SAHA opens Circle K Classic with 4-2 win

By James Tubb on December 27, 2022.

The South Alberta Hockey Academy men’s hockey team got their Circle K Classic started on a high note Tuesday night.

SAHA beat the Saskatoon Blazers 4-2 to start their tournament 1-0. The Dunmore based Hockey Academy entered the U18 Invitational as defending champions after winning the Mac’s championship in April, which has since been rebranded to the Circle K Classic.

SAHA got on the board first when captain Ellias Eisenbarth scored 6:01 into the first period. Defenceman Kolby Gapter had the lone assist on the opening goal of the game.

After SAHA outshot Saskatoon 14-11 through the first period, it was the Blazers  who answered back in the second frame.

Preston Baerwald scored 14 seconds into the period for the 1-1 tie. Just 8:31 later, Eisenbarth found the back of the net again to regain SAHA’s lead. Medicine Hat product Josiah Jackson and forward Brayden Sumner had the assists on Eisenbarth’s goal. The Blazers again drew themselves back into a tie game when Tyson Yaremko scored with 3:32 left in the second period.

SAHA jumped ahead 1:06 later as Eisenbarth completed his hat trick to give them their eventual winning 3-2 lead. Gavin McKenna and Matthew Paranych had the helpers on Eisenbarth’s third of the contest.

With 2:56 left in the game McKenna scored for extra measure, putting SAHA ahead 4-2 late. Kade Duell and Brett Calhoon had the assists on the final goal of the game.

Zach Zahara made 28 saves between the pipes for SAHA, across the ice from him, Grayson Malinoski turned aside 25 shots.

SAHA sits in first place of their pool after the win with three points from their win in regulation. Their next action is Wednesday when they face the Calgary Northstars who sit in second place with two points after a 3-2 shootout win. That contest gets underway at 12:45 p.m.

10
-9