L'Horizon soars to OFSAA

BY SCOTT HADDOW

The L'Horizon Aigles girls' hockey team is living up to its moniker this season. The girls have soared like eagles to new heights, the likes of which have never been reached before by any team in the school's history.

Considered an A school with a student population of 400 kids, the girls' hockey team was the first varsity club to compete in the Division I league, against much bigger schools, and finished second overall in the regular season. They made it to the city finals before bowing out to Notre-Dame in two straight games. Then the real magic started for the Aigles. Notre-Dame took the A/AA route at NOSSA while L'Horizon was placed in the tougher AAA NOSSA bracket.

Despite being total underdogs, the Aigles surprised everyone by going 4-0 at the AAA NOSSA event and winning the championship, beating St. Joseph-Scollard Hall from North Bay 5-2 in the final. The win punched the Aigles ticket to the provincial championships.

The Aigles are currently at the AAA/AAAA OFSAA girls' hockey championship, which started on Monday in Pembroke and Petawawa. The championship concludes on April 2.

The Aigles are taking all the hype and high stakes games in stride while keeping their dreams realistic against the best schools in Ontario, many of which draw from a student population of 1,000 or more.

"We're stepping up to the highest level in Ontario and it's overwhelming for everyone," Frappier said. "We're all excited to just be there. It doesn't matter how we do as long as we have fun...and I'm sure we will."

L'Horizon is seeded 15th for the tournament. The coaching staff is pleased with the ranking and feel the team has achieved more already than anyone ever dreamed possible. Despite being slightly awe-struck at the prospects of competing in their first ever OFSAA event, the Aigles don't plan on getting slapped around by other teams.

"All my expectations have been surpassed already," head coach Paul Renuad said. "Even if we go and lose every game...so be it. A girls' team from L'Horizon has never before played in Division I competition, won a NOSSA banner or gone to an AAA/AAAA OFSAA event. It's all new to us. It's something great for such a small school. Just getting the experience of an OFSAA event is everything. We'll be competitive though...we should be in the games."

The Aigles would like to make some noise against the big schools by winning a few games. It's going to come down to how much heart and character the team can generate at the event.

"We're not going to get blown out...we can be really competitive," Frappier said. "I'm sure we can win one or two games if we really want it. It's all about wanting it bad enough and if we do, we can do anything."

The Aigles are a team which refuses to roll over and die for any squad, regardless of grim circumstances, rankings or scores.
"These players never let go," Frappier said. "If we're down in a game, they all just try harder...they never quit. We don't put ourselves down and always encourage everyone. We have a positive atmosphere. If somebody does get down, we all help to bring their spirits back up. We're like a big family...that plays hockey."

L'Horizon is going to lean on their bread-and-butter players such as Frappier, goalie Britny Burns and a strong supporting cast which features scorers Kelly Graff, Renee Delarosbil and Melissa McGiver.

"The line of (Frappier-Graff-McGiver) has been clicking well for us and they've been great to watch," Renaud said.
"Our goalie, Britny has been our little wall in net for us. She has been there for the team when we've needed her the most all season."