Latest News

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Winnipeg teams win in opening games at MTS Iceplex

By: Ashley Prest

Posted: 02/21/2013 4:53 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 02/21/2013 5:07 PM | Updates

Defenceman Hali Krzyzaniak of Neepawa, a member of Canada's national women's under 18 team and player with the pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy, which is participating in the Female Sport School Challenge. (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

The two local teams and a local player have turned up the heat on the ice after the first games at the Female Sport School Challenge hockey tournament at the MTS Iceplex.

The host St. Mary's Flames and the Shaftesbury Titans, the two Winnipeg teams participating in the eight-team tournament which is sanctioned by Hockey Canada, both recorded wins in their opening games on Thursday.

Riann Richot scored two goals and was St. Mary's player of the game in a 5-0 win over Muskie Girls Hockey from Fort Frances, Ont. to open the tournament in the first game of the day. St. Mary's Danielle Krzyszczyk and Tess Bracken each notched power-play goals while Anna Kulas recorded the shut out. The Flames outshot Fort Frances 34-8.

Shaftesbury was led by a pair of goals from player-of-the-game Stephanie Grossi in a 6-2 victory over the Banff Hockey Academy. Shaftesbury's Justine Fredette had a goal and three assists while Kelsey Saelens added a pair of assists.

Led by Neepawa native and captain Halli Krzyzaniak, the Pursuit of Excellence team from Kelowna blasted New Brunswick's Rothesay Netherwood 6-0 and outshot Rothesay 61-9. The score would have been much higher if not for the play of Rothesay goalie and player-of-the-game Marlene Boissonnault.

Pursuit's player of the game was left-wing Sarah Potomak, a speedy forward who handled the puck like she had it on a string. Potomak had three goals and an assist for the Pursuit team, which opened the second period by scoring a pair of goals 51 seconds apart in the first two minutes to lift the team to a 5-0 lead and essentially put the game away.

Krzyzaniak, who has attended the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy for five years, said she was thrilled to be part of the inaugural Sport School Challenge in her home province.

"I think the last time I played in a hockey tournament in Manitoba, I was maybe 13 years old and playing for the Neepawa Hawks (boys team)," Krzyzaniak said after her team's game. "It's great for our team, we're a younger team so it's great for us to get this kind of experience. For me, it's a lot of fun to be playing here at home."

The opening ceremonies will be at 7 p.m., featuring Winnipeg native and three-time Olympic gold medallist Jennifer Botterill.

There will be two games tonight with St. Mary's meeting the Okanagan Hockey Academy at 7 p.m. in the Winnipeg Free Press rink and the Pursuit of Excellence taking on Banff at 7:15 p.m. in the Remax Rink.

The tournament is offering free admission to all hockey players aged 12 and under wearing their team jerseys and accompanied by an adult.

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca

History

Updated on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 5:07 PM CST: Corrects typo.

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Latest News

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

Have Your Say

Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?

Have Your Say

Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.