BY SCOTT HADDOW
The girls of the ESC Champlain Requins hockey
team have become master chemists.
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After years of spinning their wheels in the
lower end of the standings in the high school loop, and never
winning a banner of any kind, the Requins are having their best
season ever.
ItÂ's all due to great team chemistry and an
explosive offence.
In its first eight games, the squad went a
perfect 8-0-0 and gave opposing teams nightmares by piling up
57 goals for and producing three scorers in the Top 6. The
Requins are in first place in the Division II standings.
Â"Team chemistry is really up this year and
we have a lot of fresh talent that has helped,Â" said
third-year head coach Justin Jodouin. Â"A lot of players have
improved, they are more competitive and want to keep winning.
They know they have a chance to win a championship, so theyÂ're
really trying to do it.Â"
One of the main reasons Champlain has been
doing so well has been the brilliant play of rookie Julie
Hebert, who netted 22 goals in her first eight games, along
with 30 points in just six games.
Hebert, a Grade 9 student, is happy to help
out and make the Requins a winner.
Â"It means a lot to this team to be
winning,Â" said Hebert. Â"We have to keep working hard and not
quit. We want to win a title.Â"
The girls are proving to themselves and
others, theyÂ're already champions.
Â"The players have shown that if you donÂ't
give up and keep at something, youÂ'll be rewarded,Â" said
Jodouin. Â"TheyÂ're all working together for this and
understand each otherÂ's talents. We want to win (cities) and
possibly go to NOSSA. WeÂ're not a big school or considered a
top team this year, so it says a lot about our hockey program
here and the people involved.Â"
Bonds formed on and off the ice have given
spark to the team.
Â"I am proud of this team,Â" said third-year
player and team captain Jenelle Laurin. Â"A big part of our
team strategy was coming together as a team. We keep in touch
away from games as well...ItÂ's big for us.Â"
Team manager Luc Lalonde knows the time is
now for the Requins to establish themselves as the best.
Â"We have the key players this year,Â" said
Lalonde. Â"WeÂ're looking to win a banner, which would be the
first hockey banner in our schoolÂ's history...It
would be great to see that hanging in our
school. The charisma on the team is great...And we could go
far.Â"
