With a couple of her high-school regulars unable to attend the Franco Girls Hockey Tournament last week in Hamilton, Collège Notre-Dame Alouettes' coaches Danika Brabant and Natalie Dionne anticipated looking for someone willing to step up in a different role.
Not necessary, as it turns out. Second-year defenceman Chloé Boucher approached them.
Thank goodness as the 15 year old veteran of the Sudbury Lady Wolves' system turned out to be the offensive hero for a gold medal playoff run.
The Alouettes cruised through Division B pool play, posting four straight wins but were tied with the Rapides de l'école Catholique Le Relais (Alexandria) at 2-2, with just two minutes to play.
"We had a really short bench so I offered to move up to forward," noted Boucher. "I went in front of the net, got a pass and shot it - and it went in."
The final against the Champlain Requins (Chelmsford) was also super close, deadlocked at 2-2 and remaining that way through the three on three overtime session.
Going with the hot hand, CND looked to Boucher, who has some shootout experience, but opted to try something a little different.
"I had a move in mind," she noted, chatting just after a loss to the St Charles College Cardinals on Monday. "Usually, I tend to fake a slapshot and go around - but the last time I did that, it didn't work."
"So I went left, stopped, went back right and deked and scored. I was shocked."
Despite her run of prowess on the attack, Boucher has no real interest in permanently leaving her post on the point - though a taste of what it's like to live in the land of the "snipes and cellies" was kind of fun.
"I had so much fun," she said. "It was so different. I love rushing the puck, but being forward gives you a much different point of view. It was cool."
That was also her take on the Franco Tournament, a gathering of 22 francophone schools from across Ontario.
"It was just such a good environment to be in," said Boucher. "The divisions were good; you were playing even teams."
A member of the U18 "BB" Lady Wolves after suiting up with the U15 "A" squad one year ago, Boucher has many a reason to enjoy her time on the ice with her high-school classmates.
"I love playing high-school because I get extra ice time," she said with a smile. "I get to develop my skills and play with different people. I get to face "AA" girls, which helps me develop."
"And my coaches are amazing."
Coaches Danika Brabant and Natalie Dionne travelled to Hamilton with a roster that included Ella Besserer, Evelyn Joly, Alezandra Lapierre, Aleah Restoule, Breeanna Sullivan, Scarlett Duhaime, Alexis Shewchuk, Ava Edwards, Victoria Séguin, Chloé Boucher and goaltenders Amélie Gervais and Rose Chétrit.
The puckstoppers earned a special mention from coach Brabant ("their composure and calm in streesful games reassured us so much") as did Aleah Restoule, a grade nine talent who could dangle with the best of them and led the Alouettes in scoring at the event.
