NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
South Alberta Hockey Academy forward Gavin McKenna scans the ice during a powerplay in the third period of SAHA's 5-1 win Friday afternoon against the RINK Kelowna Hockey Academy at Big Marble Go Centre.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The South Alberta Hockey Academy U18 men’s team are riding high to start their season.
They beat the RINK Kelowna Hockey Academy 5-1 Friday afternoon in their first of three games in their 20-team, 30-game showcase weekend at the Big Marble Go Centre.
Head coach Brayden Desjardins said SAHA set the tone in the first 10 minutes, setting them up for success the rest of the game.
“Obviously you want to start quick like that, it’s not easy to maintain but I thought the boys were super prepared,” Desjardins said. “They did a great job making sure they’re the more prepared team and I thought it showed in the first 10 minutes. It’s great for us to get a win like that and against such a great team and storied academy. It’s really good to build onto for the rest of the weekend.”
SAHA scored three times in the first period with goals coming from Nick McLennan, Kulien Laqua and Kolby Gapter, as they led RINK 3-0 through two periods. RINK held SAHA at bay in the second and scored in the third, but it was the local academy adding two more goals in the third from Kade Duell and Brett Calhoon, ending up on top 5-1.
“Good teams are always going to push on you at some point – they’re just too good not to – to really test you, and that’s what we want for our guys, to go through that adversity,” Desjardins said. “But I thought we did a good job sticking with it. Zack (Zahara) was phenomenal today, so that’s why you have a goalie like that.”
Zahara made 37 saves in the win for SAHA as they have picked up a point in all three of their games to start the season with a 2-0-1 record. Zahara said it’s always nice to win and kick off the showcase.
“This is a pretty big win for our team, I think they’re a pretty good team,” Zahara said. “A big confidence boost to the guys and it’s a great way to start the weekend.”
Friday’s contest had special meaning to SAHA forward Gavin McKenna, as he played for RINK Kelowna last season in CSSHL before being drafted first overall in May’s WHL draft by the Medicine Hat Tigers. He said it was good to see some of his friends again while also picking up the win.
“Definitely a little bit of sorriness because they’re my old team obviously but it feels good anyway because a win’s a win,” McKenna said. “Doesn’t matter who it’s against, they’re my friends off the ice and obviously not on the ice.”
The 14-year-old Whitehorse, Yuk. product has had a strong start to this second CSSHL season, putting up 11 points through three games with SAHA. He said he’s enjoying playing with the team and says there’s a strong compete level in the league.
“It’s a great group of guys, they’re really tight, it’s a great team,” McKenna said. “We definitely have some things to work on but obviously it’s just the start of the year and we have lots of time. I’m looking forward to what’s coming.”
Desjardins said he enjoys seeing what McKenna can do on the ice but said he appreciates how the young star acts when he’s away from the rink.
“He’s pretty spectacular, anytime you get a chance to watch what he does with the puck, it’s crazy, but we’re really lucky to have him,” Desjardins said. “The way he carries himself, everyone talks about how good he is on the ice, but how good he is as a person – sometimes I forget he’s the youngest kid on my team. The way he leads and the way he approaches the game is something that you want from all your guys.
“So for him to be just as good off the ice as he is on the ice, I can’t say enough good things about him.”
McKenna and SAHA have two more contests ahead in the showcase as they face the Yale Hockey Academy Saturday afternoon at 4:45 p.m. and host the Delta Hockey Academy on Sunday morning for an 11 a.m. showdown, both games at the Big Marble Go Centre.
Desjardins said they just need to find a way to carry consistency through their games, especially against other strong teams.
“At midget we want kids to develop consistency early. It’s easy to be good one night but for us, we want to be good two out of three, three out of three, that’s the goal, that’s what develops Western League and junior hockey players.” Desjardins said. “The focus is enjoy this one for a couple hours, then get home, recover and make sure we’re ready to go against Yale. Because they are a really good team. We’re excited for the task that we get.”
SAHA Women open weekend with win
The SAHA U18 women’s team opened their weekend on the road with a 6-3 win over St. Mary’s Hockey Academy. Tea Pearce led the way offensively with three goals and three assists. Brooklynne Painter and Norah Andronyk each had a goal and an assist, and Brianna Finke rounded out the scoring with one marker of her own. Devyn Amundson picked up the win between the pipes, turning aside 24 shots.
The win gives them four straight to start the season. They are back in action Saturday against RHA Winnipeg before facing off against Pilot Mound Hockey Academy on Sunday.
