Leschyshyn powers Stars to Game 2 victory

Saskatoon on verge of returning to SFMAAAHL finals

Anna Leschyshyn had two goals and two assists for the Stars.

    Anna Leschyshyn had the hot hand for the Saskatoon Stars on Monday night.

    The 16-year-old forward was in on each of her team’s first four goals scoring twice herself and assisting on two other tallies to push the Stars out to a 4-0 lead over the Rebels at the Co-operators Centre in Regina. Saskatoon proceeded to go up 5-0 and cruised with a 5-1 victory in Game 2 of a Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League semifinal series between the two clubs.

    With the win, the Stars take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. They will attempt to close the series out in Game 3 on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Agriplace Arena in Saskatoon. If the Stars win Game 3, they will advance to the SFMAAAHL championship series for a fourth straight year.

    In Monday’s clash, the two sides played through a scoreless first period before the Stars surged to a 3-0 lead in the second frame. The visitors extended their lead to 5-0 in the third before the hosts responded with their lone goal.

Kaitlin Jockims had a goal and two assists for the Stars.

    Leschyshyn scored the Stars first and third goals of the night. Kaitlin Jockims potted a single in the second period and had assists on both of Lechyshyn’s goals. Captain Mackenna Parker and rookie Calli Arnold netted singles in the third period for the Stars.

    Lauren Focht replied with Regina’s lone goal.

    Arden Kliewer turned away 24 shots to pick up the win in goal for the Stars. Chantel Weller turned away 35 shots to take the setback in goal for the Rebels.

    The Stars topped the SFMAAAHL regular season standings with a 24-3-1 record, while the Rebels were fourth overall in the league with a 17-8-3 mark.

    The other best-of-five SFMAAAHL semifinal series between the defending league champion Prince Albert Northern Bears, who were 22-5-1 in the regular season, and the Notre Dame Hounds, who were 20-7-1 in the regular season, is tied 1-1 after the Hounds took Game 2 on Sunday in Wilcox 4-1. Game 3 of that series is set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert.

Parker named SFMAAAHL MVP

Mackenna Parker was named the SFMAAAHL’s MVP.

    Saskatoon Stars captain Mackenna Parker was named the most valuable player of the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League on Saturday.

    The 17-year-old skilled centre captured the SFMAAAHL Hayley Wickenheiser MVP award after a stellar campaign leading the league in regular season scoring with 33 goals and 27 assists for 60 points. She equaled the Stars record for most points in one regular season first set in the 2011-12 campaign by Emily Clark, who played for Canada’s silver medal winning women’s hockey team at the Winter Olympics held in PyeongChang, South Korea, in February.

    Clark was also named the SFMAAAHL’s MVP in the 2011-12 campaign, when she recorded 26 goals and 34 assists for 60 points. The Stars had two other players capture SFMAAAHL MVP honours including Sara Greschner in the 2010-11 campaign and Sophie Shirley in 2014-15.

    Besides being named SFMAAAHL MVP, Parker capture honours as a first team all-star and the SFMAAAHL Kelly Bechard top scorer award.

Dana Wood won the SFMAAAHL’s Top Scholastic Player award.

    Joining Parker as a first team SFMAAAHL all-star was teammate and 16-year-old skilled centre Grace Shirley, who is Sophie’s younger sister.

    Stars 17-year-old defender Dana Wood was named the winner of the SFMAAAHL’s Carol Scheibel Top Scholastic Player award.

    Stars sophomore 15-year-old defender Ashley Messier was named a second team SFMAAAHL all-star.

    If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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