Reds off to OFSAA
W
inning never gets old for the Denis Morris Reds.
The Reds are perennial contenders to qualify for OFSAA and did so once again Tuesday with a pair of victories at the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association (SOSSA) AAA boys hockey championship at the Seymour-Hannah Sports Complex.
The Reds now head to the Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Associations AAA championships in Windsor the week following March break.
Head coach Billy McLaren wasn’t even sure how many times the Reds have captured SOSSA.
“Maybe five or six times, I’d have to look at the trophy,” McLaren said, after posing with the Reds for the traditional championship photo.
McLaren said the difference in this title versus some of the others is he wasn’t sure exactly what he had this season.
“I was talking to the refs and I organize SOSSA and they said you said you didn’t think you would be here (SOSSA) back in October,” McLaren said. “I just thought with the guys we lost from last year we would have a balanced team, but not as strong of a team. We’re balanced all the way through and strong all the way through.”
McLaren said there was so secret to the Reds’ success.
“The guys bought in. We’re a deep team and they put in the effort they needed and we got it done.”
The Reds topped the A.N. Myer Marauders in the semifinal before edging the Bulldogs in a well-played, entertaining final.
“I talked to the guys this morning and told them we needed two wins to go to OFSAA,” McLaren said. “The hardest part is getting to OFSAA. Once you’re there, a couple of bounces and you’re playing for a medal.
“All the guys did what they needed to do.”
In a recruiting war that pitted son against father, Chris Rao and the Niagara College Knights were the winners of the Lexxus Bell sweepstakes.
