BY SCOTT
HADDOW
The Notre-Dame Alouettes girls' hockey team has never struck
gold at the OFSAA level despite four trips in the last four
seasons to the high school provincial championships. (They
enjoyed a silver in 2006, but it's as close as they've come.)
Realizing gold isn't the determining motivating factor for the
team. There's something near and dear to their hearts which is
propelling their drive to be the best in Ontario at the A/AA
level.
"The motivation for our team right now, and all season, is the
memory of Lise Davis," skilled defender Josee Belanger said.
"She's our coach's wife who passed away from cancer this
season. She was passionate about the team...she loved being
around the team. We want to win for her. We want to do it for
her...that's our motivation and it's a good one."
The Alouettes earned their right to compete at the A/AA OFSAA
championship by winning the A/AA NOSSA championship two weeks
ago, last beating Lively in the final 4-0. The OFSAA event
takes place in Pembroke and Petawawa from April 2 to 4.
Notre-Dame is the third seed at the tournament, which suits the
squad just fine.
"We're in a good position," head coach J.C. Davis said. "We're
all expecting great things this year...we have an exciting
team. I believe we can come back with a medal...maybe gold.
Last year, we had high hopes, but faced the best team in the
quarter final and lost 1-0. It wasn't our year. It could be our
time this year. Hopefully, there will be no heart breaks."
A good portion of the Alouettes team has extensive OFSAA and
provincial experience thanks to past OFSAA events and many
members playing for competitive club teams.
The experience should pay huge dividends at the big dance.
"Many of us play for two different teams at the high school and
club level, so we click well together because we practice
together so much," sniper Valerie Valiquette said. "We have a
lot of players with OFSAA experience so they know what to
expect and know what it takes to have success."
The coaching staff is impressed with the way the girls have put
all the pieces together this season and how they're peaking at
the right time of the season.
"The girls are pumped for this," assistant coach Denis Piquette
said. "They've had the taste of a silver and bronze, but never
gold and that's their objective. We have a solid defence,
excellent goaltending, two strong centres and a good group of
wingers. Everyone is able to chip in and they have great
chemistry on and off the ice. They all give everything they
have and have the ability to step up their game even more."
Health is paramount at this point of the season for any hockey
team. The Alouettes were without one of their best players for
the NOSSA A/AA championship. Belanger was noticeably absent
from NOSSA as she healed from a freak injury incurred while on
vacation in the Dominican during March break.
"I stepped on a sea urchin and I got venom in my foot,"
Belanger said. "I couldn't play and it was tough to sit by and
watch. I'm healthy now and really looking forward to playing
with the girls again."
The Alouettes are aiming for gold. Hoisting the championship
banner would mean the world to the team which has been trying
furiously for the last four years to get the job done.
"We want to go all the way," Valiquette said. "I believe we can
do it. It's a lot tougher competition so there will be no easy
games. We have to start strong in each game and keep it up.
It's going to take a lot of team-work and strong communication
and we all have to have positive thoughts."
Win or lose, the Alouettes are going to give every team they
meet the fight of their lives.
"We can compete with any team in the province," Davis said.
"All of our team is going to OFSAA and that's a big positive
for us and they're ready. We could go a long way if our
power-play keeps working and they keep passing the puck the way
they're capable of...we also have to score on our
opportunities."
