link up in the banner on this page!

BuzzNotes: Grad Watch, News, BuzzLive

It seems our grads are getting the feel for the Grad Watch section of our site with three days and three new posts.  Check out the missives from our grads on the Grad Watch section...From the category 'when it rains it pours' this weekend finally broke the dry spell for former Buzzer turned Wolverine Andrew Cogliano.  Cogliano scored 2 goals and 2 assists in action this past Sunday against Merrimack.  Those goals would be Cogliano's first NCAA goal, first NCAA game winner and first powerplay goal.  Merrimack would also hand another Buzzer their first goal - Kevin Schmidt would notch his first NCAA goal against the traveling Warriors on Friday night and then pull in a pair of assists from Boston College on Saturday night.    I'm sure Schmidty thought we forgot him,...but we are looking pal, because we know you are too!...back to Cogliano...it seems he left his lucky stick at home...in an article in USCHO.com he talks about getting his parents to bring the stick he last used with the Buzzers down to help him out...seems to have worked....check out the full article in the News Archive...Last Sunday's archived broadcast of BuzzLive is now up in our Live Events Section...next show will be this Friday night when commentators Al Pavone  and Vic Simone will take you through another exiting Buzzers game!  This time the Ajax Attack come to the big show at SMCS Arena.  Game time Friday night is 7:30 PM.

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Buzzers, Waxers Draw Tie in 2-2 Battle
[ Pictures - Boxscore - Gamesheet ]

TORONTO (SMCS) - The top two teams in the OPJAHL South Division squared off under the big lights at St. Michael's College School Arena Sunday night in a highly anticipated rematch.  Both the Buzzers and Waxers were coming off disappointing losses on Friday night to lesser ranked teams - and it was sure to be a night where both teams wanted to get back in the win column.

The Buzzers would start the scoring in the first period at just under the ten minute mark when Mike McKenzie (Louie Caporusso) would go high glove side past Waxers goaltender Russell.  After some post-goal pleasantries were exchanged by the players the game continued with the remainder of the first period scoreless, but chock full of penalties for both teams.

The second period would pick up right where the first ended with more intense physical play.  That intensity would net Markham a goal, but would also cost them a penalty which the Buzzers converted in to a goal of their own on the power play.  Just 34 seconds in to the PP John Scrymgeour (Harry Taylor, Aaron Dileo)  would find the back of the net and take the Buzzers up 2-1.  More post goal festivities by the Waxers would net them another penalty and send the Buzzers PP unit back in to action.  This time out the Buzzers would not convert the opportunity.  Late in the second period the Buzzers would take a call that needs a second look at the video but ultimately would give the Waxers the tying goal on the power play.

The third period would remain scoreless in end-to-end action which would then kick the game over in to a five-minute overtime.  In our shootout free world, the intensity in the OT frame presented a number of opportunities for the Buzzers to score which none could be realized.  The game ending seconds gave way to a recognition that the match up of these two teams was far from over and guaranteed to prove exciting as the season wears on.

The Buzzers get a few days to rest and recover and prepare for the next game, this Friday night for another game at the SMCS Arena.  Friday's game will see the Ajax Attack take on the Buzzers with game time starting at 7:30 PM.  This game will also be broadcast on BuzzLive.  Be sure to catch all the St. Michael's Buzzers excitement live at SMCS Arena or on BuzzLive...

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BuzzNotes: Pictures, Cherry Video, Grad Watch, Big Game

If you were looking for pictures, we have yet another picture filled update for you starting with pictures from the Buzzers Championship Banner Ceremony and then pictures from Friday's game in Couchiching...As promised, we now have a copy of the Coach's Corner from October 8 where Don Cherry mentions the Buzzers and Andrew Cogliano.  Check out the Multimedia section for those first three items...Speaking of Andrew, he posted a message in the Grad Watch on Saturday afternoon. Perhaps Sunday will be the day both Andrew and the Buzzers break out of the rut - we all play for the M...Saturday night was the 1 vs 2 contest in the West Divison, Saturday is the South version of the same game.  The #2 Buzzers take on the South's number 1, the Markham Waxers, at 7:00 PM at SMCS Arena.  This game will be webcast live to the Internet on BuzzLive.  Catch the game in person or on the 'net by clicking on the webcast link in the banner, above....in any case...

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Black Friday: Top Three South Teams Upset Friday Night
[ Pictures - Boxscore - Gamesheet ]

RAMA, ON - If you had selected the top three south division teams in the OPJAHL Fan Forum 'South Pool' to win Friday night, you're probably not doing so well this week after just one night of play.  In just a couple of hours, St. Michael's, Markham and Vaughan would all fall to defeat to lesser ranked teams.  Vaughan would fall victim to the North Division's last-place Huntsville Muskoka Otters 4-2 while St. Michaels would also fall 4-2 to another North Division team, the Couchiching Terriers.  In South Division only actions, the Wexford Raiders would take the Waxers 3-2. 

