Purcell Hockey Academy (PHA) kicked off their inaugural season in the Female Super League (FSL) by going undefeated at a 16U showcase event in Calgary that took place from October 4 – 6 at the 7 Chiefs Sportsplex & Jim Starlight Centre.

On Friday, October 3, PHA won a barnburner against the Edmonton Jr. Ooks 16U with the game going to a shootout.  The final score was 2-1 with Malgorzata Zakrzewska scoring for PHA in regulation and Yaann Yuen getting credit for the winner in the shootout.  Grace Kells was stellar in net, making 32 saves including two huge stops in the shootout.

On Saturday, October 4, PHA played twice, opening the day against Angels Pro Hockey 16U, another Edmonton-based team.  PHA won 8-2 with Malgorzata Zakrzewska (2 goals and 1 assist) and Carlota Castellanos (2 goals and 1 assist) leading the way.  Other PHA goals were scored by Elsa Rodriguez Camacho, Evelyn Vitkovskiy, Yaann Yuen, and Freya Ekberg.  Greta Konradova also had a great game on the point, chipping in with 3 assists.

PHA’s second game of the day was versus Aurora Hockey Club 16U, also based out of Edmonton.  PHA’s offense was on fire for the second game in a row leading to an 8-1 victory.  Anastasiia Nesterenko had a great game tallying 2 goals and 2 assists.

Other goals scorers included Malgorzata Zakrzewska with a pair, and Yaann Yuen, Greta Konradova, Ceili Arlo Hughes, and Elsa Rodriguez Camacho with singles.  Amy Leimgruber (4 assists) and Zia Mayard (2 assists) had strong games on defense.

Sunday was a rematch of Friday’s tightly-contested shootout affair with the Edmonton Jr. Ooks 16U.  This time, PHA took the game by a more comfortable margin, winning 5-2.  Once again, Malgorzata Zakrzewska and Carlota Castellanos led the way with 2 goals apiece with Freya Ekberg adding a single.

Grace Kells had another strong game in net stopping 24 of the 26 shots she faced.

Head Coach Jalyn Elmes was happy with the results.  In a post-game interview, she referenced how proud she was of the team and how quickly they had come together while highlighting PHA’s team defense.

PHA’s General Manager Al Wozney echoed those comments and summed up the weekend as follows:  “I was very impressed with the team dynamics on and off the ice.  The way these players were able to work and play as a unit displayed not only good hockey sense but also passion for the game.  Shaping this team with girls moving to Canada from eleven different countries has created a dynamic that is both inspirational and exciting. I look forward to watching them continue to grow.”

PHA’s 16U squad will next see action in the FSL when the team plays host to a showcase at the Civic Centre from October 24 – 26 with the Calgary Glaciers and Bow Valley Nationals set to visit Kimberley.

Prior to that, both of PHA’s teams (16U/19U) will travel to Burlington, VT for the prestigious Fall Foliage Classic tournament.

For more information on Purcell Hockey Academy, follow the teams on Instagram and Facebook at @purcellhockey or email [email protected].

Photos submitted

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