Clare misses championship final by one game

Par-en-Bas also competed at D2 high school hockey provincials

It was a heartbreaking end to a strong season for the École

Secondaire de Clare Loups at NSSAF Division 2 high school hockey provincials this past weekend.

The team nearly made it to the championship game of the eight-team provincial tournament, but fell 3-0 to Sackville in one of the two semi-final games. Sackville went on to play Central Kings in the championship final. The Central Kings Gators won the provincials title by a score of 6-3.

Clare had been one of two teams to go undefeated on day one of the provincials tournament.

At Cole Harbour Place on Friday, March 6, Leon Bouchard potted a pair of goals to pace Clare to a 5-2 decision over the Dalbrae Academy Dragons. Jacob Chartier, Marlo Boudreau and Alain Theriault had the other Clare goals. Clare goalie Maxime Hanna turned aside 25 shots in the win.

In their opening game of provincials earlier in the day, Clare had shut out the Central Kings Gators 4-0. Bouchard, Nema Hanna, Nicholas LeBlanc and Simon Muise had been the goal scorers the goal scorers.

This region was also represented at provincials by the Par-en-Bas Sharks from Tusket, Yarmouth County.

In their first game of provincials Par-en-Bas was doubled by Sackville 4-2.

Josh Greene and Zach D’Arcy scored.

Par-en-Bas came back later in the day and posted a 3-2 win over the Eastern Shore Schooners, who were the hosts of the Division 2 tournament.

D’Arcy, Andre d’Entremont and Yannick Cottreau had the goals.

Clare suffered its first loss at provincials Saturday morning, March 7, when they lost to Sommet-Carrefour 3-1 but with their record it did still advance to the semifinals.

Par-en-Bas lost its final game of provincials on Saturday when they were shut out 3-0 by Hants East and didn't advance to the semis.

Clare – which had finished the Valley High School Hockey League in first place for points amongst all of the 13 teams – had advanced to provincials after finishing third at NSSAF D2 regionals.

Par-en-Bas had advanced to provincials after finishing second at regionals, losing to Central Kings in the championship game.

The Barrington Barons had a chance to advance to provincials after finishing fourth at regionals but lost to Hants East in a provincials qualifier.

ERIC WYNNE / THE CHRONICLE HERALD Clare’s Leon Bouchard tries to deke Dalbrae Academy goalie Eric MacIsaac as Dragons’ defenceman Matt MacLean looks on during NSSAF Division 2 provincial boys’ hockey action Friday afternoon at Cole Harbour Place. Bouchard scored two goals in Clare’s 5-2 victory.