Page 24 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 17

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SLC Sharks Fighting For The Challenge Cup

By Erynn Henry

t’s nearing the end of the season for
Ithe St. Lawrence College-Cornwall
(SLC) Sharks men’s and women’s
hockey teams.
It’s no secret that they have been
playing their hearts out, wanting
to represent the college as well as
the city of Cornwall the best they
can. Both teams truly have done a
tremendous job making it all the way

to the Challenge Cup finals.
Behind every great team there are
great coaches leading them to victory.
Head coach Sean Boulerice and
assistant coach Michael Pettinella are
the masterminds responsible for the
talented young women and men who
have banded together this year.
Front row, from left: Amber Lapierre, Annie Young, Jenay Morin, Michaela Smith, Mackie Thomson, Stephanie
“We are so proud of both teams Seguin
(men’s & women’s) for qualifying,” Back row, from left: Mike Pettinella (coach), Hailey Wheeler, Julie Curtis, Lacey Taylor-Payne, Sara
said Pettinella, adding that, “all Hutchingame, Tosha Weston, Cait Champagne, Roberta Mamakwa, Kat Emmell, Sean Boulerice (coach)
of the players are looking forward Submitted Photo
to representing SLC and the city
of Cornwall in these provincial
championships!”
Earning a spot in the rankings that
would allow a team into the Challenge
Cup is no easy task. This season the
men’s team ended up in the twelfth
and final spot while the women’s

team grabbed third out of fourteen
teams. Once you get there, however,
anything is possible.

“The benefit of both of our teams
is depth,” says Boulerice. “We have
strong goaltending, steady defense
and three lines on each team that can
put the puck in the net.”
The men fought bravely during the
weekend of March 20-21, opening
strongly with a 2-1 shootout win over Front row, from left: Eric Mantha, Quinn MacDonnell, Mike Pettinella (coach), Mitch Lefebvre, Sea Boulerice

George Brown (ranked fifth) and next (coach), Kevin Veilleux, Ryan Cooper
taking on Fanshawe, ranked first, and Back row, from left: Jayden Lemire, Rudy VanBeilen, Eric Evans, Dylan Casselman, Yan Rochon, Jacob

losing a tough game 3-2. The win Dawson, Justin Rutley, Jacob Lafleche, Brandon Gilmore, Nathan Sanseverino
Missing: Colin Allaire, Evan Smits, Dustin Sinclair, Matt Dixon Submitted Photo
over George Brown secured them
a playoff game against Lakehead “The tournament refl ected our the coaches, who are still hungry Georgian College, who ranks fi fth in
University, whom they outlasted 3-2 season as a whole in many different for a win, hoping the women’s team the province, on Thursday night and
in a shootout, advancing them into ways. We worked hard, won a tone will fair better. will than play against Sault College

the quarterfinals. It was a tough go, of battles, but the luck didn’t come on Friday morning. Depending on
playing against Redeemer University, our way in the elimination rounds. “We went into the men’s Challenge the results, this will determine if and
ranked fourth place in the province, Even after losing a though one in Cup feeling pretty good about when the Sharks will play again,
and the Sharks eventually succumbed ourselves,” said Boulerice. “There
the quarters, it didn’t take long for and against whom. This will be their
to a 1-0 loss, eliminating them from everyone to hold their heads up and was not one person on the bus that elimination round.
the rest of the tournament. did not feel that we had a chance of
celebrate an awesome season.”
winning. I feel the same about the While the men can now rest up for
“We played extremely well going There is clearly no keeping these girl’s chances. I like our chances!”
in as the final seed in the tournament. the summer, only time will tell us if

Sharks down, evening after coming the SLC Sharks women’s hockey
We played our best hockey, but fell off of a loss, they are still proud of The women’s team will be
short in the quarterfinals,” said Kevin their performance as a team, as are traveling to Orillia March 27 and team will bring home the Challenge

Veilleux, of the Sharks men’s team. 28, where they will open against Cup.