NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
South Alberta Hockey Academy forward Ryan Miller stick handles the puck on a breakaway in the third period of SAHA's 5-2 win over Delta Hockey Academy on Sunday at Big Marble Go Centre.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The South Alberta Hockey Academy men’s and women’s teams each had perfect weekends of hockey.
The SAHA men’s team swept a three-game set of contests in their 20-team, 30-game showcase hosted in Medicine Hat this weekend. After beating RHA Kelowna 5-1 on Friday, SAHA rattled off a 4-2 win over Yale Hockey Academy on Saturday and a 5-2 win against the Delta Hockey Academy on Sunday to wrap up the weekend.
SAHA head coach Brayden Desjardins says he could not have been happier with his team’s weekend and their ability to “defend” home rink.
“There hasn’t been a whole lot of hockey being played, so three-in-three is tough on our guys. But I thought we we’re prepared, we we’re focused, we worked really hard away from the puck and, obviously, we got the results,” Desjardins said. “One of the things we talked about with our group is being great at home, and we lost one last weekend. So to go 3-0 against three really good teams, that Delta team is very, very skilled, to be able to grind out three (wins) is unbelievable for us.”
In Saturday’s win against Yale, the local academy was led offensively by Gavin McKenna who scored two goals, including the game winner, and had an assist. Ryan Miller had a goal and an assist and Kadon McCann rounded out the scoring with a goal of his own. Zach Zahara started the game and made 23 saves in the win.
McKenna’s three points against Yale has him in fifth place for U18 league scoring with six goals and 15 points. The 14-year-old led the league in scoring last season while playing for RINK Kelowna.
Against Delta on Sunday, it was Miller who led the way with two goals of his own. Brett Calhoon added a goal and an assist, Nick McLennan and Noah Dziver added a goal each for the win. Zahara, starting his fifth game in a row for SAHA, made 24 saves.
Miller, a Medicine Hat product, says he’s happy to get the individual points but is happier to see his team get the wins they did.
“The two points at the end of the day for a win just feels great with the team we have right now,” Miller said. “It’s one of the most fun teams I have ever played on, we’re just buzzing and the atmosphere is awesome.”
The 15-year-old forward was selected 66th overall by the Portland Winterhawks in the 2022 WHL draft. He played for Northern Alberta Xtreme last season and is happy to be back playing in the Hat for his hometown team.
“I love it, I have a lot of family and friends watching,” Miller said.
The SAHA men’s team hit the road this weekend for their first road trip of the season, facing Edge on Friday and the International Hockey Academy on Saturday. Desjardins says they have some structure and consistency to work on but says there is a lot of excitement for the first road trip.
“A lot of guys look forward to the road trips with the guys like this, this group is a super tight-knit group and it’s one that I think can be pretty special this year. So it’ll be nice to get on the road,” Desjardins said.
The SAHA women’s team spent the entire weekend on the road and pushed their undefeated streak to seven games.
After beating St. Mary’s Academy 6-3 on Friday, SAHA beat RHA Winnipeg 4-1 on Saturday and shutout Pilot Mound Academy 1-0 on Sunday.
Brianna Finke led SAHA offensively against RHA Winnipeg with two goals, Tea Pearce added a goal and assist of her own. Norah Andronyk had a goal in the win and Maddy Ferguson made 32 saves.
Pearce sits second in league scoring with seven goals and 14 points through SAHA’s seven games.
Devyn Amundson was between the pipes for SAHA on Sunday and had 15 saves for the shutout. Kendal Davidson had the lone goal of the game.
The SAHA women’s team have no CSSHL games this week before they get their first slate of home games on Oct. 30, 31.
