Sir James Dunn wins city hockey title

The Sir James Dunn Eagles will be representing Sault Ste. Marie when the double-A NOSSA championships open next week in Sudbury.

Thanks to a 4-0 victory over St. Basil on Thursday night at the Steelback Centre, the Eagles swept the best-of-three city championship series over the Saints.

The Eagles opened up a 3-0 lead through one period as Thomas Stewart scored a pair of goals including his first of the night just under three minutes into the game on the power play.

Stewart's second of the night came midway through the period and led into and Elvis Ruck goal in the final minute to set up the three-goal lead. Ruck had a shorthanded chance prior to scoring but was thwarted by St. Basil goaltender Ian Brodie.

Late in the middle frame, Stewart sealed the SJD win with his third goal of the night, shorthanded when he broke in alone on Brodie and beat the Saints netminder.

The Eagles held on through a scoreless third period to maintain the shutout for goaltender Aaron Elliott and the series sweep.

Stewart was named the playoff most valuable player.

Despite the series loss, the Saints season will still march on though as they earned a spot in the triple-A NOSSA championships being held in Sault Ste. Marie on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The White Pines Wolverines, who won the regular season title, will be the other Sault Ste. Marie representative in the triple-A tournament while Scollard Hall of North Bay and Lasalle from Sudbury will round out the tournament entries.

*** LEAGUE AWARD WINNERS:

The award winners for the 2006-07 season in high school hockey include:

C.J.I.C. Trophy (League champions) – White Pines John Jagger Memorial Trophy (Least penalized team) – Bawating Memories Trophy (Best combined goals against average) – Jared Nylander, Luke Hazelton (White Pines) Jim King Memorial Award (Most sportsmanlike player) – Anthony Silvano (White Pines) Sault Sports Award (Graduating student who best combines on-ice performance and academics) – Jeff McAllister (Korah) Sault Star Award (Rookie of the year) – Shane Alberta (CASS) Sears Award (Best defenceman) – Jeff Greco (St. Mary's) Bumbacco Sports Trophy (League scoring champion) – Anthony Silvano (White Pines) Northern Credit Union Award (MVP) – Anthony Silvano

All-star teams

First Team Goal – Aaron Elliott (Sir James Dunn) Defence – Jeff Greco (St. Mary's) Defence – Justin Minelli (St. Basil) Forward – Anthony Silvano (White Pines) Forward – Thomas Stewart (Sir James Dunn) Forward – Jeff McAllister (Korah)

Second Team Goal – Jon Simmonds (St. Mary's) Defence – Scott Reed (White Pines) Defence – Shane Alberta (CASS) Forward – Luke Ruicci (St. Basil) Forward – Steve Stadnik (Sir James Dunn) Forward – Steve Pandzic (St. Basil)

Third Team Goal – Kendall Brock (CASS) Defence – Matt Vernelli (Korah) Defence – Matt McDonald (Bawating) Forward – Cody McDonald (St. Mary's) Forward – Kyle Martin (CASS) Forward – Matt Santos (White Pines)

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