It didn't take long for the rowdy fans to realize the Lasalle Lancers and St. Charles College Cardinals came to play their hearts out in Game four of the senior boys' Division I hockey championship.
Within seconds of the opening face off at the Countryside Arena, a Lasalle defender crushed a St. Charles forward with a thunderous body check into the boards.
The resonating impact shook fans out of their seats and got them screaming for more.
It was a wild affair as both teams went end-to-end all game with many more hard hits, great plays and even a penalty shot.
In the end, Lasalle won 4-1 and won their third straight SDSSAA
Division I hockey title three games to one.
Nick Aaviku, with two goals including one on a penalty shot, Matt Golanski and Josh Graham scored for Lasalle.
Kyle Rick tallied the lone marker for St. Charles.
The Lancers haven't gotten used to winning the city Division I crown, despite the fact it was their third straight.
"It means a hell of a lot," Lasalle captain Nick Aaviku said. "I've been with the team all three years...and it feels great. We bonded together a lot and have a lot more focus in the dressing room at this time of the year."
The Lancers coaching staff was impressed with the team's resilience.
"In the first three games, we only lead for two minutes and 31 seconds," Lasalle head coach Chris Matthews said. "It wasn't much, but we stayed strong...I thought tonight's game was the best so far. We came through and our offence finally clicked. It was a great series."
The Lancers now move onto the NOSSA AAA Championship which will
be held in Greater Sudbury from March 25 to 26. The Cardinals
advance to the NOSSA A/AA Championship in North Bay, held on
the same days.
The Lancers will be out to beat the best teams in Northern Ontario now.
"We're off to bigger and better things," Aaviku said. "We're ready...we'll be gunning for all of them."
The league also dished out the hardware for top players. Here are the winners.
Most Sportsmanlike Player (tie) - Mike Keller (St Benedict), Brennan Doyle (Lasalle) and Shaun Jalbert (St Charles); Best Defenceman (tie) - Jordan Mills (St Charles), Andrew Peltomaki (Lasalle); Most Valuable Player (tie) - Matt Golanski (Lasalle), Jordan Andric (Lo-Ellen); Best Goaltender (voting) - Brett Gauthier (St Charles); Top Scorer - Matt Golanski (Lasalle); Best Goalies by Average - Brett Gauthier and T.J. Pugliese (St Charles) and MVP of the Playoffs - Nick Aaviku (Lasalle).
The Lasalle Lancers hoist the spoils of their city
Division I hockey championship.
