(Montreal, QC) – The Ontario Thunder was crowned the 2012 Canadian Wheelchair Rugby National Champions today after defeating Team BC 56-49. The final game was promoted as the “Super Final” for multi-parasport festival Défi Sportif and was broadcast via webcast to fans across Canada.
The first half started strong with both teams scoring at will. At halftime, the score was tied 27-27 and fans prepared for a drawn-out battle. During the second half, however, Ontario forced a few crucial turnovers thanks to the physical play of David Willsie and Mike Whitehead. BC was unable to mount an offensive of its own and the Thunder slowly widened the lead until it was too late.
After the game, BC Head Coach Adam Frost praised Ontario’s firepower. “I thought Ontario played a fantastic game,” he said. “We fought hard, though. I’m proud of our guys.”
Ontario Thunder Player-Coach David Willsie said the key to his team’s victory was the depth of the Ontario program. “Our team is incredibly deep,” he said. “We can put any of the guys on the bench in to do the job, and we’re also supported by our B Team, who pushes us every day in practice to get better.”
In the Division 1 bronze medal game, Quebec beat the Ontario B Team in front of a cheering home crowd. In Division Two, the Alberta Roughnecks – led by 18-year-old phenom Zak Madell – bested Team Saskatchewan. Manitoba finished with the bronze medal over British Columbia B.
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