Athletics Action

Last Wednesday, the undefeated LCS Jr. Boys’ Hockey team travelled to Aurora to take on the only other undefeated team, St. Andrew's College,  to decide which team would be in first place in the league. Unlike both teams' earlier matchups, for LCS an exhibition game in which our players  handled a barebones, visiting SAC team with ease, this time the LCS boys were on the road against a full lineup that featured players of more  size and skill.

It was clear early on that the game would be the biggest challenge yet. Both teams came out hard and battled for every inch through much of the first period. It wasn't until late in the first period that the LCS boys were able to break the deadlock. While defenseman John Beckett and Griffin Cudmore-Keating ate up valuable time passing back and forth behind their own net, Luc Reeve snuck behind SAC's defence at the far blue line. Showing absolutely incredible vision, Cudmore-Keating launched a perfect pass from his own goal line, landing right on Reeve's stick and sending him in alone on a breakaway. He slid the puck inside the post off his backhand to complete a play-of-the-year candidate. LCS closed out the first period up 1-0.

The tight play continued into the second period. The LCS boys kept pushing, and their hard work earned them a power play early on. With our “Rock from Newfoundland,” Cam Costello, parked in front of the net and throwing up the perfect screen, Noah Sedore took pass from Reeve, walked the blue line before shooting into the top left over the goalie. SAC didn't give up, though, and broke James Battis' 110-minute shutout streak - the first goal LCS has allowed all regular season. Just over one minute later, Lakefield answered right back. Sedore took a breakout pass from Costello, racing down and scoring his second in just two and a half minutes. The second period wrapped up with a 3-1 scoreline in favour of LCS.

The LCS boys knew SAC would make a big push in the third. Thanks to sound defending and more impressive play in nets by Battis, they held off the first early waves by their opponents. Unfortunately, SAC kept grinding around the net and found a way to score on a rebound, which cut the Lakefield lead in half with just seven minutes left. They kept riding that momentum while their goaltender made a number of key saves to keep their comeback hopes alive. With just four minutes remaining, a flurry of activity in the LCS crease led to a scramble in front of the net, and with bodies piling on top of Battis, SAC found the loose puck and chipped it through the chaos to tie the game at three.

Showing tremendous resilience and heart, the boys of LCS  stepped up to the plate. With just three minutes left in the game, Sedore broke down the ice on a two-on-one with Blake Wickware. While looking to shoot, Sedore slid a perfect pass through the defenceman’s stick and Wickware fired a backhand to break the tie, giving LCS a 4-3 lead late in the game. This time, they made sure not to let SAC back in it, applying pressure and eating up the clock until the final buzzer sounded.

In a hard-fought, character building match, the boys came together as a team and showed they can win close, physical games when it matters. With the win, the LCS Jr. Boys’ Hockey team has taken over first-place in the league and are the only remaining undefeated team.

Forwards Aidan Maltman, Matthew Hudon and Mackenzie Coffin earned a particularly honourable mention, playing their roles exactly as the team needed. Maltman brought excellent zone coverage on the penalty kill, Hudon had a number of close chances, and Coffin delivered big hits and strong two-way play when it was needed most. Cole Fraser and Joey Osborne continued to build their chemistry together, generating great offensive plays every time they were on the ice. Gavin Plunkett keeps showing his versatility, jumping between line combinations as needed and Ewan Davidson continues to impress with his speed and his ability to quarterback offensive plays from his spot on the back line.

1st Boys' Hockey
With some exciting call-ups from the junior team (Griffin Cudmore-Keating and Blake Wickware)- the boys in red and green were looking forward to playing Crescent School on the road.  Lakefield pushed the pace of play in an exciting matchup.  However, the game dramatically shifted in Cresent's favour with the officials taking over the tone and pace of the game. The game ended with Crescent topping LCS 4 - 3.

Lakefield's first year player, Max Haagen scored his first goal of his LCS career and was named “Player of the Game.”

On Saturday, January 20, the Jr. Girls’ Volleyball team hosted Ridley College.  The LCS girls knew that the recent loss to Toronto French School was a tough one as the team struggled technically, as well as finding the energy required to battle a strong team.  

Against Ridley College School, right from the first serve LCS found its “groove” and dominated, playing with confidence and demonstrating solid skills.  LCS took the first game 25-13. LCS had a slow start to the second game, but with some strong serving by Carine Martin the team was able to forge a come back.  Valentina Boren showed how much her hits have improved, and Abby Murray's strong serves closed out the game with LCS on top with a 25-18 finish. Charlize Avon began the third and final game with serving streak. Her bullet-like serves won 7 points in a row for LCS, and then Abigayle Strano nearly matched this by following up with scoring 5 points off her serve!  There was some strong serving combined with impressive setting by Cassie Mesburis.  LCS played with energy, enthusiasm and positivity.  Following some great rallies LCS took the third game 25-10.

Chloe Traviss showed great leadership as Captain and Carine Martin is to be congratulated for successfully switching between two positions during the match, 'power' and 'middle', depending on where she was needed during each game!    

The 1st Alpine team had a successful day despite icy conditions at Alpine Ski Club in Blue Mountains, Ontario. In the team’s second Giant Slalom race of the season, the LCS School Trained Girls team finished in first place for the second week in a row! Keely Matsusaki, Emmi Matsusaki, Emma Durach and Alina Schlau all placed in the top 10. The LCS School Trained Boys also had an impressive finish, placing third. Momo Maack placed in the top 10, with Tuna Basaara and Max Brandes close behind. Noah Storey placed 3rd in the highly competitive Open Male division, and Averil Gougeon 10th in the equally competitive Open Female division. We look forward to our race next week at Devil’s Glenn, which will be our first Slalom race of the season.