An early power-play saw no pay off for the Spartans before they ran into penalty trouble midway through the opening frame. The Spartans would weather that storm, though, and emerge with the lead in the period as Brooklyn Anderson found the back at 17:01 to send the Spartans into the break with the one-goal lead despite trailing 6-5 in shots.
The second period certainly didn't start off well as Fawcett was beat twice in the first five minutes. That 2-1 deficit would become a 3-1 hole as the Spartans surrendered a late power-play goal in the period. A late empty net goal would ice the game as the Spartans fell in the opening game of the two-game series by a 4-1 score. Kate Fawcett stopped 32 shots in the setback.
The Fluffy Cows have apparently decided that having highlight packages is something they're not interested in doing. If there's one thing that their athletics department is committed to, it's telling the stories of their incredible athletes. Well done, Fluffy Cows.
SATURDAY: Saturday was a chance for the Spartan to even things up with a team with whom they're currently competing for a top-six spot in the conference. If Trinity Western was going to have a chance, they had to stay out of the penalty box as well. Mabel Maltais was between the pipes to see if she could help the Spartans to their first-ever win over the Fluffy Cows.
Things got started well for the Spartans when Olivia Leier dented twine with a deflection off a Brooklyn Anderson shot just 3:25 into the game. A power-play for the Spartans was nullified thanks to a penalty of their own, but they'd capitalize while down a player when a turnover saw Brooklyn Anderson go forehand-backhand to score a shorthanded marker and send the Spartans to the room up 2-0 despite trailing 8-6 in shots!
The Spartans gave up a goal with just over five minutes left in the second frame, but the Spartans would get that one back when Kate Klassen notched her first Canada West goal while on the power-play during a scramble to make it 3-1 with 1:03 left in the frame. Thanks to a handful of power-play opportunities, the Spartans also held a 16-15 edge in shots.
The first ten minutes of the third period saw the Spartans surrender the lead as they gave up two goals, but the Spartans restored the two-goal lead in short order when Amy Potomak scored at 10:03 followed by Kara Yackel's first Canada West goal 1:07 later to make it a 5-3 game. Despite giving up one more goal, the Spartans weathered the storm for the final seven minutes to help Trinity Western secure a 5-4 victory! Mabel Maltais stopped 22 shots for her second win of the season!
Don't expect highlights because the Fluffy Cows didn't even bother to air the game on Canada West TV. I'm so glad they put in a solid effort in showcasing their athletes every chance they get.
The game started off with a blistering pace as both goalies were peppered with shots in the opening frame. Regina would miss out on scoring during a power-play opportunity, but a rush just past the midway mark saw Paige Hubbard's initial shot up high stopped, but Durante couldn't handle the hot shot as the puck landed in front of her. The resulting scramble saw Jenna Merk pot the loose puck at 12:21 for the 1-0 Regina lead! The goalies would continue to stop pucks until horn as the Cougars took the 1-0 lead into the room while holding a 15-13 edge in shots!
Thanks to a couple of power-plays in the second period, the Cougars continued their assault on the Calgary net. They'd be rewarded seven minutes in when Makena Kushniruk's shot rang off the left post and came out the right side where Trinity Grove found the loose puck before Durante did as Grove netted her first of the season at 7:24 to make it a 2-0 game for the Cougars! Despite not being able to cash in on those two advantages in the period, the Cougars carried the two-goal lead into the second break while holding a 32-22 lead in shots.
The teams traded power-plays early in the third period, but neither would capitalize. Calgary pushed late into the game as Regina settled into defending the lead, and the Cougars would prove successful in that effort as they would shut down the Dinos by a 2-0 score on Friday! Arden Kliewer recorded her first shutout and her second win with a 33-save effort while Gabriella Durante stopped 36 shots in the loss.
February 8, 2020 - mark that date down because that's the last time the Regina Cougars put together a highlight reel for any sport. I don't understand why this is so hard for the Cougars if they're already clipping the highlights for social media posts. How have you not posted any highlights in...
