Playing hockey close to home

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Earlier this week, Canada captured gold at the World Junior Men’s Hockey Championship for the first time in six years.

And a 17-year old from Niagara Falls is playing a big part in that.

The venue isn’t as big and the names on the jerseys aren’t as recognizable but if you’re not watching the IIHF under-18 world women’s championship in Buffalo, according to fans, you’re doing yourself a disservice

“They are definitely missing out. The girls need more exposure and the hockey is just as good as the men’s. A lot of people should tune in to watch some of the future Olympians that are playing here. The passing and the shooting have come a long way, they can shoot pretty hard, and it’s an exciting game to watch.”

And it’s even more exciting when you’re related to someone on the ice. Niagara Falls native, Sarah Quaranta is donning the maple leaf for the first time at the tournament. It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work for the seventeen year old.

Parents Marcello and Angie Quaranta: “She is so determined. And as much as that was aggravating sometimes, it served her well because you have to have that to get to this level. I would never, never imagine that a Quaranta name would be on the back of a Team Canada jersey. It’s just beyond belief.”

One of the perks from playing just 30 minutes away from your hometown is that you literally have a bus load of people cheering you on.

“She’s smiling on the ice, she can see us, we made signs and everything for her. We’re so lucky to be able to come here, I know last year it was in Finland and I know she’d love to travel but it’s awesome she’s here so we can all support her.”

Canada beat the Czech Republic 7-1 in the last round-robin game and Sarah appreciates that she can share these moments with her loved ones: “I can have the people that supported me the entire time, especially my parents who have done everything for me and my brothers and sisters, my grandparents who have come. Even my school have supported me. They know how much I’ve worked for this and this means a lot to me.”

Heading straight to the semi-finals, Sarah knows her team has a golden opportunity to give Canada it’s fourth straight world junior championship: “Focus on what we need to win as a team, and accept our roles and we’ll go from there.”

Sarah will be attending Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh which is only about three and a half hours away. She got offers from other universities but decided to stay close to home.