Spartans News

I wouldn’t be true to myself if I didn’t sit here and write. Sunday’s CPSHA game had ups and downs all the way through but to be frank ended in what I think may have been the most painful loss in my hockey career. The easy thing to do in this situation is not to put my feelings out there, but I have been reminded by countless people that what I write is important for others to read, and even in the tough times we need to use lessons for learning.

Grade 11 student Liam Sumun earned a 7th-place finish in the men’s 400M last weekend at the Canadian Indoor Track & Field Championships in Toronto, earning a personal best in the process.

The Spartans rode a wave of momentum out of the TNPHL playoff weekend, and a major reason was the steady, standout play of goaltender Andrew Shimon (Grade 12, Sydney NS). Starting in two crucial games, Andrew delivered exactly what his team needed—calm, athletic and highly competitive goaltending in pressure moments. His Sunday performance was especially impressive. Andrew turned aside multiple highlight‑reel chances to preserve the Spartans’ lead and secure a key win to close out the weekend. His athleticism in the crease and relentless compete level set the tone for the group and helped propel the team back to Stanstead with confidence heading into the final stretch of the season. A well‑earned recognition for a goaltender who continues to rise to the moment, Athlete of the Week, from varsity boys hockey, Andrew Shimon.

When you watch sporting events, whether live or in person, it is hard not to notice the line of fans that gravitates towards the players exiting the playing surface. From six-year-olds players and their waiting parents to pros and Olympians facing fans, it seems that everyone wants to give that high five or fist bump, to be able to leave the arena or stadium and be able to tell a story about an athlete making that split-second interaction. It can truly create a fan for life and inspire a young person.

Our final league game of the year had little or no consequence as, win or lose, we have established second-place in our division and will face the first-place team in the other division in the playoff semi-final on February 22. Nevertheless, we wanted to play for a win and to give lots of people good minutes to end the season.  We started well with Julia leading us with 8 (including a 2/2 free throws and a 3pt. basket) and her buddy Erika with three buckets for 6 points.  1Q Score: SC 14 - LB 7   

This Grade 10 student-athlete from Drummondville, Quebec, had an outstanding weekend during the Graham Neil Prep Boys Hockey Tournament. He led all defenceman in scoring during the weekend, with 3 goals and 2 assists in 6 games. He logged big minutes and was a shut-down force throughout the journey to the championship. He was rewarded for his strong play and leadership on the ice with the overall tournament MVP trophy. For his outstanding play in the big moment, congratulations, Athlete of the Week Éliot Faucher.

This penultimate league game of the season was one that will long be remembered. Was it a great victory? A close victory? A great story or lesson? No. None of those. Just a weird event. Early in the first quarter the scoreboard had the wrong score. The same thing happened in the second quarter, and that time it took a lot of convincing to get our correct points on the scoreboard. One four-point swing was enough, this one was stopped. 1Q Score: SC 8 - SemSal 4   

It has been 17 years since the name “Stanstead College” has appeared on the Graham Neil Hockey Tournament plaque. But after a few near misses in recent years, the Prep Boys Spartans brought it home this past Sunday in an exciting final against Triolet of Sherbrooke.

This game would be the first of four away games each Monday and Tuesday evenings over two weeks in February to end our league regular game schedule. This was Seminaire’s Senior Night, so we patiently awaited their ceremony to finish and volunteered to wear yellow pinnies when both teams arrived wearing red. The custom/rule is that the home team wears pinnies, but we said we would be happy to wear the pinnies as it was their special day for photos and the like.

Memories of last year against Seminaire de Sherbrooke include our important 28-26 win that ended up clinching the league banner for SC, followed by the forfeit in their last league game against us, which rearranged the playoff seedings for all teams with interesting results. Our first game against them this season was not a close contest, but there were many positive traits shown by the Spartan players this evening. 

Last week, the Spartans travelled to Drummondville to take on La Poudriere at their school. I heard that the game was against a very tough opponent who pressed and played well, also that at some point it was decided to remove the scores from the scoreboard as their lead went from 20 to 30 to 40 and ultimately to 50+ points. It was a very tough loss for the Spartans with a final score of 11-62.

This past weekend, the  Senior Girl Basketball Spartans traveled to Quebec City to participate in the 53rd Annual Anderson-Bailly Small Schools Basketball Tournament.     

Five Girls Hockey Spartans will represent their country at upcoming IIHF U18 Women’s World Championships.