For the fifth time in seven years, the Holy Cross Crusaders have won the Kingston-Area Secondary School Athletics Association (KASSAA) hockey championship for boys.
In front of 500 fans Thursday afternoon at the Invista Centre in Kingston, Ont., the Crusaders jumped out to a 5-0 lead and held off the stubborn La Salle Black Knights 6-3.
“We got off to a great start. La Salle came back against us but we were able to hold them off.” said Aidan Johnson, who scored three goals for the Crusaders. Jarryd Herron, Evan Jamieson and Artjoms Shiman also scored for the Crusaders.
Andrew Sprague, Ben Moffat and Ethan Voskamp tallied for the Black Knights.
“Last year we got upset by La Salle. It was a heartbreaker, so it feels great to beat them this year.” said Johnson, one of many graduating players.
“High school hockey is a lot of fun.” said Artjoms Shiman. “This is a big memory for me. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I will remember this game 20 years from now. It’s just a fun time playing with the boys and winning a championship. We’re brothers here and care about each other. We’re a family. That’s the key to our success.”
The Holy Cross Crusaders will now represent the Kingston-area at the Ontario AAA high school championships in St. Catharines, Ont., March 21-23.
As for La Salle, they will travel to Renfrew, Ont. next week for the Eastern Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association AA championship. The AA provincials will be held in Collingwood, Ont., March 21-23.
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