The Ottawa Capitals began their season with a notable performance at the Early Bird. Their only blemish in that 5 and 1 championship record was an 18 to 15 quarter-final loss to the Kitchener Gales, which sent them to the A division.

Opting out of the Hamilton Bowl, the Capitals returned to Kingston, which gave injured players an extra month to recover. Also welcoming regulars back to the line-up that missed the Early Bird trip, The Capitals were far better equipped for competition, which showed on the field.

Undefeated against round-robin opponents, the Capitals beat their rival Ottawa Seminoles in the quarter-finals to advance to the final four. For the third time this season they met and beat the multi-Quebec champion Maroons to advance to the finals, their first AA venture since the Ottawa stop last year.

Waiting for them were the Kitchener Gales, the team that not only beat them in their last meeting, but who were also coming off a AA championship in Hamilton.

This contest was just as close as their first meeting, except that far more points were scored. The Capitals put together a long late-game drive to take a four point lead, leaving the Gaels with little time to respond. The Capitals held off a valiant Gael's effort to avenge a prior defeat and make Ontario history as they captured their first elite title.

Over the course of six seasons, the Capitals have earned a handful of titles on the Tour and in the Provincials at the A level. Despite making elite championship appearances, and even cracking the final four at the nationals, the respect of AA gold had always eluded them. Congratulations on this fine achievement gentlemen. The elite division is up for grabs, and you’re deep within the mix.

Quarter-Finals

Burl Spartans 24 vs Kitchener Gaels 25

Mtl Maroons 25 vs Hamilton Chargers 23

Ottawa Capitals 19 vs Ottawa Seminoles 6

Hamilton Piranhas 31 vs Toronto Trojans 30

Semi-Finals

Kitchener Gaels 35 vs Hamilton Piranhas 34

Ottawa Capitals 33 vs Mtl Maroons 14

Finals

Ottawa Capitals 33 vs Kitch Gaels 29

The Toronto Trojans made their second straight appearance in the A division, which had to be disappointing after opening the season with a AA title. The great salvage for tier one teams in the A division is always winning the title and, more importantly, the 46 points it represents.

The Trojans did not win the title last time around, so their 28 to 8 victory in Kingston’s A championship was crucial as it kept them near the very top of the Ontario standings--3rd place respectively. Congratulations guys!

We'd also like to congratulate the Scarborough Steelers on their fine Kingston run. For a new team of so many fresh faces, you've been able to beat some very talented squads.

Quarter-Finals

Toronto Trojans 32 vs Dodd’s Construction 20

Miss Enforcers 33 vs Ottawa Seminoles 18

Scar Steelers 28 vs Ham Chargers 21

Burlington Spartans 35 vs Toronto X-Men 6

Semi-Finals

Toronto Trojans 14 vs Burl Spartans 10

Scar Steelers 36 vs Miss Enforcers 12

Finals

Toronto Trojans 28 vs Scar Steelers 8

After splitting their round-robin contests, St Catherine’s Grasshoppers took their offensive output to new levels. From their preliminary contest to the championship game they advanced to, the Grasshoppers scored 30 or more points a game. They more than doubled every opponent during their streak, except their championship rivals, against whom they still beat convincingly.

In that BB title contest, the Grasshoppers beat the Southern Ontario Cobras, the team that beat them in their round-robin, to capture their second BB championship of the season. Congratulations guys!

Quarter-Finals

Ottawa Knights 43 vs T.O. Dirrty Birdz 14

Scar Raiders 24 vs Ottawa 360’s

St Cat’s Grasshoppers 39 vs Mtl Hitmen 12

S.O. Ontario Cobras 29 vs Ott Underdogs 28

Semi-Finals

S.O. Ontario Cobras 30 vs Ott Knights 6

St Cat’s Grasshoppers 33 vs Scar Raiders 14

Finals

St Cat’s Grasshoppers 30 vs S.O. Cobras 18

The Ottawa Spartans struggled in the early portion of the Kingston Limestone, much like they did at the Hamilton Bowl. Dropping both round-robin matches meant the Spartans would compete in the B division for the second straight Tour stop.

Almost replicating their Hamilton performance, rising stakes resulted in elevated play. Unlike the Hamilton bowl, however, their opponents were just as game, giving referees compelling contests to officiate. The Spartans edged out quarter- and semi-final opposition before slipping past the Kingston Vikings in a classic shoot-out in the finals, earning their second straight B title 32 to 30. Congratulations Spartans!

Quarter-Finals

Kitchener Stampeders 21 vs Burl Squires 6

Ottawa Spartans 25 vs Mtl Blue Bayou 18

Miss Gridiron 20 vs Ham Boilermakers 13

King Vikings 32 vs Oshawa Buckeyes 27

Semi-Finals

Ottawa Spartans 23 vs Miss Gridiron 20

Kingston Vikings 18 vs Kitch Stampeders 9

Finals

Ottawa Spartans 32 vs Kingston Vikings 30

Championship victories and the Ottawa Silver Bullets haven’t been synonymous in many years. Plagued by spotty participation, the Silver Bullets have long had difficulties fielding a squad, and even more trouble generating chemistry. Kingston was no exception for this team, as the Bullets competed with a short bench.

Dropping both round-robin contests, the Bullets landed in the C quarter-finals where they’d make full use over the valuable repetitions they acquired. Beating the Mississauga Punishers in an offensive-based 28 to 27 decision, the Bullets advanced to replicate that exact score against the Burlington Mandigos.

In the championship game, the fatigued but inspired Bullets, dug deep to pull out a 20 to 14 decision over the Burlington Renegades, earning their first title in years. Congratulations Bullets!

