Stars one win away from SFMAAAHL title repeat

Jockims’ monster night gives Saskatoon 4-1 win in Game 2

Kaitlin Jockims had three points for the Stars on Monday.

    Kaitlin Jockims took her turn to become the latest star to step up in a big moment for the Saskatoon Stars.

    On Monday at the Co-operators Centre in Regina, Jockims had a pair of goals and an assist to help the visiting Stars erase a 1-0 first period deficit and down the host Rebels 4-1 in Game 2 of the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League championship series.

    With the win, the Stars take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. They will have their first chance to close out the series and win the Fedoruk Cup for a second straight year in Game 3 on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Merlis Belsher Place on the University of Saskatchewan campus in Saskatoon.

    In Monday’s game, the Rebels opened the scoring at the 10:51 mark of the first period on a goal from 15-year-old sophomore defender Sydney Pedersen.

    The Stars evened things up at 1-1 at the 3:34 mark of the second, when Jockims netted her first of the contest.

    With under three seconds to play in the second period, Jockims teamed up with captain Grace Shirley to set up Anna Leschyshyn for the go-ahead goal on the power play to give Saskatoon a 2-1 advantage.

Sydney Pedersen scored for the Rebels on Monday.

    Jockims proceeded to score a huge insurance marker to give the Stars a 3-1 edge with 2:50 remaining in the third period. Sophomore forward Calli Arnold rounded out the Stars scoring with an empty-net goal inside of the final 50 seconds of the third.

    Arden Kliewer made 20 saves to pick up the win in goal for the Stars. Chantel Weller turned away 23-of-26 shots to take the setback in net for the Rebels.

    Saskatoon finished first in the SFMAAAHL regular season with a 27-1 mark, while Regina was second with a 17-7-4 record.

    The Stars are trying to win their fourth SFMAAAHL title in the last five years. The Rebels won their lone SFMAAAHL title in 2013.

    If the Rebels win Game 3 on Tuesday to stay alive in the series, they would force a Game 4 to be held in Regina on Thursday at 7:45 p.m. at the Co-operators Centre. If a series-deciding Game 5 is required, it will be held on Sunday at 5:15 p.m. at Merlis Belsher Place.

    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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Arnold OT hero for Stars in Game 1 of SFMAAAHL final

Calli Arnold netted the OT winner for the Stars on Saturday night.

    Calli Arnold stepped into the spotlight for the Saskatoon Stars on Saturday night.

    The 15-year-old sophomore winger netted the winning goal at the 3:26 mark of overtime to give the Stars a 2-1 victory over the Regina Rebels in Game 1 of the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League championship series at Merlis Belsher Place. Game 2 of the best-of-five series is slated for Monday at 7:45 p.m. at the Co-operators Centre in Regina.

    Arnold’s goal was her first tally of the playoffs with veteran linemates Anna Leschyshyn and Joelle Fiala picking up assists.

    Going into the post-season, Arnold, who is from Dodsland, Sask., had a breakout out year netting 12 goals and 15 assists appearing in all of the Stars 28 regular season games.

Chantel Weller made 29 saves in goal for the Rebels on Saturday.

    The Stars jumped out to a 1-0 lead in Saturday’s contest as offensive-defender Ashley Messier netted a power-play goal at the 2:12 mark of the first period.

    Veteran forward Lauren Focht, who turned 17-years-old in January, scored for Regina at the 14:48 mark of the opening frame to force a 1-1 tie.

    The goaltenders for both sides had stellar performances in the SFMAAAHL title series opener.

    Arden Kliewer made 32 saves to pick up the win in goal for the Stars. Chantel Weller turned away 29 shots to take the setback in goal for the Rebels.

    Saskatoon finished first in the SFMAAAHL regular season with a 27-1 mark, while Regina was second with a 17-7-4 record. The Stars won three out of the four head-to-head regular season games with the Rebels.

    Game 3 of the series is set for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Merlis Belsher Place.

Stars alums Clark and Shirley win NCAA title with Badgers

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Worth the wait. NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

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    Saskatoon Stars alums Emily Clark and Sophie Shirley experienced a career highlight they will never forget.

    On Sunday, the two skilled forwards helped the University of Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team win their fifth National Collegiate Athletic Association title in team history. The top seeded Badgers blanked the second seeded University of Minnesota Golden Gophers 2-0 in the championship game of the women’s Frozen Four at the People’s United Centre in Hamden, Connecticut.

    Clark is a senior forward with the Badgers who was playing in her final NCAA career game. Shirley is a freshman with the Badgers.

    Both were held off the scoresheet in the championship final.

    Sophia Shaver and Annie Pankowski netted singles for the Badgers.

    Kristen Campbell, who is from Brandon, Man., made 27 saves to earn the shutout win in goal for the Badgers, who finished with a 35-4-2 overall record. Alex Gulstene turned away 30 shots to take the setback in goal for the Golden Gophers, who finished with a 32-6-1 overall record.

    Sunday’s win marked the first time the Badgers captured the NCAA title since 2011. A national championship in NCAA women’s hockey was first awarded in 2001.

    The Badgers blanked the fourth seeded Clarkson University Golden Knights 5-0 in a semifinal game on Friday. Clark had an assist in that contest.

    The Golden Knights won the NCAA title in each of the previous two years.

    Both Clark and Shirley are members of Canada’s national women’s hockey team program. Clark skates with the senior women’s team, and Shirley is a member of the national development team.