SATURDAY: The Cougars and Dinos entered Saturday's game tied in points despite Calgary having played two more games than Regina. While everyone will play 28 games, getting ahead and staying ahead of your competition is important. Both teams had a chance to do that today as Gabriella Durante was in net for the eighth-straight game while Arden Kliewer was looking for the sweep personally in her second start against the Dinos this weekend.
The two teams were all about turning the rink into a shooting range on Saturday once again as pucks were fired at both goalies in large quantities. The goalies were equal to the task until late in the period when Jadyn Kushniruk picked Brooke Dennett's pocket in front of her bench, swooped into the Calgary zone on the right side before cutting to the middle against Erin Armstrong, and used her speed to get a backhander away that got under Durante and into the net at 18:20 for the 1-0 Regina lead on a fantastic individual effort! Despite having four power-plays in the opening frame, Calgary could get nothing back as the Cougars took the 1-0 lead to the room with the Dinos holding a 15-11 edge in shots.
Whatever was said in the Calgary room during the break caused a massive shift in momemtum in the second period as Alli Borrow scored on the power-play at 1:52 to tie the game before the Dinos rattled off three goals in 4:58 late in the period. Keagan Goulet scored her first Canada West goal at 13:54, Brooke Dennett made it 3-0 at 15:20, and Elizabeth Lang capped off the scoring in the second period with her goal at 18:52 to put Calgary up 4-1 heading to the third period with a 30-20 edge in shots.
Regina would get one back in the third period as Paige Hubbard's shot was directed at the far post where Durante flashed the left pad, but her stop landed on the stick of Kaitlyn Gilroy who fired the rebound into the yawning cage at the 5:00 mark to make it a 4-2 game. However, the Dinos went to work defensively over the final fifteen minutes to secure the 4-2 victory and earn the split! Gabriella Durante stopped 34 shots for her third win of the season while Arden Kliewer was on the wrong side of a 39-save night.
I think you already know what's coming in terms of highlights.
A couple of early power-plays for the Pandas got things rolling for the home side as they used the chances to pepper the Saskatchewan net, but they would come away with nothing. Saskatchewan earned an advantage as well, but it also was unsuccessful. It wasn't until Abby Soyko found herself on a partial breakaway after getting behind the Huskies' defenders that we'd see a goal as Soyko went stick-side on Drever inside the post for the opening tally 13:31 to help the Pandas grab the 1-0 lead! That score would hold through to the break as the Pandas amassed a 10-2 advantage in shots in the opening frame.
Early in the second period, the Pandas would double their lead as Bree Kennedy's initial shot was stopped, Reagan Yewdall got a whack at the rebound, and Allison Reich would finally poke the puck across the goal line at 4:46 to put the Pandas up 2-0! The teams would exchange power-play opportunities in the second half of the period, but that two-goal lead would hold through 40 minutes with the Pandas holding a 21-8 advantage in shots.
The third period saw the Huskies up their tempo as they pressed for goals. An early power-play was no help as they couldn't crack the Pandas' penalty-killing units. It wasn't until there was less than five minutes to play that we'd see the Huskies crack the goose egg as Mallory Dyer fed Brooklyn Stevely in the slot sneaking in from the point. Stevely's shot, though, would miss the net and hit Dyer who, upon recovering, whacked the loose puck into the net to make it 2-1 at 15:38. The final 4:22 would yield no other scoring, though, as the Pandas weathered the late storm to earn the 2-1 win over the Huskies! Halle Oswald earned her fourth win on a 14-save night while Camryn Drever took the loss in a game where she made 22 stops.
Like their team, the Pandas are consistent with the highlights!
SATURDAY: With the two teams tied in the standings, both sides were looking to jump ahead of the other. Saskatchewan was trying to end a two-game slide on Saturday while Alberta was looking to turn one win into the start of a longer streak. The two netminders on Friday were back for more on Saturday as Camryn Drever got the start for the Huskies while Halle Oswald was in the blue paint for her eighth-straight game.
The opening period saw three power-plays awarded to Saskatchewan while Alberta received one, but all four went unsuccessful as the goalies were on their games. Saskatchewan used the extra time with the attacker to press the Pandas, but the Alberta defence resisted the pressure. The 0-0 tie held firm through 20 minutes as Saskatchewan held a 9-3 shot lead.
