BISHOP RYAN​​ CELTICS

CELTICS CAPTURE GHAC TITLE

 

On Wednesday, March 8, 2023, the Celtics hosted the #1 ranked Bishop Reding Royals in the GHAC Championship game. This was the first time the Celtics have returned to the GHAC Championship game since 2019.

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The boys started off setting the tone and temp of the game with sustained zone pressure and shots on net, however, it would be the Royals who struck 1st on what appeared to be a harmless shot from the neutral zone that appeared to be going over the net. Unfortunately, it hit the mask and glove of Celtic goaltender, Alessio Veysey, and redirected into the net for an early 1-0 lead. 

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The Celtics got a quick response from Ryan Wercholaz who came flying through the neutral zone and ripped a wrist shot from just above the circles that beat the Royals netminder over the shoulder and into the top corner to tie the game at 1. 

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The Royals then took the first penalty of the game, and it took the Celtics only 21 seconds to take the lead. After winning the ensuing faceoff, the Celtics cycled the puck around the zone before throwing it on net. Pouncing on the rebound was Owen Hunks and the Celtics took a 2-1 lead into the 1st intermission. Both Celtic goals were scored in a span of 59 seconds quieting the Royals crowd and igniting the Celtics fans.

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The second period was back and forth with both teams trading scoring chances until late in the period, when Alex Breau's slapshot from the blueline appeared to hit a Royals skate and found the back of the net giving the Celtics a 3-1 lead after 2.

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The Royals came out flying in the 3rd period and had numerous scoring chances, along with 4 Powerplays in the 3rd period alone. However, the Celtics penalty killing unit, which killed of 92% of penalties throughout the year was lights out again, killing off a total of 7 Royals powerplays in this game, including two 5on3 advantages. The number one penalty killer on this night was goaltender Alessio Veysey who made some unbelievable point blank saves to keep the Celtics up by 2.

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As the seconds ticked away, the Celtics players exploded off the bench and the celebration began. Exactly 2 weeks after their thrilling Championship victory over St. Marys, the Celtics were once again on top, defeating the top ranked Royals 3-1 and earning their ticket to the OFSAA Championships in Windsor, ON March 21-23.

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A huge accomplishment for this group of boys as they will now represent the Golden Horseshoe Athletic Association in the Provincial Championships.​

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SCORING SUMMARY​

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Period 1

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BRR (1-0): 11:14

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BRC (1-1): Ryan Wercholaz (4) 4:47

Assisted by: Luca Alfieri

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BRC (2-1): Owen Hunks (11) 3:58 PP

Assisted by: Sean Underhill, Ben Fox

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Period 2

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BRC (3-1): Alex Breau (2) 2:24

Assisted by: Sean Underhill, Chris Lamont

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Period 3

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No Scoring​

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FINAL SCORE

BISHOP RYAN 3

Bishop Reding 1

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PLAYER OF THE GAME: Alessio Veysey

CELTIC WARRIOR: Alessio Veysey

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CELTICS WIN GHAC EN ROUTE TO PROVINCIALS

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By Larry Moko

 

It was a mistake that Alessio Veysey more than made up for.

After letting in an admittedly soft goal early in the first period, Veysey was brilliant in net the rest of the way as the Celtics defeated Milton’s Bishop Reding Royals, 3-1, at Valley Park Arena Wednesday.

That result gave Bishop Ryan the Golden Horseshoe Athletic Conference boys’ high school hockey championship and a berth to the OFSAA tournament March 21-23 in St. Catharines.

“(Veysey) stood on his head today,” Celtics coach Justin Cannon said in praise. “He was our player of the game and warrior of the game.”

Reding’s lone goal came on the rush when, at the blueline, Evan LeConte’s wrist shot appeared to be going over the net.

“It was a tough goal to let in,” Veysey said. “I guess it dipped a little. The puck hit my glove and helmet and then went in.”

Cannon called it a “fluke” and Veysey, who also plays for the Stoney Creek Warriors AA U18 team, said it was one of the worst he has ever allowed.

“Pretty bad,” Veysey said, “but we bounced back. As a goalie, you’ve just got to put that behind you. It went in. There’s nothing you can do about it. Focus on the next shot.”

It was just a temporary setback for the Celtics because by the end of the period they grabbed a 2-1 lead over the visitors.

Winger Ryan Wercholaz tied the score when he skated the puck from the wing to the top of the slot before snapping in a wrister.

Then, on a power play, Owen Hunks swiped in a rebound from teammate Sean Underhill to put Bishop Ryan ahead to stay.

An insurance goal followed late in the second period on a slap shot from the point by defenceman Alex Breau that deflected in off a Reding player near the crease.

“Alessio battled hard,” Cannon said. “In the third period he made some incredible point-blank saves.”

A disallowed goal in the second period kept the Halton Catholic champions from narrowing the gap, however. It came on a well-executed three-way passing play in close on which Veysey received a delay of game penalty.

“We were told that when (Veysey) slid over he kicked the net and it came off,” the Bishop Ryan coach said. “The net was off before the puck went in. It was a break for us. It was a beautiful goal.”

The large crowd in attendance saw a fast-skating game with plenty of scoring chances at both ends.

“It was a great game by our whole team,” Veysey said. “We came out strong. We were on top of everything. Our defence was covering the slot which made it easier on me.”

According to Cannon, the first-place Celtics rotated three goalies this season until Veysey went on a hot streak and “took the reins.”

A Grade 12 student, in his first year of high school hockey, Veysey says he’s looking forward to the OFSAA appearance.

“I’m pumped,” he said. “I didn’t think we would get this far. We’re probably going against harder teams than this, so we’ll have to bring our ‘A’ game.”

This was the first year in Bishop Ryan history that both the Celtic boys and girls hockey teams won city championships. The season ended for the BR girls Wednesday, though, with a 4-2 loss in the GHAC final against the Oakville Trafalgar Red Devils. That AAA game was played at Oakville’s Joshua Creek Arena.

Keira Savin and Maya Valeri scored for the Celtics, who took a 2-1 lead into the third period.