BY SCOTT
HADDOW
Win or lose this season, there has been one thing no opponent
has been able to take away from the St. Charles senior boys'
hockey team: their heart.
The Cardinals romped through the regular season, finishing
first in the city league. Unfortunately, they blew a
two-games-to-none lead in the city championship, and lost in
five games to Lasalle after a gut-wrenching 4-3 quadruple
overtime loss in Game 5.
Yet, the Cardinals picked themselves up off the floor and went
out and won the A/AA NOSSA Championship three days later by
beating West Ferris of North Bay 5-1 in that championship
final.
St. Charles is now in Oshawa ready to play for the OFSAA A/AA
provincial crown. The Cardinals are ranked ninth. They play
their first game today against the No. 1-ranked Bishop
Macdonell from Guelph at 2:30 pm.
Fans can follow the Cardinals online by going to
www.ofsaahockey2007.com
.
"This team doesn't give up," said head coach Rob Zanatta. "They
were down after losing the city championship, but bounced right
back and won NOSSA days later. "
The Cardinals know they are getting into a tough situation at
OFSAA, but also know they belong there.
"We saw and played some of the top teams in a North Bay
tournament," said Zanatta. "We beat some of those top
teams...we can be competitive with anyone and stand up against
the best in the province."
The players are anxious to sink their teeth into the
competition.
"It means a lot to us to be able to represent Northern Ontario
and try and be the best in Ontario," said defenceman Jordan
Mills. "We had a solid season...we got this far by everyone
being dedicated and knowing their roles. At NOSSA, we learned
if we play our game, and play it hard every shift, we can have
success. We want to advance to the playoffs and show everyone
what kind of players Northern Ontario has."
St. Charles needs to keep the right frame of mind.
"We want to redeem ourselves for losing in the city
championship," said centre Curtis Lammi. "We have a lot of
heart.
When we think we can do anything, and go out and play with that attitude, we can compete with any team in the province.
"The momentum from winning NOSSA is still there...we're ready
to compete hard."
