Although they just missed out on a spot in the North Saskatchewan Female Midget AA Hockey League final, the Battlefords Midget AA Sharks made a tremendous impression in their inaugural campaign.
“This was a brand new program and we were within a couple of games of playing for the championships,” Sharks coach Jim Puffalt said.
“At the start of the season, we talked about being tenacious and giving everything that we had by working hard until the final whistle, and that’s what we did. We went a month without losing a game at the end of the year, and that included wins over the top three teams in the standings.”
The Sharks did battle with the league-leading Saskatoon Chargers in a two-game total-goal series last weekend, but came up just short by a score of 11-9.
In the opening matchup Friday, March 17 at Battleford Arena, the Sharks came out on top in a wild 7-5 affair, which was highlighted by a four-goal evening from Kaitlyn Korpach.
“It was a tremendous game to watch as it was pretty much back and forth the whole time,” Puffalt said.
“In third period, the girls came out flying and the pucks were bouncing our way. Kaitlyn’s line came up huge and it was impressive to watch.”
Sydney Geering had three assists for the Sharks Friday, while Misty Bird potted a pair of goals in the win.
Ryder Milne had a pair of helpers for the home team, who also had a goal from Madison Puffalt.
The series was decided Saturday, March 18 in Saskatoon, as the Chargers scored three goals in the third period on their way to a 6-2 win.
“Going into the second period, the series was tied up on goals at eight, so whoever scored next was more than likely going to win it all,” Puffalt said.
“We skated right with them once again and we had a ton of scoring chances earlier in the game, but things had switched around in their favour in the third and it was tough to come back.”
Geering and Korpach scored for the Sharks in the loss.
While the Sharks will see Geering, Bird and Morgan Lamontagne all graduate from the program, almost everyone can return for the 2017-18 season.
“There are a few players that I’m sure will move up to play with the Midget AAA Sharks as they have the speed and skill to play at that level, but most of the team has a couple more years of midget eligibility left,” Puffalt said.
“This won’t be an one year and out hockey team. The intent is to have a regional team that can carry on and recruit players to come to the Battlefords and give them the chance to develop and play a high level of hockey.”
