By Aaron Bell
One week ago Sunday, the Ontario Hockey League and the Ontario University Athletics partnered for their first doubleheader game this past Sunday at the WFCU Centre in Windsor termed the OUA/OHL Scholastic Showcase.
Local fans first watched the Spitfires pull out a 5-2 win over the Niagara IceDogs and then watched as former Spitfires' defenceman-turned-forward Jonathan Sciacca scored a hat trick to lead the University of Windsor Lancers to a 6-3 win over the York Lions.
The game included over a dozen OHL graduates that are continuing to play hockey at a high level while earning a degree that is supported by the OHL scholarship program.
"I think we're the most underrated hockey in the city," Sciacca told the Windsor Star. "It's ex-OHLers playing, so the CIS game is pretty good."
The game also included a cheque presentation from the OHL to the OUA for $1.4 million that represented the OHL scholarships that are provided to OUA players this season.
"The Ontario Hockey League is taking better care of these kids today than ever before," said University of Windsor coach Kevin Hamlin. "We want these players to take more advantage of that education bonus right here in the province of Ontario. We feel that we have the finest teams in the country and the finest CIS hockey to offer in the country."
2010 OHL All-Star Classic Hometown Hero:
Taylor Hall is looking forward to what might be his last chance to play on his hometown ice.
The Windsor Spitfires' star and Kingston native is one of 40 OHL players that were selected to play in the OHL All-Star Classic in Kingston next week and Hall said that he's hoping that he gets a warmer reception than he does when he shows up to play for the Spitfires.
“It’s interesting that the last time I played there I got booed,” said Hall, who scored a goal and an assist in the OHL All-Star Game on home ice in Windsor last year. “Hopefully that doesn’t happen this time - hopefully they cheer for me.”
It's no wonder the Kingston faithful haven't been too impressed to see Hall come back home. In three career games against the Frontenacs in Kingston, Hall has five goals and nine points. He touched the Frontenacs for two goals and five points when the Spitfires were here for their only visit of the season back in October.
“That’s going to be a pretty exciting time for me for sure,” Hall said. “It may be one of the last times I get to play in Kingston. I always seem to play well there in front of my family and friends. It should be a good time - I love playing in all-star games.”
Hall said that despite the hectic schedule he has had this season, he loves playing in the special event games, including the SUBWAY Super Series in November, the Home Hardware CHL Top Prospects Game last month on home ice and again next week for the OHL All-Star Classic.
“You get together with the best players in the league and I think that’s a great opportunity for anyone,” Hall said. “You make new friends and see buddies that you used to play with and hopefully show well and do well for your conference.”
One interested fan will be Kingston Frontenacs' goaltender Tyler Beskorowany, who was named to the Eastern Conference roster. He said that he is looking forward to seeing what kind of moves Hall and some of the other stars have up their sleeves for the OHL All-Star Skills Competition.
"The shootout should be a blast - just seeing what these guys are capable of doing on the ice," Beskorowany said. " Just being able to watch them whip out some of their moves is going to be fun for sure."
