The Sanford Sabres continued their strong start to the Manitoba Women’s High School Hockey League season last week, earning wins over the Shaftesbury Titans and Warren Wildcats to improve to 5-1 in Division 1/2-West play.
Sanford opened the week with a 6-4 victory at home over Shaftesbury on Nov. 3, powered by a pair of goals each from Halle Penner and Mikalah Grant. Penner struck twice in the first period, including a power-play marker, to put the Sabres in control early. The Titans pushed back with three goals in the second, but Sanford answered each time to maintain the lead.
Grant’s second goal of the game, coming midway through the third period, provided needed insurance as Sanford outshot Shaftesbury 26–14. Taylr Chornomydz was a key playmaker throughout, finishing with four assists, while Keira Krawetz and Mackenzie Jeffery added singles. Goaltender Sophia Grant earned the win, making 10 saves.
Two days later, Sanford leaned on a tight defensive effort to grab a 2-1 overtime win on the road against the Warren Wildcats. Penner scored the lone Sanford goal in regulation, finishing a setup from Grant and Chornomydz late in the second period. Warren tied the game midway through the third, but neither side could break the deadlock through the remaining frame and overtime. In the shootout, captain Mikalah Grant opened the scoring for the Sabres before Hayden Manness followed with the decisive marker to secure the win. Goaltender Brooke Larson was sharp throughout, stopping 15 of 16 shots in regulation and overtime before turning aside both Warren shootout attempts.
Through six games, Sanford sits second in the Division 1/2-West standings with a 5-1 record and 10 points—trailing only the undefeated VMC Trojans (5-0-0, 15 points). Oak Park (5-2-0), SMA Flames (4-2-0) and Churchill Bulldogs (3-1-1) round out a tightly packed top half of the division.
Offensively, Sanford continues to be driven by the trio of Grant (5G, 6A), Penner (5G, 4A) and Chornomydz (1G, 8A). Chornomydz was recently named Division 1/2-West Player of the Week for her strong two-way play and ability to generate scoring from the blue line.
The Sabres return to action Friday, Nov. 14, visiting the Westwood Warriors at Allard Arena, before travelling to face the Churchill Bulldogs on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at Southdale.
