The Battlefords AAA Sharks were in Swift Current for two games in Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League action and, despite being outshot, they kept the final scores close.
Saturday, the Sharks struck first and were tied heading into the third, but Swift Current pulled out a 5-3 win.
Courtney Laycock netted her first of the season at 10:45 of the first, as Raeanna Kelly and Amanda Grainger had the assists on the Shark's first goal.
Three minutes later, the Sharks had the lead evaporate, as Desirae Kuhlmann beat Jacy Akre.
The Sharks were outshot 19-6 in the first 20 minutes, but were tied 1-1.
In the second, the Sharks reclaimed their lead when Monique Wickstrom scored her second of the season from Tori Bonnett.
On the ensuing faceoff, the Wildcats evened the score when Jill Kennedy scored seven seconds later to tie the game at 2-2.
Carley Bertram put the Wildcats in front for the first time with less than five minutes left in period two.
Wickstrom answered for the Sharks on the powerplay later in the second, as Janaya Bourelle and Delaney Ross had the helpers.
In the third, the Sharks managed just two shots and Kali Jamieson and Megan Jones scored for the Wildcats giving the home team the 5-3 win.
The Sharks were 1/4 on the powerplay while Swift Current was 1/5. Akre faced 53 shots in the loss while Amy Murray made 10 saves for the win.
Sunday, the Sharks mustered more shots, but scored less and fell 5-1.
Taryn Stork scored in the first period for Swift Current. In the second, Carley Bertram scored shorthanded, Karrah Newkirk scored an even strength goal and Kuhlmann scored on a powerplay. In the third, Delaine Fell scored for Swift Current, while Wickstrom continued a hot weekend with her fourth of the season. Bonnett and Kelly had the assists.
The Sharks were 0/4 on the powerplay while the Wildcats were 1/5.
Hanna Brock stopped 19 of 22 shots while Akre stopped 23 of 25.
Caitlyn Janzen stopped 19 shots in the Wildcats' win.
The Sharks' next game will be at home, Jan. 27 against Prince Albert. The P.A. Bears are 7-12-1-1 and in seventh place this season. The Sharks are winless and in eighth spot.
In that game next week, Sharks' captain Grainger will play her 104th SFMAAAHL game. Jan. 8 in Regina Grainger became one of 15 players to play 100 games in the league. Grainger played all four seasons with the Sharks and has recorded seven goals and 10 assists.
The next longest serving Shark is Bourelle, who has suited up for 77 games in three seasons, all with the Sharks.
Amber Blaquiere and Jenna Smith are the only two other Sharks to play over 100 games in the SFMAAAHL. Blaquiere played from 2006 to '10 and recorded 107 games played. Smith played with both the Sharks and the Wildcats and played 108 games from 2006 to '10.