    Clark, who played for the Stars from 2009 to 2012, missed time at the beginning of the season due to an injured left leg. Skating in her fourth and final season with the Badgers, Clark has appeared in 34 overall games recording 14 goals, 14 assists and a plus-25 rating in the plus-minus department.

    Shirley, who played for the Stars from 2012 to 2015, had had an outstanding rookie season with the Badgers appearing in 41 overall games recording 20 goals, 18 assists and a plus-36 rating.

    The Golden Gophers blanked the Cornell University Big Red 2-0 in Friday’s other semifinal.

    Stars alum Willow Slobodzian is a sophomore defender for the Big Red. In 36 games with the Big Red this season, Slobodzian, who played for the Stars from 2014 to 2017, had four goals, eight assists and is a plus-22.

Willoughby captures Clarkson Cup with Inferno

All smiles from the 2019 Clarkson Cup Champs! pic.twitter.com/SgeQZAWTFh

— Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) March 24, 2019

    Kaitlin Willoughby capped her rookie season as a professional hockey player in championship style.

    The speedy winger helped the Calgary Inferno win the Clarkson Cup as Canadian Women’s Hockey League champions with a 5-2 win over Les Canadiennes de Montreal in the circuit’s title game in Toronto, Ont., on Sunday.

    Willoughby wasn’t able to collect any points in Sunday’s final Ricoh Coliseum, but she still finished a year playing key minutes on a stacked Inferno squad this past season.

    The Inferno led Sunday’s clash with Les Canadiennes 2-0 after the first period and 3-2 after the second framed before cruising to a three-goal victory.

    Zoe Hickel scored twice for the Inferno, while Halli Krzyzaniak, Brianna Decker and Rebecca Johnston had singles. Ann-Sophie Bettez scored both goals for Les Canadiennes.

    Alex Rigsby turned away 25 shots to pick up the win in goal for the Inferno. Emerance Maschmeyer stopped 26-of-30 shots taking the setback in goal for Les Canadiennes.

    The Inferno topped the CWHL regular season standings with a 23-4-0-1 record. Les Canadiennes finished second with a 21-6-0-1 mark.

    Willoughby has appeared in 27 regular season games with the Inferno collecting one goal and five assists. On March 11, the 23-year-old forward from Prince Albert, Sask., who originally hails from Canwood, Sask., captained Canada’s women’s hockey team to a silver medal win at the FISU Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

    Canada fell 2-0 in the gold medal game to the host Russian side. In six games at the tournament, Willoughby had a goal, three assists and was a plus-five.

    Before joining the Inferno, Willoughby was a star for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s hockey team from 2013 to 2018 finishing as the squad’s second all-time leading scorer posting 50 goals and 61 assists for 111 points in 132 career regular season games.

    From 2008 to 2013, Willoughby appeared in 96 regular season games with the SFMAAAHL’s Prince Albert Northern Bears piling up 34 goals and 63 assists for 97 points.

    While playing for the Inferno and for Canada at the FISU Winter Universiade, Willoughby is competing her studies in nursing at the U of Saskatchewan.

    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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Jockims on fire as Stars roll past Sharks in Battleford

Kaitlin Jockims picked up seven points for the Stars on Thursday.

    It seemed like everything Kaitlin Jockims touched turned to gold.

    On Thursday night at the Battleford Arena in Battleford, the veteran star winger piled up three goals and four assists for seven points to help power her Saskatoon Stars past the host Battlefords Sharks 10-2 in a Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League regular season clash. That marked the most points Jockims had ever recorded in a SFMAAAHL regular season game.

    Jockims picked up an assist on the Stars first goal and scored her team’s second goal to give the visitors a 2-0 edge after the first period. She netted her second goal of the contest at the 2:02 mark of the second period to give the Stars a 3-0 advantage.

    Saskatoon cruised from there to hold a 5-1 lead after the second period before rolling on to a convincing victory.

    Thanks to her monster game, Jockims sits second in the SFMAAAHL scoring race piling up 19 goals and 23 assists for 42 points in 22 regular season games. All of her offensive totals are career highs.

Grace Shirley had four points for the Stars on Thursday.

    Saskatoon captain Grace Shirley also had a memorable night. She netted a hat trick and picked up an assist to equal former teammate Mackenna Parker as the Stars all-time leading scorer in regular season play.

    Since joining the Stars as an associate player call up in the 2014-15 campaign, Shirley has appeared in 103 career regular season games piling up 93 goals and 65 assists for 158 points.

    Parker, who was Saskatoon’s captain last season, appeared in 104 career regular season games for the Stars from 2014 to 2018 collecting 82 goals and 76 assists for her 158 points.

    Ashley Messier, Halle Helperl, Calli Arnold and Jayda Sachs all picked up singles for the Stars.

Sydney Rowley and Brooklyn Rowley replied with singles for the Sharks.

    Kaitlyn Cadrain turned away 17 shots to pick up the win in goal for the Stars, who improved to 23-1 and have first placed clinched in the SFMAAAHL. Yelena Zaleschuk turned away 36 shots to take the setback in goal for the Sharks, who fell to 10-12-4 to sit sixth in the SFMAAAHL.

    The Stars return to action Saturday, when they host the Notre Dame Hounds at 12:30 p.m. at Merlis Belsher Place.

