PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. Steve Bernier's goal at 2:39 of the 2nd overtime gave the Gouverneurs de Ste-Foy the 23rd Air Canada Cup National Midget Hockey Championship on Sunday, in Prince George, BC.
The Calgary Royals jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, thanks to Matthew Williams-Kovacs two goals eight minutes and 49 seconds apart. Ste-Foy rebounded with three unanswered goals in the second period, including two less than a minute apart from Jeff Cotton and Jean-Vincent Lachance. Dany Roussin added a third Ste-Foy goal before the second frame came to an end, giving the Quebec region a 3-2 lead through 40 minutes.
The tournament's top forward, Brett Pilkington, evened things up at 13:50 of the third period for Calgary, sending the game into overtime and setting the stage for Bernier's heroics.
Ste-Foy's victory marks the organization's 4th National Championship, two Air Canada Cups (1979, 1996) and one Wrigley Cup (1978) in it's record 12th participation in the Air Canada Cup. Ste-Foy has now captured a total of 11 medals at the Air Canada Cup National Midget (3 gold, 5 silver, 3 bronze)
In earlier action on Sunday, the Toronto Young Nationals (Central Region) needed overtime to defeat the Dartmouth Subways (Atlantic Region) 4-3 and capture the bronze medal.
Chris Clarkson's two goals set the stage for Patrick Miller, who netted the overtime winner 2:45 into the extra frame. The bronze medal was the Young Nationals first medal at the National Midget Championship and fourth by the Central Region.