Battlefords AAA Sharks forward Anneka Aspaas. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Iron Sharpens Iron

Mandi Schwartz Memorial Tournament a learning experience for AAA Sharks

Dec 12, 2023 | 6:00 AM

The Battlefords AAA Sharks recently returned home from the 2023 Mandi Schwartz Memorial Tournament in Wilcox and Milestone, SK., representing the organization for the first time at the largest Female U18 AAA tournament in Western Canada.

Despite finishing with an 0-3-2 record at the end of the weekend, it would be hard to mark the team’s performance as anything other than a success.

“Our intention was there to go in and compete, and I think we did more than that,” head coach Nolan Horbach said. “It opened our eyes and I think we introduced people to who we are in a sense. Like I mentioned to the girls, as much as it may have felt defeating at times, that’s what development looks like. It was a big step for a young team and I couldn’t be prouder of the girls.”

The Sharks opened the tournament with a bang, nearly upsetting the top-ranked team nationally, the Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs. Taking a 3-2 lead into the third following a late-second period goal from Aidyn Konechny, the Sharks would hold their one-goal advantage into the final 2:50 of regulation when the Chiefs broke through to knot the score 3-3 to come away with the tie in the opener.

Following a 6-0 loss in their second game at the hands of the Edge Mountaineers, the Sharks would quickly bounce back with another tie in a 2-2 decision, this time against the Yellowhead Chiefs to close out round-robin play.

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Once again leading by a single goal late – this time on Cambree Legge’s first of the tournament, coming with just 4:55 to go in regulation time – the Sharks’ 2-1 advantage lasted to the final 39 seconds when Yellowhead punched through with the late equalizer to make it another tie.

In the playoff rounds, the Sharks closed out the tournament with back-to-back 4-1 and 5-0 defeats to the Notre Dame Hounds and Westman Wildcats.

Horbach said as the Sharks now look to return to SFU18AAAHL play this weekend with back-to-backs Saturday and Sunday against the league-leading Regina Avana Rebels, the team showed plenty of positives to build on, moving forward.

“We had some huge penalty kills at key points in the various games, we had some big goals and moments with different kids stepping up,” Horbach said. “We saw some great teams from across Canada and we were right there in a lot of the games, so it was a great experience and we’re hoping to get back there next year.”

Sharks’ goaltender and North Battleford product Mackenzie Seth was amongst the most impressive at her position in the tournament. Seth stopped 129 of 139 total shots over her three starts to post a .928 save percentage during the tournament, highlighted by a 57-save performance against Westman.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

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