    The Sharks hit the ice again on Feb. 16, when they travel to Melville to face the Prairie Fire at 7 p.m. at the Horizon Credit Union Centre.

Hounds blank Rebels for fifth straight win

Chantel Weller made 19 saves in goal for the Rebels on Thursday.

    Kaitlyn Ross was the wall for the Notre Dame Hounds.

    The 17-year-old veteran netminder had a monster outing on Thursday making 38 saves to help her Hounds blank the Rebels in Regina 2-0 at the Co-operators Centre in a SFMAAAHL regular season contest. The shutout was the fourth of the season for Ross and the eighth of her SFMAAAHL career.

    Veteran 17-year-old forward Lyndsey Janes scored to give the Hounds a 1-0 lead with 6:32 remaining in the third period and she sealed the win with an empty-net goal inside of the final minute of the frame.

    Chantel Weller turned away 19-of-20 shots to take the setback in goal for the Rebels.

    The Hounds have won their last five straight games to improve to 11-9-3 to sit fifth in the SFMAAAHL.

    The Rebels fell to 16-6-3 and sit second in the SFMAAAHL standings.

    The Hounds travel to Saskatoon on Saturday to face the Stars at 12:30 p.m. at Merlis Belsher Place.

    The Rebels hit the ice again on Feb. 15, when they travel to Prince Albert to face the Northern Bears at 7 p.m. at the Kinsmen Arena.

    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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Shirley passes Zary as Stars second all-time leading scorer

Grace Shirley has become the Stars second all-time leading scorer.

    Grace Shirley continued to cement her place as one of the greatest to ever play in the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League last weekend.

    On Saturday at Crescent Point Place in Weyburn, Shirley picked up an assist on the Saskatoon Stars first goal of the game against the host Richardson Pioneer Gold Wings to become the second all-time leading scorer in the history of the Stars program. The Stars captain teamed with offensive defender Ashley Messier to set up Anna Leschyshyn for a goal just 19 seconds into the contest to give the Stars a 1-0 lead.

    The assist on Leschyshyn’s marker gave Shirley 127 regular season points in her SFMAAAHL career moving her one point past Lauren Zary for second on the Stars all-time scoring list.

    Zary, who is a former Stars captain, collected her 126 points off 44 goals and 82 assists playing 103 career regular season games for the Stars from 2008 to 2012. Following her time with the Stars, Zary played for the Brown University Bears women’s hockey team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association ranks and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s hockey team in U Sports. 

    Her 82 career assists is the Stars team record, and she is the sixth all-time leader in career regular season points in the SFMAAAHL.

    Against the Gold Wings on Saturday, Shirley, who stands 5-foot-8, piled up four goals and two assists as the Stars romped to a 14-1 victory. Thanks to that effort, Shirley, who has been a member of Canada’s national under-18 women’s hockey team, now has 77 goals and 55 assists for 132 points in 88 career SFMAAAHL regular season games.

    The 17-year-old centre vaulted to fourth on the SFMAAAHL’s career regular season points list passing Brienna Gillanders in the process. Gillanders, who is now the circuit’s fifth all-time leader in career regular season points, piled up 57 goals and 74 assists for 131 points playing 111 career regular season games from 2006 to 2010 with the Swift Current Diamond Energy Wildcats and the Notre Dame Hounds.
    She moved on to play for the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs women’s hockey team.

Grace Shirley has scored 77 career regular season goals for the Stars.

    Shirley, who has committed to play for the NCAA’s University of Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team next season, jumped into third on the SFMAAAHL’s career regular season goals list as well passing Alyssa Wiebe. Wiebe piled up 74 goals and 68 assists for 142 points in 55 regular season games with the Hounds playing in the SFMAAAHL’s first two regular seasons ever from 2006 to 2008. 

    Wiebe, who moved on the play for the now defunct University of North Dakota women’s hockey team in the NCAA, is the third all-time regular season leading scorer in the SFMAAAHL.

    Former Stars superstar Mackenna Parker graduated from the club at the end of last season finishing as the second all-time leading scorer in the history of the SFMAAAHL with 158 points coming off 82 goals and 76 assists in 104 career regular season games. A former Saskatoon team captain, Parker, who now plays for the Boston University Terriers women’s hockey team in the NCAA, is the Stars all-time leading scorer.

    Sophomore 15-year-old forward Calli Arnold had a big game for the Stars on Saturday piling up three goals and three assists, while Messier recorded a goal and five assists. Defender Emily Holmes had five assists for the Stars, and forward Kaitlin Jockims had two goals and two assists.

    Kaylee Baun, Joelle Fiala and Abby DeCorby round out the goal scoring for the Stars with singles.

Kaitlyn Cadrain turned away 15 shots to pick up the win in goal for Saskatoon.

    Kira Barham had the lone reply for the Gold Wings, and her tally tied things up at 1-1 for a time in the first period.

    Amara Lewendon turned away 46 shots to take the setback in goal for the Weyburn.

Sunday’s encounter by these same two clubs in Weyburn was a lot more hotly contested. With the two teams locked in a 2-2 tie, rookie 15-year-old defender Bridget Rezansoff scored short-handed at the 7:56 mark of the second period to give the Stars a 3-2 lead.

    Rezansoff’s tally, which was her first career SFMAAAHL regular season goal, would hold up as the game winner. Jockims scored a late third period goal for Saskatoon to secure a 4-2 victory.

