BY SCOTT HADDOW
The Lasalle Secondary School senior boys'
hockey team doesn't mind making sacrifices for the sake of
winning.
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The Lasalle Secondary School senior
boys' hockey team have become true road warriors as
they attempt to win a provincial championship. |
The squad has been taking frequent road trips
across North America in an attempt to hone their competitive
edge as the provincial championships draw near.
Recently, the team made their way to
Burlington for the Bur Bear Tournament.
A heavy snowfall greeted them as they quickly
stowed their gear into the back of an ordinary yellow school
bus.
The players are used to taking a fancier
motor coach with ample legroom, better heaters and more
comfortable surroundings. Even with the prospect of grim road
conditions and less-than-appealing transportation, the players'
spirits can't be broken.
"Yes, we're taking the loser cruiser to this
tournament," joked team captain Rob McKnight. "It's alright
though...we are all willing to do what it takes to win."
The Lancers won two tournaments already, but
lost in the quarter-final in the Burlington event.
Lasalle has been absolutely manhandling the
opposition so far this season.
Lasalle has a Sudbury league record of 13-0.
Wonderful chemistry, a stingy defence and a potent offence have
contributed to the impressive record.
Overall, the Lancers have a 31-2 record,
including tournaments. Lasalle features no less than nine
players from the Sudbury Titans 2004-05 program and has fired
home a whopping 106 goals for, while only allowing 15 goals
against.
"Our overall talent has been the reason for
our success," said head coach Chris Matthews. "We have a lot of
skill and great skaters on the team. Our team concept of
commitment to defence has also helped. We're allowing less than
a goal per game, so when you do that, you're going to win a lot
of
games."
Despite also having numerous former AAA
players and the heavy influx of Titans, Matthews has had no
problems with getting everyone to buy into the team
concept.
"It's taken a bit as guys are fitting into
their roles," said the bench boss. "The guys realize now what
it takes for us to win and they're all willing to make
sacrifices for the overall betterment of our team."
The road trips have paid big dividends.
"Our end goal is to win the city
championships, then NOSSA...And then OFSAA," said Matthews.
"Playing in the out-of-town tournaments really gives us a good
indication of where we are in the province. As we've come back
from tournaments, I've seen the guys have become better. The
more tournaments we play, the more competitive teams we play,
the better we will be at the end of the season."
The Lancers are relishing their road
trips.
"Not too many high school teams in the north
do this," said right winger Shane Neeley. "We always have fun
playing in these tournaments. Our record speaks for itself.
We're getting good experience...That, hopefully, will help us
in the future."
Chemistry developed with other teams has
really made the Lancers an offensive and defensive
juggernaut.
"A lot of us gelled a long time ago," said
centre Corey Jerome. "A lot of us have been playing together
for the last eight years. We make good plays together, we can
put the puck in the net, we have great goaltending and a solid
defence. Playing in the tournaments has showed us where we
stand in Ontario and we proved we can play with some of the
harder teams in the province."
Many players have already experienced
provincial pressure, which should, again, help the club.
"Everyone, mostly, has been to an Ontario
championships event at some point in their career already, so
hopefully that experience will help us have a long run," said
McKnight.
