ACS shuts out SJC 4-0 in final
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The Assumption College Lions picked the perfect time to hand the St. John’s College Green Eagles their first loss of the AABHN boys hockey season.
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Going up against the previously undefeated Eagles in the final on Thursday at the Gretzky Centre, the Assumption (10-1-1) shut out St. John’s (8-1-3) 4-0 to claim the Athletic Association of Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk championship.
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“It feels amazing,” Assumption’s Owen Townsend said. “The last couple of years we didn’t have great seasons.
“That was probably the hardest fought game for us. We played really well.”
After losing to the Eagles 3-1 on Dec. 14, the Lions were able to earn a 1-1 tie against SJC on Feb. 15. Townsend said one of the differences on Thursday was having all hands on deck.
“We had a full roster this time and whole new lines,” he said. “We also had a couple of extra guys so we were able to rotate through the lines.”
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Right from the opening faceoff the Lions went to work, dominating play early on.
Just 1:30 into the game, ACS had a 2-on-0 but on a shot from Rashaad Eichenberg, SJC goalie Ben Ellis made the save to keep the game scoreless.
Ellis, who was tested with some tough shots on several occasions in the first period, then made stops on Colton Curtain and Gavin List before finally being beat.
With 5:38 remaining in the period and the Lions on a power play, Will Rowe fed Townsend who was able to put the puck past Ellis.
The Eagles were lucky not to be down more than one goal going into the second but they eventually found themselves down 2-0 late in the period.
Taking a pass from Rowe out front, Kayden Gardner was able to score to double the ACS lead.
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St. John’s did have a 2-on-1 opportunity after that but on a pass from Christian Ligori, Joseph Pizzzoferrato couldn’t convert past ACS goalie Adam Bednarz.
SJC got a five-on-three early in the third but after a penalty to an Eagles player, the Lions killed off the resulting four-on-three.
Assumption then sealed the win with a pair of empty-net goals from Curtain and Averee Sault. Assists on those goals went to Gardner and Nick Rego.
Following the two goals into the empty net, the Lions made some gestures that upset the Eagles and Townsend said it was part of the battle the two schools have always had.
“There’s always a rivalry with us between Catholic schools, same as in football,” he said. “We always want to beat them when we can.”
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The Lions now advance to the Central Western Ontario Secondary Schools Association AAA championship in Elmira on March 4 and 5.
“It’s a brand new experience,” said Townsend, who said he doesn’t think there’s anyone on the team that has played at the CWOSSA hockey tournament.
“We just want to come out and play hard.”
Other members of Assumption’s championship team not already mentioned include Ethan Bell, Matt Maclean, Blake Fennell, Spencer Wilfong, Aiden Kral, Wilson Silva, Nathan DaSilva, William Bryce, Richard Sinclair, Jake Gammon, Jack Ferras, Caleb Rudlin, Connor O’Neill, Lorenzo Tuori and coaches Mike Bednarz, Vincenzo Prior and Trevor Hare.
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