Makena Kushniruk and Chace Sperling both had singles for the Stars.

Grace Shirley is the SFMAAAHL’s fourth all-time leading scorer.

    Veteran netminder Arden Kliewer turned away 17 shot to pick up the win for Saskatoon. The Stars improved to 6-0 with their two victories.

    Madison Lafoy and Mahteya Dumelie replied with singles for the Gold Wings.

    Daneka Dickson stopped 39 shots to take the setback in goal for Weyburn. The Gold Wings fell to 0-6 with their two losses.

    The Gold Wings held Shirley pointless in Sunday’s contest.

    The Stars return to action on Nov. 3, when they host their home opener at 7:30 p.m. against the Battlefords Sharks at Merlis Belsher Place. That contest will mark the Stars debut at the new rink on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

    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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Stars sink defending Esso Cup champion Slash

Saskatoon a win away from locking up first in round robin play

Mackenna Parker had the winning goal for the Stars on Tuesday.

    The Saskatoon Stars picked up their biggest win at this year’s Esso Cup knocking off the defending champs.

    On Tuesday, the Stars improved to 3-0 in round robin play at the female midget AAA hockey championship tournament downing the defending national champion St. Albert Slash from Alberta 4-1. The Stars trailed 1-0 early before rallying with four straight goals at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre in Bridgewater, N.S.

    The Slash are trying to become the first team to win the Esso Cup in consecutive years. They fell to 2-1 with the setback.

    Saskatoon has opened the Esso Cup on an impressive run. The Stars blanked the Brampton Canadettes from Ontario 5-0 on Sunday and the Pionnieres de Lanaudiere from Quebec 3-0 on Monday.

    With the victory over the Slash, the Stars have defeated the teams from the three provinces in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta that traditionally do well at the Esso Cup, which is being held for the 10^th time this year.

    In Tuesday’s encounter between the Slash and Stars, St. Albert jumped in front 1-0 on a goal from Allison Reich at the 7:19 mark of the first period.

    Just over six minutes later, the Stars evened things up at 1-1 on a goal from rookie left-winger Calli Arnold, who turned 15 earlier this month. Stars superstar captain Mackenna Parker scored to give the Stars a 2-1 lead just 30 seconds after Arnold scored.

    Saskatoon held a 9-5 edge in shots on goal after the first period.

Jayda Sachs had an assist for the Stars on Tuesday.

    The Slash came with a big push back in the second holding a 12-7 edge in shots on goal, but they were unable to solve Stars 17-year-old veteran goalie Jordan Ivanco. Saskatoon continued to hold a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes.

    The Stars proceeded to find another gear in the third period. Defender Dana Wood and right-winger Jayda Sachs set up Joelle Fiala for a goal to give Saskatoon a 3-1 edge.
    Anna Leschyshyn netted the Stars final tally to seal victory for the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League champs. Saskatoon held a 16-4 edge in shots on goal in the third period.

    Ivanco stopped 20 shots to pick up the win in goal for the Stars. Camryn Drever turned away 28 shots to take the setback in goal for the Slash.

    The Slash went a perfect 7-0 at last year’s Esso Cup tournament to win the national championship. They saw their nine game overall winning streak at the Esso Cup come to an end with Tuesday’s loss.

    With the win, the Stars clinch a berth in one of Friday’s two semifinal matches. Saskatoon needs to win one of its final two games in round robin play to lock up first place in the round robin standings.

    On Wednesday, the Stars return to action taking on the host Metro Boston Pizza (0-2-1) squad. The Stars conclude their round robin schedule on Thursday against the Northern Subway Selects (1-1-1) from New Glasgow, N.S.

    Six teams take part in the Esso Cup, and the top four clubs advance on to two semifinal games to be held Friday. The tournament’s bronze and gold medal games are slated for Saturday, and the gold medal final will be shown live at 4 p.m. Saskatchewan time on TSN.

Back in the Express with Mandarich

    I was back in the Saskatoon Express this week with a story on former NFL offensive lineman Tony Mandarich.

    Mandarich will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Dogs’ Breakfast, which will be held May 3 at 6:45 a.m. at Prairieland Park. The Dogs’ Breakfast raises funds for scholarships for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team.

    Born and raised in Oakville, Ont., Mandarich became a star in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s top football division with the Michigan State University Spartans being named a consensus all-American in 1988 and the Big 10 Conference lineman of the year in 1987 and 1988.

    He was dubbed by Sports Illustrated as “the best offensive lineman prospect ever” and selected in the first round and second overall by the Packers in the 1989 NFL Draft behind quarterback Troy Aikman, who would later enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

    After three lacklustre seasons, the Packers released Mandarich and Sports Illustrated labeled him “The NFL’s Incredible Bust” in a 1992 article.

    He battled drugs and alcohol abuse until his family intervened in March of 1995 and helped him enter rehab and become sober. In an often overlooked epilogue to his time in the NFL, Mandarich returned to the league playing three season for the Indianapolis Colts, which included starting all 16 games in the 1997 campaign.

    A shoulder injury pushed him into retirement following the 1998 season.

    These days, Mandarich lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, pursuing a passion as a full-time photographer, creative and digital artist creating commercial and advertising campaigns for clients.

    The Saskatoon Express story on Mandarich can be found right here.

    Anyone looking for tickets to the Dogs’ Breakfast can do so by clicking here.

