Local Sports

The Northern Michigan Black Bears are hoping the confines of the Big Bear Arena will allow them to stave off elimination in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League championship series.

Local product Sammy Colizza was recognized by Hockey Canada last week for best combining his efforts on the ice with his efforts in the classroom by being named the recipient of the top RBC Financial Group Junior 'A' Scholarship award.

The Sault College Cougars officially put an end to the 2004/05 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) season over the weekend with their Annual Athletic Awards Night at The Outback.

With an end to their run in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan looming, the Soo Indians wanted to make sure they gave their fans one last chance to see them in action.

Barring the unforeseen, the Northern Michigan Black Bears will be calling Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan home next season and, judging by the way they have played in two games there thus far, it could be a good fit.

Three groups of girls from the Sault Ste Marie Gymnastic Club returned home from Sudbury with great success by capturing 12 medals. The competition, called "Raise the Bar Gym Challenge 2005", was held on April 9-10.

Jessica King netted 24 points and Paula Fagan added 12 as Sports Gold cuffed Root River Raptors 46-26 in one of two Algoma Basketball Association girls spring league games played Sunday at the Bawating gym.

The Algoma University College Thunderbirds handed out their annual athletic awards at a gathering last week. The school honoured their athletes for their contributions during the 2004-05 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) season.

Dave MacDonald, a hockey trainer for the Desbarats LeClair Fuels bantam hockey team, was recently named the recipient of the Hockey Trainers' Certification Program Recognition Award.

Fifteen in a row and counting.