In Buzzers action, the Buzzers captured two goals on the night, both coming in the third period.  Kicking off the scoring for the Buzzers after two Terriers goals was Louie Caporusso (Richard Ryan, Mike McKenzie) at 4:29.  After one more Terrier goal, the Buzzers would get their final goal of the night on a shot by Julian Zamparo (Fred Cassiani, Cassidy Preston). 

The Buzzers return to action Sunday night in a highly anticipated meeting between the first place Markham Waxers and the second place St. Michael's Buzzers.  Game time at SMCS Arena is 7:00 PM.  This game will be broadcast on BuzzLive, - with a combined video and audio commentary.  Check back here just before the game for the live feed.  Speaking of feed: the St. Michael's Buzzers wish to thank their friends at Tops in Pizza in Orillia for cooking up the good eats for the Bus ride back to Toronto.  If you're in Orillia and want some great food, stop in on Memorial Drive.

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BuzzNotes: HNIC, More Press, NCAA Kickoff (updated)

Another quick blast of BuzzNotes this Thursday afternoon...Hockey Night in Canada hit the air for the first time since June 2004 this past Saturday and the St. Michael's Buzzers and Andrew Cogliano figured prominently into Don Cherry's Coach's Corner.  We're working on getting the clip and getting it right here for you on stmichaelsbuzzers.com - check back for it this weekend....More press out there on the wire about our team and grads.  First off was an article that appeared on Bowling Green's website about their intra-squad game and ex-Buzzer Kevin Schmidt scoring the winning goal.  Next up is former Buzzer Wojtek Wolski netting his first NHL career goal.  Following up on that is an article that appeared in the National Post about how the new NHL rules have changed draft prospects.  Focusing in on how that impacted Andrew Cogliano and his draft stock in this past summer's NHL Entrry Draft...This past weekend kicked off the 2005-2006 NCAA Hockey Season the Buzzers wish the very best to all of our team that's taking to the NCAA ice for the first time (Cogliano, Schmidt, Lozzi, Gershon, Potacco) and all the guys who have been there before - we know you're checking up on us, and we're all keeping track of you!  The St. Michael's Buzzers travel to Rama Friday night to take on the Couchiching Terriers - game time is 7:30 PM...update will flow right from here with updates courtesy of Pointstreak!...late breaking update...another article appeared in the local Metroland newspaper "Inside Toronto" Friday afternoon.  The full article covering the string of 'come from behind' games is in our News Archive section.

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St. Michael's Buzzers Shatter Records Against Legionaires 8-3
[ Pictures - Boxscore - Gamesheet ]

OSHAWA, ON - Tuesday night's match-up between the St. Michael's Buzzers and the Oshawa Legionaires started off  like any other game, but before the night was through it would appear that two Junior A records may have been set. 

In the first period, Fred Cassiani would combine with Cassidy Preston and Richard Ryan down in front of the Legionaires net and bang in the Buzzers first goal of the night just under two minutes in.  Cassidy Preston (Brendan Smith, Stephen Duffy) would repeat the first goal from the other side of the net this time on the power play at 7:18.  The Legionaires would strike back with their own power play goal just three seconds after the puck dropped.  Stung by the last goal, the Buzzers would produce the closing goal of the period when Brendan Smith (Angelo Asaro, Richard Ryan) would net a goal to go with his assist on the previous Buzzers goal.

A scoreless second period would be the calm before the storm.  Both teams would exchange a set of unusual penalties before heading off and in to the third period. 

At the opening of the third act, it looked and sounded like the Legionaires were primed to take the game from the Buzzers - and their opening display produced a goal just over four minutes in to bring the Legion within one goal of tying it up.  A partially offsetting double minor penalty to the Buzzers looked to be the room the Legionaires would need to tie it up.  Unfortunately for the the Legionaires, their defensive corps would go AWOL on their goaltender and what happened next was nothing short of incredible.  In just under the two minutes that the Buzzers would be on the penalty kill, the Buzzers would score four  goals on the Legionaires.  The first three goals would be scored as a natural hat-trick by Mike McKenzie...at 6:18 (John Scrymgeour)...at 6:27 (Scrymgeour, Aaron Dileo)...at 6:50 (Preston).  That natural, 32 second, partially shorthanded hat trick by McKenzie appears in all circumstances to be a Canadian Junior A record - which is being verified.  The fourth  goal came at 7:46 when Stephen Duffy (Andrew Rygiel, Louie Caporusso) would get their own short handed effort with just eleven seconds remaining in the penalty kill.  That fourth shorthanded goal in the same penalty killing effort is also believed to be a record for the most shorthanded goals in one penalty.  That record is also being verified.  Video of the four goals will be available from the Buzzers' Multimedia section of their web site later this week.  After being dismantled on their last power play, the Legionaires would get the last goal of the game, with just 2:19 left in regulation.  Getting his second win in as many games, Mike Binnington advances his record to 3-1-1.

The Buzzers get a few days to prepare for their next game, this time against the North Division Couchiching Terriers on Friday night before returning home for the game of the weekend against the Markham Waxers on Sunday night.

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