St. Charles girls pick up third straight hockey crown

Calmly drilling a puck between the legs of a defender and into the empty-net, St. Charles College forward Sierra Crossthwaite netted the easiest of her three goals in the third and deciding game of the city finals.

It was, however, the most important one. Just 36 seconds after Crossthwaite increased the Cardinals lead to 4-2 over the Collège Notre-Dame Alouettes, Taylor McGaughey replied for the latter.

That would be the end of the scoring, in a series that featured a never-ending swing of emotions. Three straight games, all decided by a final score of 4-3. Thankfully for SCC, two of those victories went their way.

Sarah Mulvenna joined Crossthwaite on the scoresheet on Thursday, while Josée Scott, Kaylie Venedam and McGaughey replied for Notre-Dame. Goaltender Cheyenne Bates-Saucier enjoyed a strong outing between the pipes for St. Charles, turning aside 34 shots, including 15 in the third period alone.

Her counterpart at the other end of the rink, Alyssa Hitchen, finished the contest with 13 saves. A Grade 12 veteran, and tower of strength on the Cardinals' blue-line, Renée Auger credited head coach Jason Michelutti with helping the team get back on track after their Game 2 loss.

"He reminded us of our first game, when we had a good start, scoring the first goal, and it gave us a good pump up," she said.

Facing a team that featured more Midget AA talent, by far, than any other squad in the league, Auger knew that efficient defensive play would be key.

"I try and look at the body, instead of the puck, when they're coming towards me," she said. "I try and keep them away from the net, stop them from shooting. They have really good players who know how to use the puck, but they can be stopped."

The championship marks the third straight SDSSAA banner for the St. Charles girls, with Auger and a host of others moving on to post-secondary schooling come next fall.

"It's kind of sad, knowing that it's my last year," she noted. "But it's a great feeling to finish off my high school career with a win."

Both Notre-Dame and St. Charles are in North Bay Monday for NOSSA playdowns, with both teams taking part in the AAA/AAAA competition.