Quarter-Finals

Burl Mandingos 26 vs Miss Gators 0

Burl Renegades 27 vs Oshawa K.Beeezzz 0

Mtl Renegades 20 vs Markham Mustangs 14

Ott Silver Bullets 27 vs Miss Punishers 26

Semi-Finals

Ott Silver Bullets 28 vs Burl Mandingos 27

Burl Renegades 12 vs Mtl Renegades 8

Finals

Ott Silver Bullets 20 vs Burl Renegades 14

The defending women’s Canadian champions, Montreal’s Fleur De Lys (FDL), made their Trillium Tour debut at the Kingston stop; living up to their championship status throughout the tournament.

Riding the wave of their previous success, and harnessing the potential of their off-season acquisitions, the FDL opened the tournament in dominate fashion. Scoring 70 combined points in both round-robin contests, the FDL cruised to the AA prelims where their defence compensated for low offensive production, holding off the London Rebels in a 14 to 6 decision.

The FDL’s offence rebounded for semi-final action, and the timing couldn’t have been better as they faced the surging Toronto Wolverines, fresh off their second victory over the Ottawa Devils. The FDL earned a 5 point differential to advance to the finals to face their once dreaded arch-nemesis, the Toronto Shock.

The last time the Shock and the FDL battled for an elite title was at the Canadian championships in Winnipeg Manitoba, back in 2006. The Shock were an unstoppable force in that 35 to 6 victory, but that was four years ago.
While the Shock are missing key talent from that time, the FDL are haemorrhaging it, which was evidenced in their 47 to 0 Kingston victory. Congratulations on an incredible showing at the Kingston stop FDL. We can’t wait to see more!

Semi-Finals

Toronto Wolverines 22 vs Fleur De Lys 27

Toronto Shock 27 vs Mtl Les Geants 16

Finals

Mtl FDL 47 vs Toronto Shock 0

Suffering their second defeat of the season at the hands of the Toronto Wolverines in Kingston’s preliminary play meant that the Ottawa Devils would drop to the A division for the first time in nearly three years. The competition wasn’t easy for the defending Ontario champion Devils either, as they had to scrap for precious points on and off the field.

The Devils held off an improving London Rebels squad in a close semi-final battle before battling to an even closer result against the other Rebels (Toronto) in the championship game. Twenty-one to 20 was the final score for the Devils as they earned a second straight title and enough points to keep their rank at the very top of Ontario standings. Congratulations ladies!

Semi-Finals

Ottawa Devils 26 vs London Rebels 18

Toronto Rebels 6 vs Landell Lightning 0

Finals

Toronto Rebels 20 vs Ottawa Devils 21

The Ottawa Jets were off to a rocky start at the Kingston stop, dropping both round-robin contests. Their preliminary match posted better results, despite offensive struggles in their 7 to 0 victory over the Toronto Jaguars.

Offence was not a problem in elimination play as the Jets fired off consecutive one-sided showings to earn the first title of the season. Congratulations ladies!

Semi-Finals

Ottawa Jets 26 vs Mtl Titans 14

Scar Raiders 26 vs Toronto Rockets 12

Finals

Ottawa Jets 24 vs Scar Raiders 12

Kingston was a great weekend for the veteran Ottawa Fury. Aside from a forgettable preliminary, the Fury played sound football on both sides of the ball.

Undefeated in round-robin play, the Fury were flat in their next outing, sending them to B play-offs where they didn’t lose again. Defeating their rival Mavericks in the semi’s, the Fury advanced to the finals where they beat the Montreal Coyotes in a contested 14 to 6 match to earn their first title of the year. Congratulations ladies!

Semi-Finals

Mtl Coyotes 13 vs Toronto Jaguars 7

Ottawa Fury 18 vs Ott Mavericks 1

Finals

Ottawa Fury 14 vs Mtl Coyotes 6

After a solid round-robin showing, the Toronto Assassins dropped to CC eliminations where they continued to excel. Riding strong defensive play, the Assassins rattled off three consecutive victories. Congratulations ladies!

Quarter-Finals

Toronto Falcons 18 vs Ott Pirates 7

Ott Warrirors 6 vs Landell Thunder 0

T.O. Assassins 26 vs T.O. Venom 0

T.O. Mavericks 14 vs Ottawa Angels 6

Semi-Finals

T.O. Assassins 1 vs T.O. Mavericks 0

Ott Warriros 26 vs T.O. Falcons 14

After earning a convincing 20 to 0 victory over the Montreal Renegades in pool play, the St Catherine’s Hellcats lost a 21 to 20 heartbreaker to the Oshawa Buckeyes, which resulted in a drop down to the CC semi-finals.

Winning a close battle over the Toronto Hurricanes, the Hellcats dominated the Hustlin’ Owls in the finals to earn their first title of the season. Congratulations guys!

Semi-Finals

T.O. Hustlin’ Owls 14 vs Ott Alouettes 8

St Cat’s Hellcats 20 vs T.O. Hurricanes 12

Finals

St Cat’s Hellcats 24 vs T.O. Hustlin’ Owls 8

Like the Toronto Lancers in the DD division, the Hamilton Fighters had yet to compete for title, let alone earn one this season. The Firefighters didn’t help their cause in the early portion of the Kingston stop as they opened the tournament with an 0 and 2 record.

For their play-offs, however, the Firefighters would come to life offensively before finishing things off with a strong defensive showing. Winning their semi-final 34 to 10, the Firefighters advanced to shut-out the Burlington Broncos 6-0, earning them the crown. Congratulations guys!

Semi-Finals

Hamilton Firefighters 34 vs Ott 3rd & 10

Burl Broncos 27 vs Ham Wildcats 6

Finals

Ham Firefighters 6 vs Burl Broncos 0