Up against some stiff competition, and against a backdrop of some pretty dismal weather, the St. Joseph's Jaguars Senior Boys went undefeated through tournament play and emerged Eastern Ontario 'A' Division Champions at the EOSSAA Championship Series late last week.
The victory sends the Jaguars to the All-Ontario championship starting Wednesday.
St. Joseph's route to the final came courtesy of a couple of offensive efforts, an opening 4-2 victory over St. Francis, followed by a 5-2 win over Marie Riviere to guarantee the Renfrew club a spot in the final. Ryan Cuthill, Chris Ivory, Chris Jedrezczak, and Alec Vice provided the scoring against St. Francis, while in the second game, it was Ivory with a pair, and Jedrezczak, Vice, and Phil Carter chipping in with singles.
Against host club Notre Dame in the final, Alec Vice put the Jags up early with a key strike, but the squad found itself behind a goal early in the second half. Vice struck again later in the half, bending one just under the crossbar on a free kick from 30 yards out, sending the final in overtime.
A foul on Chris Ivory in the penalty area set up a penalty shot, and Vice once again stepped up, driving one home for the winner.
Jaguars coach Mark Valliquette described the club's effort as "amazing" throughout the day, and also singled out the team defense and efforts of goaltender Brandon Woertink as key contributors to the championship effort.
St. Joseph's now travels to London, Ontario to represent Eastern Ontario in the OFSAA playdowns.
