For Release: March 10th, 2000

The scenario that O.F.S.A.A. Hockey 2000 Organizers were unashamably keeping their fingers tightly crossed for became a reality last night, with the St. Charles College Cardinals and St. Benedict Bears advancing the N.O.S.S.A. Hockey Championship Final, thereby qualifying both teams for the O.F.S.A.A. event beginning later this month.

After Tuesday's games, including a dramatic 1-1 tie against the Cardinals Tuesday night, the Bears needed only for the Cards to defeat the Sir James Dunn Eagles on Wednesday morning (which they did 5-1) to confirm their position in the Final and pave the way for their first ever O.F.S.A.A. Championship, from their first ever N.O.S.S.A. Championship, in their first ever year in Senior boys' hockey. Quite a story indeed.

Most likely on Monday, selected members of the O.F.S.A.A. Executive Committee will set about the task of seeding the twenty teams entered in the draw, always a challenge that is complicated by the fact that many of the teams participating may not have played against any teams from outside their District.

To this point, teams that have notified organizers of their participation, including the Bears and the Cards, include: Fort Francis Muskies (NWOSSA), York Mills Collegiate (Tri-City), Sir Oliver Mowat (SSSAA), Upper Canada College (TDCAA), Notre Dame Catholic Secondary (EOSSA), St. Mary's (GHAC) and Dunbarton HS (LOSSA). Nine down, eleven to go ... Obviously there are still some championships underway in the Province, all expected to be complete by Saturday allowing the seeding process to begin.

In other O.F.S.A.A. news, I think I can sum up O.F.S.A.A. Nordic Ski with three words: cudos, cudos, cudos.

The Organizing Committee for the Nordic event, led by the unflappable Mary Waddell of Lo-Ellen Park Secondary, pulled off a virtually unblemished effort, this despite a venue change only three days before registration. Visitors to the site were favourably impressed with all aspects of the event, but in particular with the expertise and friendliness of volunteers, the organization of registration materials, hospitality and the condition of the trails ...

Whoa, what was that? The condition of the trails after all the rain and mild weather leading up to February 29th? Yes indeed the trails were in championship form thanks to the staff out at Windy Lake. Imagine the Southerners' surprise in driving past all that green grass, only to pull up to nordic trails that would compare to any other in the country? Isn't it great to be a Northerner?

Even though at this point the financial success of the event is largely in question due to last minute expenses brought about by the venue change, volunteers should take great pride in their effort last week - I believe we are the toast of the province this week!

Couple of outstanding performances to report on from N.O.S.S.A. competition this week - indeed a couple of "sweeps" to report.

No doubt the basketball coaching staff at Lasalle had been silently brooding about comments going into N.O.S.S.A. AAA Boys' Basketball that the Lancers were on their way out insofar as the power in Sudbury basketball was concerned. Well the brooding can certainly change to boasting now as the Lancers captured both Junior and Senior AAA crowns over the weekend, on home turf to boot.

The Senior Lancers are now participating at O.F.S.A.A. AAA Boys' Basketball in Hamilton - good luck guys!

A similar story was witnessed in N.O.S.S.A. Girls "A" Volleyball, hosted at Chelmsford, over the weekend. Both the Junior and Senior Flyers swept to victory and both 2 games to nil over opponents F.J. McElligott and Northern Secondary respectively. The Seniors are now participating at O.F.S.A.A. in Sturgeon Falls in hopes for a medal performance at this championship - good luck girls!

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