Page 22 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 129

22 Issue #129 October 2023 www.sportsenergynews.com

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Akwesasne Thunder at the Founders Cup

By Victoria Klassen

he Akwesasne Junior B Thunder
TLacrosse Team brought home
silver from the Founders Cup. The
2023 Founders Cup was held in Port
Coquitlam, British Columbia, from
August 14-19.
The Akwesasne Thunder team
plays in the far east division of the
Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League
(OJBLL). The team is made up of
players aged 21 and under from
Akwesasne, Cornwall, SDG Region,
and surrounding areas.
During the Founders Cup, the
Akwesasne Thunder fought their way
to the gold medal game against the
Edmonton Warriors.
“After losing the first two games Photo Submitted
of the Founder’s Cup, Akwesasne
Thunder knew they had to win in Thompson. Edmonton scored two loss comes with some good as we to the Second Team All Star.
order to give them the best chance of more goals, winning the game 9-7. now know the feeling of losing in Sakaronhiotane Thompson, Stone
still making the gold medal game,” Akwesasne Thunder Goaltender the National Championship, a feeling Chubb, Hawi Francis, Ryan Oakes
said Turner Thomas, general manager Sakaronhiotane Thompson finished that we would like to be on the other Jr, and Takaronhiotakie Thompson all
of Akwesasne Thunder. “Akwesasne the game with 32 saves. side of next year. Players, staff, and won player of the game throughout
Thunder shined and began to play “Winning silver is still a huge management are excited for the years the tournament.
like the team that won the Ontario accomplishment to our team. Our to come, and we are really looking The Thunder had an exciting journey
Championship.” forward to getting back on the floor to the Founders Cup. The team finished
team was able to represent Akwesasne next year.”
In the gold medal game against the at the national stage and were able to 11-9 in the regular season, while
Edmonton Warriors, Akwesasne took compete with the best in Canada,” Akwesasne last won gold at the finishing sixth in the regular season of
a 4-1 lead after the first period, with said Thomas. “Akwesasne has Founders Cup in 2015, in an overtime the Eastern Conference. Akwesasne
goals by Trysen Sunday, Zack Gignac, always supported this team, and the win. Thunder ended up winning the
and Tahanokatha Elijah. Edmonton boys were able to play and bring This year, Hawi Francis won Eastern Conference Championship—
went on a 5-0 run in the second period, good medicine to our community. Offensive Player of the Tournament the Colby Hancock Memorial
taking a 6-4 lead. The Thunder battled Our players are grateful that the and Vance Adams won Defensive Trophy. The team then faced the Six
during the third period, tying the game community and surrounding areas Player of the Tournament. They Nations Rebels and won the Ontario
at 7-7, with goals by Zack Gignac, are able to give us the support to be were also named to the First Team Championship in order to represent
Trysen Sunday, and Takaronhiotakie able to attend the Founders Cup. The All Star. Ryan Oakes Jr was named Ontario in the Founders Cup.