Villanova Wildcats win bronze at OFSAA “AAA” boys hockey tournament

Villanova forward Liam MacDonald just missed during the semi-finals. Villanova captured the bronze medal in the OFSAA “AAA” boys hockey tournament, played in LaSalle and Amherstburg last week.

It may not have been the medal they were hoping for, but the St. Thomas of Villanova boys hockey team can say they are one of the best teams in the province.

Last week at the Vollmer Recreation Centre in LaSalle, the Wildcats doubled Father Brescani of Vaughan 4-2 to win the bronze medal at the Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Association (OFSAA) “AAA” championship tournament.

Hosted by Villanova, the Wildcats came very close to going to the final game but came up short 3-2 in overtime in the semi-finals to the Nantyr Shores (Innisfil) Triton Wednesday morning at the Vollmer.

The Wildcats made it to the semis after beating Brooklin 3-2 in extra time. Villanova played on the edge all tournament, squeezing into the quarter-finals of the 16-team event by a goals for difference in round-robin play.

“I’d say its been that way this tournament. All the teams in the quarter-finals and semi-finals had overtime wins. It’s been really, really tight,” said Wildcats’ head coach Grant O’Keefe.

After the disappointing loss in the semis, the Wildcats had just an hour to rest before taking on Brescani. 

Not to be denied, Villanova received outstanding efforts from Ben Laurendeau who had a goal and an assist to capture the bronze. 

Gianmarco Spiizzirri set up a pair of goals with tallies from Ryan Lafeaive, Xavier Sandy and Ethan Cabana who got the winner.

Asked if he was surprised his team got to the bronze game, O’Keefe said, “I’m not surprised. I knew we had a good team”

During the regular WECSSA season the Wildcats went 5-1-2 and missed out winning the local championship in a 3-2 loss to St. Anne’s.

“Very disappointed. I thought this was our year, I really did. I thought things were lining up well. This team is really strong, I want the bronze,” said O’Keefe after the semi-final loss to the Triton.

The Wildcats opened the tournament with a 5-2 loss to eventual gold medal winners St. Aloysius Gonzaga but bounced back to double Maxwell Heights 4-2 later on Tuesday and then Wednesday morning edged St. Michael’s of Niagara Falls 2-1.

Playing two games per day, being able to sleep in their own beds was a big plus for Villanova.

“It’s huge and we talked about it a lot. It definitely helps,” said O’Keefe.

The Villanova Wildcats girls team were not as fortunate as it  went 1-3 in the 20-team division. 

In the 5-2 win over Havergal Chesley Benoit led the way with two goals including one shorthanded. 

Also scoring in that game for the Wildcats against Havergal Chesley were Anna Leighton, Myla Normand and Charlotte Burghi.

St. Martin of Mississauga beat Lawrence Park to win the gold. Games throughout the week were played in LaSalle, Amherstburg, Essex and Windsor.

Villanova Wildcats win bronze at OFSAA “AAA” boys hockey tournament

By Fred Groves