Cypress Classen has been locked in with the AAA Sharks this season. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Between the Pipes

Rookie standout, Classen a key piece to Sharks’ success

Nov 30, 2023 | 4:04 PM

Quickly approaching the official midway mark of their season schedule this weekend, the Battlefords AAA Sharks sit third overall in the Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League (SFU18AAAHL) standings, with a 6-6-0-2 record through 14 games.

A big reason for the team’s success this season has been the play of their starting goaltender, first-year standout, Cypress Classen.

Through nine games played, Classen is 4-5-0 with two shutouts and a 2.29 goals against average, to go along with a sparkling .930 save percentage, the best amongst all starting goaltenders in the league.

Head coach, Nolan Horbach said from the jump, she’s been ‘lights out’ for the team.

“Cypress has been a huge piece of our success,” the Sharks’ bench boss said. “Early in the year when we started out, we knew we were going to make some mistakes being a young team, but she’s the kind of kid that just thrives on those opportunities.

Grey Cup!!!

Everything you wanted and more

Nov 21, 2025

Ferland earns Grey Cup ring

'A wonderful human being': High school coach thrilled Logan Ferland is a Grey Cup champion

Nov 17, 2025

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

North Battleford funds early work to launch $80.2M arena and event centre fundraising campaign

Nov 17, 2025

“Our first game in Swift Current we might have given up four or five breakaways, and just the one got by her. She held us in the game early and really let our young group get our feet under us. Without her performance, we definitely aren’t sitting where we are so we’re really fortunate to have her.”

That penchant for making the big save when called upon is also reflected in Classen’s league-best 4.67 goals saved above average, while her workload speaks for itself with her 277 saves being nine ahead of the next closest goaltender, and 24 more than the rest of the field.

Perhaps most impressive about the 16-year-old’s play has been her continued improvement throughout the year, having stopped a staggering 141 of her last 149 shots for a 1.60 goals against average and .946 save percentage over the month of November.

Goalie coach with the Sharks, Sheldon Goertzen said what stands out most about Classen’s play is her drive to get better and continue to build on her game every time she’s on the ice.

“She comes in highly motivated, and she wants to improve and work,” Goertzen said. “She’s a very driven athlete to achieve her goals and be the best at the position she can be so she’s been fantastic to work with, and her athleticism and her quick reaction [time] are two things that really stand out. She’s able to react very quickly and adjust to snap up higher-speed shots.”

Classen and her Sharks’ teammates will return to action this weekend for back-to-backs at Regina’s Co-operators Centre against the league-leading Regina Avana Rebels (9-3-1-0). Saturday’s game will be a 5 p.m. start, with Sunday a 1 p.m. puck drop.

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1