BY JASON THOMPSON
With a 16-0 win on Canada Day against the
Sault Ste. Marie Sabrecats, the Sudbury Northerners have proved
they can play as a team and achieve success in any game.
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Â"We know we can play with any team in the
league now,Â" said Northerners head coach Roger Sauve. Â"The
kids here are not intimidated anymore.Â"
With the Northerners holding a shaky 2-0
fourth quarter lead, the offence finally sprang to life scoring
a couple of touchdowns.
All the while the defense stood their ground
stopping the desperate play of the Sabrecats in their tracks as
they came close to tying the game on a couple of scoring
chances.
Â"It was an amazing game, our defense was
absolutely outstanding tonight,Â" said Sauve.
Â"I canÂ't say enough about the players
coming out and playing as hard as they could tonight. The
offence got going at the end and scored a couple of big
touchdowns.Â"
Defensive coach Ossie Wilson was also singing
the praises of the defensive line following their
performance.
Â"The defensive line played superb. We
couldnÂ't have done it if it wasnÂ't for the lines going
through and putting so much pressure on their
quarterback.Â"
Â"TheyÂ're starting to believe in
themselves,Â" said Wilson.
According to Sauve, a major factor in the win
was his playersÂ' ability to play in their natural positions
with the return of injured defensive lineman Patrick Sauve to
the line-up.
Â"Patrick came back and was able to let
players that we would have backed up in the next positions play
their positions.Â"
Â"Everybody in their natural positions played
outstanding.Â"
With their record knotted at 3-3 and their
second consecutive win under their belts the Northerners hope
they can continue the stellar play on the road against the
Niagara Spears on July 10.
Â"This puts us in a great spot for the
playoffs. WeÂ've got a couple more games to go and these guys
are playing hard.Â"
However, the Spears wonÂ't be pushover
following their win over the Wentworth Panthers last week
improving their record to 5-1.
