City officials, school boards face off for education

It’s a testimonial to the determination of all who took part that they played in such freezing conditions Laval Councillors score another win in ‘Classique des élus’

 

 Martin C. Barry

A team consisting of Laval city councillors beat teams from the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board and the Commission scolaire de Laval in the Classique des élus de Laval tournament which was held at the Place de la Nature in eastern Laval on Saturday Feb. 13.

2nd annual tournament

The Laval councillors’ team won the first match against the CSDL 3-2 in shoot-outs. The final score for the game against the SWLSB was 4-3 for the city councillors’ team.

It was the second year the municipal representatives and the school commission officials faced off against each other. Donated proceeds from the games are going towards a fund to encourage academic perseverance by students that both school boards can draw on.

The Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board’s Susan O’Keefe poses with two members from the rival team – councillors David De Cotis and Paolo Galati
The Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board’s Susan O’Keefe poses with two members from the rival team – councillors David De Cotis and Paolo Galati

City excels at hockey

It’s worth noting that the city’s team, which also faces off against the school boards during the summer in softball benefit games, has consistently fared much better at hockey, winning all their matches year on year so far.

On the other hand, the school board teams have consistently managed to humiliate the city at softball each summer and they’re probably looking forward to exacting their revenge a few months from now.

The SWLSB team scores, but it wasn’t enough to win the match against the City of Laval team.
The SWLSB team scores, but it wasn’t enough to win the match against the City of Laval team.

Last Saturday’s games were played under the most challenging conditions for the tournament: it was as frigid as it often gets in Nunavut and the wind blowing across the rink made it even colder.

Bundled up against the fierce cold last weekend, referees and linesmen prepare for the match between the City of Laval and the SWLSB.
Bundled up against the fierce cold last weekend, referees and linesmen prepare for the match between the City of Laval and the SWLSB.

A worthy cause

Action was virtually guaranteed during this year’s Classique des élus, because slowing down meant freezing.
Action was virtually guaranteed during this year’s Classique des élus, because slowing down meant freezing.

 

It’s a testimonial to the determination of all who played or helped organize the event that they followed through on a day like this and didn’t postpone or cancel in the face of adversity – which might have been tempting.

LavalSWLSBHockey1WEB
Its faceoff time at the start of game two between Laval’s elected officials and representatives from the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board.

“As elected officials, we just want to make sure that we’re giving back to society and to the students,” said Laval executive-committee vice-president David De Cotis who dropped the puck onto the ice for the official faceoffs. “Even if it’s the coldest day of the year, we’re happy to be here. It’s fun and for us it’s a great cause.”

The Laval squad’s coach, Councillor Jacques St-Jean (right), with team captain David De Cotis and fellow team members.
The Laval squad’s coach, Councillor Jacques St-Jean (right), with team captain David De Cotis and fellow team members.