    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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Stars get 40th win with 2-0 start at Esso Cup

Joelle Fiala had a goal and an assist for the Stars on Sunday.

    The Saskatoon Stars have quickly turned heads at this year’s Esso Cup.

    The defending Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League champions have jumped out to a 2-0 start posting wins at the female midget AAA hockey national championship tournament over the representatives from Ontario and Quebec at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre in Bridgewater, N.S. The teams from Ontario and Quebec traditionally do well at the six-team national championship tournament, which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year.

    With those wins, the Stars improved their overall record to 40-6-1. They have won 40 or more games overall in three of the last four seasons. Their lifetime record at the Esso Cup improved to 10-6 as well having won a bronze medal at the 2015 tourney and finishing fourth at the 2016 event.

    On Sunday, the Stars downed the Brampton Canadettes from Ontario 5-0. Grace Shirley, Calli Arnold, Joelle Fiala, Kaitlin Jockims and Kianna Dietz all netted singles for the Stars. Fiala had an assist to go along with her goal, while Ashley Messier and Jayda Sachs both had two assists each.

    Jordan Ivanco made 12 stops to pick up the shutout win in goal for the Stars. Hannah Szczepanowski turned away 22 shots to take the setback in goal for the Canadettes.

    On Monday, the Stars blanked the Pionnieres de Lanaudiere from Quebec 3-0. Mackenna Parker and Anna Leschyshyn each had a goal and an assist, while Shirley had a goal for the second straight game.

Grace Shirley scored for the Stars on Monday.

    Arden Kliewer made 19 stops to pick up the shutout win in goal for the Stars. Leila Cecilia Lotke Salinas turned away 43 shots to take the setback in goal for the Pionnieres.

    The Stars continue round robin play on Tuesday against the defending Esso Cup champion St. Albert Slash from Alberta. The Slash defeated the Pionnieres 3-2 after a tiebreaking shootout on Sunday and bombed the host Metro Boston Pizza squad 8-0 on Monday.

    The Slash are trying to become the first team ever to win the Esso Cup in two straight years.

    The Stars, who are 10-0 in this year’s post-season, are trying to become the first Saskatchewan based team to win the title since the Weyburn Gold Wings in 2014.

    The round robin schedule for the Esso Cup runs through until Thursday. The top four teams advance on to two semifinal games to be held Friday. The tournament’s bronze and gold medal games are slated for Saturday, and the gold medal final will be shown live at 4 p.m. Saskatchewan time on TSN.

    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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A sweep return to Esso Cup for SFMAAAHL champion Stars

Clock strikes midnight on Selects’ “Cinderella” campaign

The Stars are going back to the Esso Cup. (Photo courtesy Jason Schneider)

    The Saskatoon Stars offensive firepower proved to be too much for the Eastman Selects to handle.

    The Stars swept a best-of-three Western regional playdown series between the two clubs 2-0 over the weekend at the T.G. Smith Centre in Steinbach, Man. The Stars claimed Game 1 on Friday night 7-0 and closed out the series with a 6-2 victory in Game 2 on Saturday.

    With the series victory, the Stars advance to the six-team Esso Cup national female midget AAA championship tournament to be held April 22 to 28 in Bridgewater, N.S. This will mark the third time over the last four years the Stars have advanced to the Esso Cup. They won a bronze medal at the 2015 tournament in Red Deer, Alta., and finished fourth at the 2016 tournament in Weyburn, Sask.

    In the series with the Selects, the Stars entered as the favourites finishing first in the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League with a 24-3-1 regular season record. They advanced through the SFMAAAHL playoffs win a 6-0 record.

    The Selects, who are based out of Ste. Anne, Man., finished fifth in the seven team Manitoba Female AAA Midget Hockey League with a 13-12-5 record. They proceeded to roll off three upset best-of-five series victories to capture the MFMHL title for the first time in team history.

    In quarter-final series, the Selects swept the Shoal Lake based Yellowhead Chiefs 3-0, and the Chiefs were 14-10-6 in regular season play. In a semifinal series, the Selects got past the Winnipeg Avros 3-1, and the Avros topped the MFMHL standings with a 25-5 record.

    In the MFMHL finals, the Selects faced the defending league champion Pembina Valley Hawks, who are based out of Morden. The Hawks finished second in the MFMHL with a 20-8-2 record. On the strength of a pair of overtime victories to close out the series, the Selects prevailed 3-1 to capture the Manitoba championship.

Captain Mackenna Parker scored three goals for the Stars this past weekend.

    Saskatoon received goals from five different players in their 7-0 victory in Game 1 on Friday. Captain Mackenna Parker and Grace Shirley each scored twice, while Kaitlin Jockims, Calli Arnold and Jordyn Gerlitz each netted singles. Jordan Ivanco made 13 saves to pick up the win in goal for the Stars.

    Raygan Kirk stopped 15-of-19 shots fired her way starting in goal for the Selects before being pulled after the first period. Meagan Relf turned away 28-of-31 shots playing the rest of the way in relief.

    In Saturday’s 6-2 victory by the Stars in Game 2, Anna Leschyshyn scored twice for Saskatoon, while Jockims, Parker, Kianna Dietz and Jayda Sachs had singles. Ivanco turned away 17 shots to pick up the win in goal for the Stars.

