The Battlefords WPD Ambulance Sharks head into the playoffs with an opportunity to bring the first league championship in franchise history to the Battlefords. (Image Credit: Byron Hildebrand Photography/Facebook)

By Ryan Lambert

SHARKS IN THE PLAYOFFS

Battlefords WPD Ambulance Sharks prep for first round clash with the Saskatoon Stars

Mar 13, 2026 | 10:33 AM

After having a bye through the first round of the playoffs, the Battlefords WPD Ambulance Sharks are set to get back on the ice for their first taste of playoff action against the Saskatoon Stars. 

The Stars advanced through the first round of the playoffs, taking down the Mann-Northway Northern Bears. Saskatoon lost the first game, but won the next two to advance.

The Sharks finished the regular season with a record of 25-1-3-1. With just two losses in total, Sharks head coach Nolan Horbach has high hopes for his squad.

“It’s a team of girls that should have confidence in knowing that we can skate with them, we can compete anytime we play them. On a number of different levels, I think we’re in a good spot.” 

One of those two losses for the Sharks was a 3-2 shootout loss to the Stars. Horbach said the team knows not to take their upcoming opponents lightly.

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“They’re defending league champions. They played in the gold medal game for (the) Esso Cup. So, they’ve got kids that know what it takes to win,” said Horbach. “All the girls know each other really well. So, we know what they have. They have a lot of talent on that side as well. We know it’s going to be a battle.” 

Since it’s only a three-game series, he said staying in every game until the very end is crucial. 

“We can’t let a bounce or a shift that doesn’t go our way get in our heads. I think if we do that, we’ll be okay. We’ll rely on the fact that (a lot of) the girls have been through this before, or a lot of them have, and we’ll be resilient in that regard.” 

The Sharks lost in the finals to the Stars last year.

“Even though it’s been a year, it’s still fresh in their mind and nobody wants to repeat that. There’s a lot of things we know to expect. For a lot of our girls, it’s their last go at it,” said Horbach. “Our young kids have had a great year, and they’ve come a long way. I know they’re ready to kind of support our graduating girls and help them put them over the top this year.” 

Horbach described the team’s depth as something that could especially give them an edge in the playoffs.  

“There’s been a number of kids that have (stepped) up. So, in that aspect, I think that’s our advantage is everybody’s got a chance to make an impact and there hasn’t been one specific person. It’s been by committee, and that’s really been our strength this year.” 

The Sharks have their first game on Saturday, March 14 when they host the Stars at Battleford Arena. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. 

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com