Michael Ortika. captain of the Laval Patriots, and Sean Girard, assistant captain, are pictured here after they and their teammates won the Granby Bantam AA Hockey Tournament. For their exceptional play, Michael and Sean were named the tournament's Outstanding Forward and Outstanding Defenseman, respectively. In the picture with Michael and Sean is boxer Eric Lucas, a representative of one of the Granby Tournament's major sponsors.
(Photo: Courtesy of Laval Patriots)
Photo:Granby 1
Sean Girard, Michael Ortika, Philippe Perrier, lead Laval Patriots to victory at Bantam AA Granby Hockey Tournament
Undefeated, coach Domenic Ravenda's team upsets top-ranked Richelieu in semis, beats Bromont for title
The Laval Bantam AA Patriots took their second straight tournament win in Granby recently, overcoming the province's top-ranked team, Les Eclaireurs du Richelieu in the semi-finals to reach the championship game where they met and beat the Bromont Avalanche.
The semi-final win against Richelieu did not come easy. Trailing 2-0 late in the third period, the Patriots finally got things going with some last-minute heroics. Philippe Perrier led the way with only 1:27 left in the game, notching the first of three straight goals the Patriots would score, the last coming in overtime.
Michael Ortika followed with the second and tying goal with only 1:05 left on the clock.
The Patriots were sent into the championship game by Sean Girard whose winning goal came with less than a minute left in overtime, 59 seconds to be exact.
"It took a lot of character for the boys to comeback from the 2-0 deficit," coach Domenic Ravenda said after the game. "They could have given up, but they're not that kind of team so we weren't too surprised at the outcome. The important thing is that we prevailed in the end against a powerhouse team who thought they had us beaten. We were worth the win," the coach told Courrier Laval by telephone after the tournament. "They are a hard-working disciplined bunch of guys who don't know when or how to quit. They play as a team and they deserve all the success they're getting," the coach added.
The championship
Winning the championship game wasn't any easier, with the Patriots edging the Avalanche by the slimmest of margins, 2-1. Once again, there were scoring heroics from Philippe Perrier with a goal early in the second period, and Michael Ortika, who scored what proved to be the winner at 5:14 of the third. Leading 2-1 at that point, the defense took over and shut out the Avalanche the rest of the way.
Sean Girard, who distinguished himself both ways, was named Outstanding Defenseman while Michael Ortika took the honours for Outstanding Forward.
"It was our best tournament of the year," Michael Ortika told Courrier Laval in a telephone interview, adding with characteristic modesty that winning the Outstanding Forward trophy was an unexpected bonus. Incidentally, Michael spoke to us from his backyard rink where he was doing skating drills, a strong indication of how much passion he has for hockey and for excellence.
Great coaching
"Coach Ravenda and his assistants have done a fantastic job in bringing the team to such high levels," said parent and team supporter John Ortika, adding that the Laval Patriots are a solid group of young people, on and off the ice. "They have great character. They play all out. They refuse to quit and each player gives maximum effort for the team," Mr. Ortika concluded.
With their second tournament win, the Laval Patriots climbed to top spot in Bantam AA provincial rankings.
Photo:Granby
(Photo: Courtesy of Laval Patriots)
Photo:Granby 1
front row, left to right: Olivier Gervais, Francis Gagnon, Vincent Montreuil, Carl Gingras, Michael Ortika, Patrick Dupuis, Sean Girard, Mathieu Tassé, Jeffrey Noonan.
(Photo: Courtesy of Laval Patriots)
Météo: Laval, 5 juillet 2008 / 19°C
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Steven Guilbeault - 
