The Battlefords AAA Sharks have been getting closer each week of Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League action and they finally earned their first win of the season Sunday.
The Sharks played Swift Current four times in nine days and each game was close, with the Sharks losing 2-0, 2-1, and 3-2, but Sunday, which officially marked the start of the second half of their season, was the Sharks' turn to win a close one.
"The strategy going into the weekend was to work hard, knowing that we could beat them," said coach Britt Penner.
The Sharks shut out the Swift Current Wildcats to earn the 1-0 win and as the final seconds ticked off the clock Penner explained the emotions of the team that has been fighting for this win.
"It was complete excitement between Jordan (Solomko) and I as well as the girls. We were all very excited and proud of ourselves," said Penner.
For Penner and assistant coach Jordan Solomko, who took control of the team after a coaching change in early November, it was their first wins behind the Sharks' bench.
The Sharks and Wildcats were scoreless after the first period and in the second, Raeanna Kelly scored on the power play with a point shot from Shayna Thomas and Kendra Gerbig for the game's only goal. The goal was Kelly's second of the season and all the Sharks would need.
The Sharks surrendered 17 shots in the second period and 11 in the third and like she has all season, Jacy Akre was there to shut the door for the Sharks making 38 saves for her first career shutout.
Saturday, the Sharks fell 3-2 to Wildcats after going up 2-0 in the first period. Affiliated player Jetta Derenoski scored 21 seconds into the game and Jamie Fedler netted the Sharks' second goal with five minutes remaining in the first, as both scored their second goals of the season. Thomas and Malory Roy drew assists.
Swift Current scored twice on 16 shots in the second period and late in the third to prevail for their fourth win of the season, third against the Sharks.
Akre faced 42 shots Saturday while the Sharks put 23 shots at the Wildcats' net.
The Sharks wrapped up their December schedule at home Tuesday against the Saskatoon Stars. The Sharks entered Tuesday's game with a 1-14-0-0 record and now enter their Christmas break. The Sharks will continue the second half of the season Jan. 7 and 8 in Regina.
"The girls know they can win now and no team is unbeatable in this league," said Penner. "We look to have more wins in the future and go from there."