    Chelsea Dinnin and Samantha Christensen replied with singles for the Selects. Kirk turned away 39 shots going the distance taking the setback in goal for the Selects.

    The Stars have nine players on their roster remaining from the team’s 2016 appearance in the Esso Cup including Ivanco, Dana Wood, Leschyshyn, Parker, Dietz, Shirley, Gerlitz, Joelle Fiala and Jordyn Holmes. Their experience is expected to be key for the squad going forward.

    Besides capturing the Lanchbery Family Trophy as Western regional playdown series winners, the Stars honoured the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League on Saturday wearing green and gold tape on their skates and sticks. The junior A Broncos’ team bus was involved in a tragic accident on Friday with a semi-trailer truck, and 15 people on the bus died as a result.

Today we play for a chance to represent Saskatchewan at the @HC_EssoCup but we are reminded this is a game that brings us together as 1 #WILL Today we play for the @HumboldtBroncos #SaskProud 💚💛 pic.twitter.com/bxt7cclQ7j

— Saskatoon Stars (@StoonStarsAAA) April 7, 2018

    The Selects raised $700 for the GoFundMe account to support the Broncos.

On behalf of the @StoonStarsAAA and the Eastman Selects at the Western Regional Series we are proud to donate $700 to the Humboldt Broncos. Thank you to all who made this possible. #WesternRegionalSeries #PrayersForHumboldt #HockeyIsFamily pic.twitter.com/B8IRGynFyC

— Eastman Selects (@Eastmanfemale) April 7, 2018

    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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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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Stars’ Parker bangs home tally #75, sits second in career SFMAAAHL goals

Mackenna Parker (#11) celebrates her 75th career regular season goal.

    Mackenna Parker’s 100^th career Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League regular season game turned into a bigger major milestone night.

    On Thursday at the Agriplace Arena, the 17-year-old captain of the Saskatoon Stars captured another lofty career league accomplishment. With the Stars holding a 4-3 lead over the visiting Battlefords Sharks, Parker banged home a goal in front of the visiting net to put her squad up 5-3 at the 3:26 mark of the third period.

    That tally was Parker’s 75 career regular season goal, and it allowed her to sit alone in second on the SFMAAAHL’s all-time career regular season goals list. Saskatoon product Alyssa Wiebe, who played for the Notre Dame Hounds in the SFMAAAHL’s first two campaigns of existence from 2006 to 2008, now sits third on the SFMAAAHL’s all-time career regular season goals list with 74 tallies.

Stars captain Mackenna Parker (#11) battles a Sharks player.

    Parker’s goal on Thursday sparked a surge that allowed the Stars to skate away with a 7-3 victory.

    The Clavet product was pleasantly surprised to hear she now sat alone in second place on the SFMAAAHL’s career regular season goals list.

    “I think it is amazing,” said Parker, who stands 5-foot-5. “It is nice to know that all my work has paid off.

    “It is my teammates too over the past four years. It is not just me that is putting in the work, so yeah, it is an amazing feeling.

    “I just kept banging on it in front of the net. I got my own rebound. It is pretty much what happened.”

    The skilled centre’s night got off to an upbeat start. She picked up assists on the Stars first two goals coming from the sticks of 14-year-old rookie Calli Arnold and 17-year-old veteran Jordyn Holmes to give the host side a 2-0 first period lead.

Mackenna Parker sets up to shoot a backhanded shot.

    Thanks to the three-point night, Parker has piled up 26 goals and 25 assists in the current campaign for 51 points to become the second player in the history of the Stars to score 50-or-more points in one regular season.

    Emily Clark, who is playing for Canada’s women’s hockey team at the Winter Olympics that are just starting in PyeongChang, South Korea, is the only other player to score more points for the Stars in one regular season than Parker. Clark piled up 26 goals and 34 assists in 26 regular season games for the Stars in the 2011-12 campaign.

    “It is so cool,” said Parker about doing something only Clark had done with the Stars. “I don’t even know.

    “It is so amazing. It is my goal to be the best that I can be, and it is nice to know that is paying off.”

    Earlier this season, Parker became the SFMAAAHL’s second all-time career leading scorer in the regular season. She has 74 career assists to go with her 75 career goals to total 149 points.

    With four games remaining in her regular season career at the midget AAA level, she is way out of range to jump into the top spot for career regular season goals or points in the SFMAAAHL.

Mackenna Parker has scored 51 points so far this season.

    Moose Jaw product Olivia Howe, who played 106 career regular season contests over four seasons with the Hounds from 2008 to 2012, is the SFMAAAHL’s all-time career leader in regular season goals (107), assists (100) and points (207).

    In what has been a memorable current campaign, Parker played for Canada at the International Ice Hockey Federation’s Under-18 Women’s World Championship that wrapped up Jan. 13 in Dmitrov, Russia. Parker helped Canada win a bronze medal, and she was joined on the Canadian squad by current Stars teammate Grace Shirley and former stars teammate Willow Slobodzian, who plays for the Cornell University Big Red women’s hockey team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association ranks.

    “It is an amazing feeling to go to Russia,” said Parker. “It is a once in a lifetime experience, so I have to take it in.

Grace Shirley scored a pair of goals for the Stars.

    “It was so much fun. It was so nice knowing that I had friends with me by my side the entire time and making friends there too. I am so glad that they (Shirley and Slobodzian) were both able to go.”

