Hockey is keeping life for Portage Collegiate student Abby Reichert quite eventful this year. The Grade 11 student is a goaltender for both the Portage Collegiate Saints and the Central Plains Capitals. The goaltender says it's been hectic but fun thus far.

"It's really busy. I enjoy splitting my time. I'm glad I've made it work to play for both teams this year," Reichert explains. "I'm keeping on top of school work but it's really busy."

Reichert was recognized by the Manitoba Women's High School Hockey League as the Player of the Week for her division. This was for her performance in last week's games, which saw the goalie stop 91 shots in a two-game span.

"I was surprised at first. The Saints had a great week of games. We worked hard and had a lot of great plays. I thought somebody on the team should deserve Player of the Week, I just didn't think it would be me."

Reichert says she found out about the award in a group text with the team. She adds a bunch of her teammates reached out to congratulate her, which she says felt great. 

Over the course of the entire season with PCI, Reichert has played in five games and has saved 201 of the 209 shots she's faced. Reichert also leads the league in save percentage with 0.962 and has a very impressive goals-against-average at 1.70.

"I enjoy playing with the Saints. We do get a lot of shots with the Saints but I'd rather have a 60-shot game than a 20-shot one," Reichert continues. "But both sides have a lot of room for improvement."

The PCI student is the backup goaltender for the Caps and has a save percentage of 0.889 with Central Plains. Reichert got a lot of play time in the Capitals' recent tournament in Regina, which they went on to win. In three games of play, the netminder allowed just four goals and stopped 105 combined shots in the tournament.

Reichert is very grateful for the opportunities she's been given this season.

"I'm just really thankful that I can play on both teams and that Jo (Jo-Anne Clark-Gillespie) would have me back since I am splitting my time. It's really nice."

Reichert and the PCI Saints will take the ice today at 4:15 as they welcome the Dakota Lancers to town.