Quite frankly, a lot of our attention this week was monopolized by the U18 D2 Titans, who were trying to regain the momentum that allowed them to win the LHPS division playoffs.
The representatives of Granby quietly gained strength and their domination was unequivocal in the final, won by a score of 4-1 against the Vikings of the Mont-Saint-Anne school.
“I think we have a little bit of everything in our lineup. Hard work, discipline and everything else makes for a very complete team. With a mix like that, you can go far,” commented Anthony Gosselin, who broke a 1-1 tie, in addition to setting up Tristan Williams’ goal and Nicholas Dempsey’s second.
Goalkeeper Alexis Robert signed his team’s two victories on Sunday. (Stéphane Champagne/La Voix de l’Est)
Their journey to the Classic was not, however, a long, quiet river. During the knockout rounds, the Titans had to survive a shootout and avenge the disappointing loss suffered from the start against the Oursons of the versatile Marcel-Landry.
But in the end, it was almost natural to see them celebrating in their home, and in front of several hundred spectators.
“This tournament was a reflection of our season. We often took the gravel path to get to the highway. But once we left, we were more stoppable,” summarized coach Jean-Vincent Piette, through the ongoing celebrations near the locker room loaned by the Inouk.
While their big brothers triumphed on the Jean-Patenaude ice rink, the Titans M13 D1 did the same on ice C. Malik Roy scored all four of his team’s goals in a shutout at the expense of Regina Assumpta College.
Probably determined not to be eclipsed by their Granby rivals, the Gouverneurs first won in the M15 D2 category. Antoine L’Heureux’s double could have been enough against the Oursons, but Mathis Goulet, Alexy Provost and Josh Tupper also threaded the needle.
The Governors completed this excellent local harvest during the M15 D1 final, incidentally contested between two upgraded teams from the “relief” level. Very robust, this confrontation was decided in overtime. Emrick Côté missed a great backhand opportunity, but the puck quickly returned to him in the heart of the slot. And this time, his throw left goalkeeper Tozan Bourassa no chance.
“Honestly, I didn’t even look at where I was supposed to throw. The puck just ended up in the right place!” admitted number 47.
“With our style of play, we always expend a lot of energy during our matches, but we had just enough left.”
“You can’t change a winning recipe!”
Despite the absence of a team from the region, we must tell you a little about the final of the M18 D1 category, theoretically the most prestigious of the School Classic. The Select team from the Paul-Hubert school caused a certain surprise by defeating the Vikings, despite its “upcoming” status.
We had to wait until the shootout session to see someone shake the ropes. Rémi Lebreux and Maxence Bouchard were the only ones to achieve it, while Justin Ross finished a perfect outing in front of his net.
“I made the same feint in the final here last year, but in the M15 D1. We don’t change a winning recipe!” commented Bouchard, who according to our research, has clearly played his best hockey of the season over the last few days.
The Governors M18 D1 (relief) were slowed down in the quarter-finals. However, we can guess that the results were somewhat secondary in the Cowansville camp after the loss of Bruce Judge, particularly known for his contribution to the Granby Fire Department. Hats off to young Louka, who was in uniform throughout the tournament.
A minute of silence was held Friday evening in memory of Bruce Judge, who passed away last week. (Marc Mercury)
The Arsenal de l’Académie Saint-Louis (M12D1) and the Dynamiques du Collège Charles-Lemoyne (M15 D3) were also crowned on Sunday.
Finally, note that, since the passion for hockey is sometimes very difficult to extinguish, this 8th School Classic will have allowed us to meet former NHLers Joé Juneau and Jean-Sébastien Giguère, now involved with the new generation.
