Page 14 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 27

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Dream of Winning Liftlock Becomes a Reality

By Johanne Sullivan Friday with a late afternoon start
against the Oro Thunder. Despite
he Seaway Valley Rapids
TMinor Atom Team travelled the travel to get there, the team
to Peterborough over the got off to a great start with a 7-1
weekend to compete in the 57th win. Saturday, however, was a
annual Peterborough Liftlock different story. The team got off to

Atom Hockey Tournament. a shaky start against the Lindsay
The tournament this year Muskies. Trailing 2-1 in the third

was comprised of 97 teams period, Braxton D’Alessio fired
spread over nine divisions and one off to tie it up with thirty-
was played in nine different nine seconds remaining. After
arenas. This tournament is one that close call, the team regained
of the oldest and largest atom its footing against the Brockville
tournaments in the province, and Braves and skated away with a

has many distinguished alumni 6-1 victory. The Rapids finished

such as Wayne Gretzky and Eric first in their group, moving them
Lindros. The Rapids competed on to the A championship for
their division.
in the top division for their age
bracket-- the C division-- which The team then had to face the
Glanbrook Rangers in the semi-
was split into five groups. The The Seaway Valley Rapids Atoms celebrate their Gold Medal .

higher levels are reserved for finals, a team that is mostly Submitted Photo
comprised of ten-year-olds. It
Major Atoms.
Throughout the competition the was a team that had only allowed had also won each tournament in the last minute of play. During
two goals during the tournament which they competed up until the power play, Sunday got the
Rapids played against teams with
a mix of nine and ten-year-olds. and had lost only four games this point. Needless to say, the game winner with twenty-four
during their regular season. They Rangers were a fi erce opponent, seconds remaining. He managed
The team began their journey
but the Rapids were ready for the to shoot it past the goalie off a
Brought to you by Scores challenge. Trysen Sunday scored pass from Ethan Montroy. Both

in the first period on a pass from teams played a great game, and
Athlete of the Month defenseman Josh Esford. The in the end, the fi nal score in the
Rapids were leading going championship game was 3-2 for
Name: Laura Grady into the second period, but the the Rapids.

School: Ecole Notre Rangers tied it up. Going into the
Dame du Rosaire School third period, with the game still While being interviewed
Crysler, On tied at 1, Sunday managed to get for the Peterborough Examiner
Team: NGS Atom B the game winner off a pass from after the game, head coach
Rep Braves Thomas Shoniker. This clinched Shawn Pilon stated: “I can quit
now that I’ve won the Liftlock.”
Laura Grady is thrilled to be back on the ice with her teammates. a berth in the championship for He went on to say: “I’ve had this
In late December Grady was hospitalized with appenadicitis and was sidelined for four weeks the Rapids.
after having her appendix removed during surgery. The 10-year-old defenceman returned to the ice [tournament] on my calendar since
for the first time at a power-skating session in which her club was participating in early January. The team was equally June when I got this job. I love

“It was a lot of fun,” she recalls. “I missed playing for my hockey team. When I was sick they sent
me a big box with lots of stuff like cards, soap, gum and other things in it. It meant a lot. They prepared to face the hometown this tournament and wanted to be
didn’t have to do that.” favourites—the Peterborough here. It’s a dream come true for
The Braves missed their teammate, on and off the ice.
“She’s very well positioned all the time,” says head coach Chris Leroux. “She skates hard and she Petes Minor Atom AA team. The me that our team put this together
listens. It’s so good to have her back.”
Grady, who also participates in swimming lessons at the Moose Creek pool and competes in ball game was scoreless going into and we got this win. I’m so proud

hockey in Crysler during the summer, is enjoying her first season of rep hockey this winter. the second period until Carey of the boys.” Coach Pilon realizes
“It’s fast,” she says. “I have good coaches. They tell us we have to make sure we attack right away
or (opposing players) are going to get right by you. My partner is Ethan Logtens usually. If a player Terrance, Jr. put one in the back the importance of the tournament
gets by me, he’s always there to help. I help him, too.” of the net. The Rapids were to players, parents and coaches.
Delivery Available leading by 1, but the Petes tied It is the fi rst time in the history

ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT it up until Sunday blasted one of the Liftlock tournament that
SOUP, SALAD AND FRUIT BAR past the goaltender. In the early a Seaway Valley Rapids team
minutes of the third period, the has won. It was a memorable
Petes tied it up again for a score moment for the players, coaching
of 2-2. However, the Rapids got staff and parents. The whole
960 BROOKDALE AVENUE, CORNWALL a chance to go ahead when the team contributed on the road to
613-935-7777 Petes suffered a penalty during the championship.