    The Sharks stayed tight with the Stars for much of Thursday’s contest. Sharks forward Ensley Fendelet scored on the power play before first period ended to cut the Stars lead to 2-1.

    Early in the second, Joelle Fiala tallied for the Stars to increase their edge to 3-1, but Sharks defender Cassidy Carlson fired home a goal with 7:27 remaining in the second to cut Saskatoon’s advantage to 3-2. Shirley scored on a backhand shot with 9.3 seconds remaining in the second to give the Stars a 4-2 lead.

    Defender Keera Tiringer tallied for the Sharks 92 seconds into the third to trim the Stars edge to 4-3.

    Parker scored a short time later to put the Stars up 5-3. Saskatoon’s scoring was rounded out by a single from Kaitlin Jockims and Shirley’s second tally of the contest.

    Arden Kliewer made 16 stops to pick up the win in goal for the Stars. Chloe Burt turned away 38 shots to take the setback in goal for the Sharks.
    Centre Kianna Dietz played her in 100th career SFMAAAHL regular season contest with the Stars on Thursday picking up one assist.

Calli Arnold (#9) scored the Stars first goal on Thursday.

    “I think we came out maybe a bit slow in the first and second,” said Parker. “We can’t take teams for granted either.

    “We have to keep going. I think in the third that is when we started to go, and that is what paid off on the scoreboard.”

    The Stars improved to 20-3-1 to move into first place in the SFMAAAHL with 58 points in the standings to hold a one-point edge over the Prince Albert Northern Bears (19-4-1). In the SFMAAAHL, three points are awarded in the standings for regulation wins, two points for extra time wins and one point for extra time setbacks.

    The Stars, who had won six straight, earned their 58 points from 17 regulation wins, three extra time victories and one extra time setback. The Bears have 57 points in the standings coming off 18 regulation wins, one extra time win and one extra time setback.

The Stars celebrate a goal and moved into first in the SFMAAAHL.

    Both teams have four games remaining on their respective regular season schedules.

    Parker enters her team’s final four regular season contests needing to record one point for 150 in her regular season career. She is also two goals away from equaling the Stars team record for goals in one regular season at 28, which was set by Sara Greschner in the 2010-11 campaign.

    The Stars return to action on Saturday, when they host the Regina Rebels (16-6-3) at 7:45 p.m. at the Agriplace Arena.

    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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Hilltops, AKO Fratmen bring standouts to Canadian Bowl

QB Jordan Walls has had a big impact on the Hilltops.

    The Saskatoon Hilltops and the Windsor AKO Fratmen will bring some outstanding athletes to the field, when they collide for the Canadian Football League title.

    On Saturday, The Hilltops (10-1) and AKO Fratmen (9-1) will battle it out in the Canadian Bowl in Windsor, Ont., at Alumni Field on the campus of the University of Windsor (12 p.m. Saskatchewan time, www.we-tv.ca). The Hilltops are trying to become the first team in the history of the CJFL to win four straight league championships and their 20^th title overall in team history.

    The AKO Fratmen are trying to capture their fourth CJFL title in team history and first since they defeated the Kelowna, B.C., based Okanagan Sun in 32-29 in 1999.

    On Thursday, the CJFL announced its all-Canadian offensive all-stars, and it was no surprise to find Hilltops fifth-year star running back Logan Fischer on that list. His career with the Hilltops is filled with numerous big game performances, and he captured the most outstanding offensive player of the game award in Saskatoon’s Canadian Bowl victories in each of the last two years.

    This season, Fischer carried the ball 121 times for 804 yards and scored 11 touchdowns during his team’s eight-game regular season.

RB Logan Fischer has been a big game player his whole Hilltops career.

    The Hilltops have depth at running back as both Adam Machart and Joshua Ewanchyna had standout seasons. In the regular season, Machart carried the ball 83 times this season piling up 686 yards, and he scored three touchdowns. Ewanchyna appeared in five regular season games for the Hilltops and carried the ball 37 times for 320 yards and six touchdowns.

    Saskatoon’s running backs are able to motor their way upfield thanks to the work of a powerful offensive line that includes right tackle Kirk Simonsen and left tackle Mason Ochs, who were both named CJFL all-Canadians.

    Due to the fact the Hilltops can run the ball so well, one almost forgets they are strong through the air. Fourth-year quarterback Jordan Walls, who was in his first full campaign as the team’s starter, had a strong campaign completing 124-of-202 passes for 1,870 yards, 16 touchdowns and two interceptions in the regular season.

RB Adam Machart had a breakout season with the Hilltops.

    Fifth-year receiver Ryan Turple was the Hilltops most dangerous pass catcher during the regular season setting career highs in catches (33) and yards (542). He matched his career high in touchdown catches with three.

    Windsor didn’t place any players on the CJFL’s offensive all-star team, but they have strong group of playmakers. Quarterback Brandon Reaume completed 92-of-136 passes for 1,827 yards, 21 touchdowns and three interceptions in seven regular season appearances.

    AKO Fratmen receiver Devon Woods was named an Ontario Football Conference all-star catching 22 passes for 496 yards and five touchdowns in his team’s eight-game regular season.

    On the ground, AKO Fratmen running back D’Angelo Knox topped the OFC in rushing during the regular season running the ball 71 times for 654 yards and six touchdowns.

    DeMarcus Ware and Mustapha Mehry were the cornerstones of the Windsor offensive line and both made the OFC all-star team.

