The Horizon girls had already tackled the first half of the challenge; now it was up to the boys to finish things off.

For the first time in school history, the Horizon Aigles managed to return home with banners from both of the Franco Hockey Tournaments this year.

While the girls emerged victorious in Timmins back in November, coaches Brian Dube and Lou Favero and the lads had to wait until early April to complete the hockey sweep, earning gold in the "AA" Division in Whitby.

Pool play would provide an indicator of just how tightly matched some of the teams might be in southern Ontario as Horizon posted a record of 2-0-2, earning their berth in the quarter-finals.

After starting their quest with a 3-0 win over Ecole Pierre Savard from Nepean, the Aigles were held to a draw against both Embrun (1-1) and Plantagenet (2-2) from Ottawa, closing out preliminary play with a 5-0 whitewashing of Ecole Sainte-Marie-Rivier in Kingston.

Defense remained the calling card for the SDSSAA reps in the playoff round, blanking Ecole Jeanne-Lajoie from Pembroke to advance to the final four and earning their spot in the final thanks to a 4-0 shutout of L'Escale in Rockland.

Braeden Vis, Hudson Goulet, Nolan Lafrance and Nolan Schiewek found the back of the net for Horizon, with Aaron Wright recording the shutout between the pipes.

A rematch in the gold medal affair with Embrun would go the way of the Aigles as goals from Justin Barriault, Nolan Lafrance and Nolan Schiewek propelled Horizon to a 3-1 win.

An 18 year old who did not even crack the high-school roster until his grade 11 season, Justin Barriault described the appeal to lacing up the skates with friends that he spends most of the day with.

"Honestly, I think it's the fans and the atmosphere that makes it special," suggested the graduating senior who is moving on to an HVAC apprenticeship with Metal Air. "When you score, it's the best feeling ever."

"It's just awesome."

While rep hockey players in the NOHA are inelligible to play for their school in NOSSA institutions, the Franco Tournament requirements are more lax, with Horizon adding four to five players to what was already a team that could contend for a city crown.

"It was awesome to see the different skill level," said Barriault. "Being able to play with them was really fun, just seeing how they move the puck."

With LUG Hockey likely to provide the next step for Barriault, the Whitby showcase allowed for a great wrap-up to his high-school hockey experience.

"I think I am done playing (competitive) hockey, so it was nice to end my journey with a tournament, throwing off the gloves one last time."

It was a feeling that his female school counterparts had already enjoyed just a few months earlier, overcoming a game one loss to the Champlain Requins (5-3), besting their local rivals in the final with gold medals on the line by a final count of 4-1.

The event provided a nice mix to the winter for an Aigles girls team that opted to play in the Division I ranks locally, facing the likes of St Charles, Bishop Carter and Lo-Ellen with regularity.

"We were definitely more excited and had more drive to win this (Franco) because we knew that we had a chance," acknowledged 17 year old grade 12 senior Kenya Gravelle.

"For some of our regular season games, the teams are just so good - but sometimes we would tie them."

Like Barriault, Gravelle was not pencilled in to the Horizon hockey lineup until later in her high-school career, a product of coming from a house league hockey background when much of the dressing room is filled with Lady Wolves.

"The first two years of high-school, I did not play," she said. "Then I found the confidence and made friendships with the girls and decided to do it. I'm not a rep player and haven't been playing hockey as long as they have, but I try and give them a chance to get more goals."

"I just try and help them out as much as possible."

As for the Franco experience, safe to say that it goes well beyond just winning the tournament.

"It's the most fun tournament," beamed Gravelle. "You're in a hotel with your best buds. And the excitement of being on a bus ride with your best friends - there is nothing better than that."

Joining Gravelle for the trek to Timmins were Lexi Briscoe, Mackenzie Cameron, Gracey Paul, Maya Flores, Kalia Pharand, Olivia Pitre, Madison Bodson, Meaghan Paquette, Naomi Gobeil, Suri Darwish, Gabrielle Roy, Haven Bellerose, Désirée Charbonneau and Emily Joly.