Brett Thoms

Shawville January 18, 2023

Four Western Quebec School Board high schools from across the region came to the Shawville arena to participate in the Pontiac High School Invitational on Jan. 18.

Pontiac High School, Dr. Wilbert Keon School, St. Michael’s High School in Low, and Maniwaki Woodland School brought nine teams in total to the tournament, which was broken down into a senior and junior division. Each team could play two games, excluding the semis and finals.

“Each high school hosts a tournament in the winter and this is our turn,” said Darcy Findlay, coach of the PHS hockey teams. “We’re just providing the opportunity to the kids. Give them the experience of playing some school hockey and meeting some students from other schools.”

The entire student body of PHS was sent to the arena during the late morning to spectate a senior and junior game, filling the stands.

Home ice advantage seemed to work in PHS’s favour, with its junior and senior both winning their respective divisions over the day long tournament.

This is the second tournament in the series between the WQSB schools, with the first being held in Low and two to be held in Maniwaki in February and March, according to Findlay.

“Obviously, everyone’s competitive, but at the end of the day, it’s about having fun,” said Findlay.