By Keith Lacey
When the players on the Paul Lizotte Fuels Wolves have children , theyÂ?ll likely be telling them stories from the 2001-02 hockey season.
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The Wolves finished a season for the ages last weekend in Sault Ste. Marie winning the All-Ontario Atom AA championship.
After winning four close gamesÂ?3-2 against a tough Mississauga Braves club, 3-2 over Chatham Cobras, 2-1 over the host Sault Ste. Marie club and a 3-1 win over Chatham once again in the semi-finalÂ?the Wolves captured the championship in convincing style whipping the Mississauga Braves 5-2 to claim the provincial championship.
Deven Stillar led the way for the Wolves scoring six goals in the tournament, including a hat-trick in the game that mattered most.
The All-Ontario title finishes off a truly remarkable season for the Wolves. The team compiled a brilliant record of 76-4-2 in regular season, playoff and tournament action.
Manager Gil Labelle said he and the coaching staff, led by head coach Bryan Verrault, recognized they had a strong club during training camp.
Â?We knew we had a bunch of awesome kids both on and off the ice, but to win it all is something you can never plan for or count on,Â? said Labelle. Â?The kids just played so well all year.Â?
Besides winning the local league and Northern Ontario Hockey Association championship, the Wolves captured tournaments in Timmins, North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie as well as the Silver Stick regional title in Sudbury.
A lot of the credit has to go to Verrault and assistant coach Willy Montpellier, trainers Peter Draper and Dan Draper, said Labelle.
The Paul Lizotte Fuels Wolves roster includes Stillar, T.J. Pugliese, Serge Brouillette, Al Valiquette, Matty Lecours, Kent Valliant, Brendan Roy, Calin Beaudette, Jeff Verrault, Jordan Mills, Kyle Tarini, Brandan Labelle and Vern Cooper.