    Both sides have plenty of players that can stop the opposition on defence.

DE Riley Pickett piled up sacks for the Hilltops.

    Hilltops defensive lineman Riley Pickett and defensive back Colton Holmes were both named to the CJFL all-star team on Wednesday.
    Pickett had 15 solo tackles and nine sacks in eight regular season games. Holmes had 22 solo tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery during regular season play.

    Middle linebacker Cameron Schnitzler and defensive lineman Tom Schnitzler, who are cousins, are looking to end their fifth and final seasons with the Hilltops with another national championship rink. 

    Cameron Schnitzler had 33 solo tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery over the Hilltops eight regular season games.
    Tom Schnitzler faced constant double teams and still recorded 14 solo tackles, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and one sack during the regular season.

    Safety James Vause is a key player in the Hilltops secondary, and he recorded 18 tackles and 11 assisted tackles during the regular season. 

Cameron Schnitzler directs the Hilltops defence at middle linebacker.

    Defensive lineman Adam Slikboer was the only CJFL defensive all-star for Windsor.
    He has 13 solo tackles and four sacks during the regular season.

    AKO Fratmen defensive lineman Jacob Benson made the OFC all-star team recording six solo tackles and four sacks during the regular season.
    Defensive back Elijah Blythe also made the OFC all-star team making 10 solo tackles and four interceptions during the regular season.

    Thanks to winning the last three straight Canadian Bowls and six out of the last seven CJFL titles, the Hilltops are favoured in this year’s CJFL championship game.
    The AKO Fratmen do have enough pieces to make an upset possible.

New “Smuker’s Lounge” to be part of new U of S rink

Cody Smuk at the Rutherford Rink on Jan. 30, 2015.

    The late Cody Smuk’s memory will be part of the new University of Saskatchewan twin-pad hockey rink – Merlis Belsher Place.

    On Thursday, the U of Saskatchewan Huskies announced Inland Steel Products, a local scrap metal recycling company, has donated $150,000 to the Home Ice Campaign to create a new “Smuker’s Lounge” in Merlis Belsher Place, which is currently under construction. The lounge will be built in honour of Smuk, who was a player with the U of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey team who lost his battle with cancer in June of 2015 at age 26.

    After Smuk’s passing, the centre ice broadcast booth and attached team function area on the second floor of the Rutherford Rink was named “Smuker’s Lounge” in honour of the hard-working, gritty, glue-guy forward. The donation by Inland Steel Products ensures a “Smuker’s Lounge” will be part of the new rink facility. It will be a gathering spot for players, alums and Smuk’s friends to gather and reminisce while cheering on the Huskies.

    Matt Ditlove of Inland Steel said his family wanted to make a substantial investment back into the community to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of their business and saw an opportunity to honour a family friend as well.

    Darla Smuk, Cody’s mother, said she and her family were honoured to find out “Smuker’s Lounge” will be part of the new rink.

    “It meant a lot to Cody to be a part of the Huskies program,” said Darla Smuk in a release. “He was always very proud to wear the Huskie jersey and do his very best for the team.

    “This is a beautiful gift Matt (Ditlove) and his family are giving our son. His memory will live on in the new facility, and he will be remembered. We can’t thank Matt and his family enough for their kindness and generosity now and during Cody’s battle with cancer.”

    Cody Smuk played four seasons with the Huskies from 2010 to 2014, and he posted six goals and 14 assists in 89 career U Sports regular season games.

    Due to the fact he was good natured, easy going and genuine, he easily became one of the most popular players on his own team and amongst all teams that are part of the Huskies program.

    He exemplified the hard work and determination that are characteristics the Huskies hockey teams want to see in themselves that also led to creating the motto, “We all play the Cody Smuk way.”

    No words can describe how welcome this announcement will be to the alums of the Huskies men’s and women’s hockey teams. It is a development that only seemed right to happen with the new rink facility.

Rookie Arnold delivers Stars to road victory over Bears

The Stars improved to 9-0 with a win in Prince Albert.

    Calli Arnold, who is a 14-year-old rookie from Dodsland, Sask., skated into the spotlight on Thursday night to keep the Saskatoon Stars undefeated.

    Arnold had her first career assist and her first career goal turned out to be the game winner to help the Stars down the defending Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League champion Northern Bears in Prince Albert 3-2 at the Art Hauser Centre.

    Camryn Amundson scored unassisted to give the Bears a 1-0 lead at the 6:45 mark of the first period. Joelle Fiala scored right at the 10-minute mark of the opening frame for the Stars to force a 1-1 tie.

    With under a minute to play in the first, Arnold teamed up with Jordyn Gerlitz to set up Stars captain Mackenna Parker for her 19^th goal of the season.

    Arnold scored with 5:37 to play in the third to give the Stars a 3-1 lead. Jasper Desmarais replied for the Bears with 4:14 to play in the third to pull the host side within one goal of the lead.

    The Stars held on from that point for the win to improve to 9-0.

    Arden Kliewer made 30 saves to pick up the win in goal for the Stars. Ryan Fontaine turned away 21 shots to take the setback in goal for the Bears (6-3). All of Prince Albert’s losses have come against Saskatoon.

    The Bears return to action on Saturday, when they travel to Swift Current to take on the Diamond Energy Wildcats. The Stars return to action Nov. 18, when travel to Regina to take on the Rebels.

   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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