It would be a power-play, however, where Alberta opened the scoring early in the second period. Abby Soyko sent the pukc down low to Cassidy Maplethorpe who spotted Taylor Anker over at the backdoor for the redirection into the cage, and Alberta had a 1-0 lead with the power-play just 39 seconds into the frame! That goal seemed to spark the Pandas' offence as they came alive and put solid pressure on the Huskies for the majority period. However, just after an Alberta penalty expired, the Pandas doubled their lead when, after a mad scramble, Natalie Kieser was able to tap a Jadynn Morden shot across the line after the puck had squeezed through Drever, and it was 2-0 for Alberta at 14:51! That two-goal lead would carry into the intermission with Alberta holding a 17-15 edge in shots!
The third period appeared to start with an Alberta goal, but the officials waved off the apparent marker. That wouldn't deter the Pandas, though, as they continued to pressure the Huskies. Both teams would run into some penalty trouble, but a double-minor to the Huskies would result in a third Pandas goal as Jaydnn Morden circled out from the corner to the high slot that found its way through traffic and into the Saskatchewan net for the power-play to make the game 3-0 in favour of the Pandas. Despite a couple of late power-plays for the Huskies, the Pandas would claim victory with the 3-0 win over the Huskies! Halle Oswald picked up her second shutout and fifth win of the season withn a 23-save evening while Camryn Drever stopped 20 shots in the loss.
All the goals are on Alberta's highlight reel!
MacEwan used their bye week well as they came out with some jump in this game, but they couldn't find a opening past Ross. That goaltending helped the Cougars grab a 1-0 lead midway through the frame when Aliya Johma split the defence and went five-hole on Sank for the 1-0 lead at 8:12! A couple of late power-plays did nothing to help Mount Royal build on that lead, but the damage had been done as the Cougars took the 1-0 lead and an 18-14 edge in shots!
MacEwan continued with their strong play in the second period as they pushed for an equalizer, and they'd find one when Rylee Gluska's shot at 3:44 found room under the bar over Ross's shoulder to make it a 1-1 game! That goal seemed to wake the Cougars up as they began to control the pace past the midway point, and they would use that pace to strike twice in the late stages of the period. First, Courtney Kollman pounced on a loose puck following an offensive zone face-off and snapped a shot past Sank at 16:03 to put the Cougars up 2-1. They followed that goal with another 3:51 later when Allee Gerrard recorded her first Canada West goal as her shot through traffic beat Sank with six seconds left in the period! After 40 minutes, it was 3-1 for the Cougars who also held a 28-22 lead in shots!
A couple of power-play for thr Griffins would bring them no closer in the third period as the Cougars played extremely well defensively while picking their spots for offence. Neither side would light the lamp in the final frame, though, as the Mount Royal Cougars downed the MacEwan Griffins by that 3-1 score! Kaitlyn Ross picked up her fifth win of the season with a 26-save night while Brianna Sank made 26 saves in the loss.
MacEwan has spent the better part of a decade not even trying to give its student-athletes clips of their awesomeness. I don't understand how anyone can be content with this, but the Griffins should be posting highlights of their athletes. It's free marketing!
We'd see our first goal just past the midway mark of the period when a giveaway in front of the Griffins' net resulted in an Athena Hauck goal at 10:50. MacEwan didn't mope about that gift, though, as Robyn Short's point shot was redirected by Rylee Gluska past Anderson 1:25 later to make it a 1-1 game. Mount Royal would regain the lead late in the period when Brianna Sank couldn't smother a point shot that Laura Cook found and buried at 17:11, and the Cougars took the 2-1 lead into the break while leading 11-9 in shots.
The second period was a little quieter in terms of goal-scoring as Mount Royal and MacEwan combined for just six shots as per the official scoresheet. Five of those shots came compliments of the Cougars as they had a pair of power-plays, but none of those five shots found twine. The lone MacEwan shot would find twine, though, as Sydney Hughson found space past Anderson at 7:46 to make it a 2-2 game! That score would hold into the intermission thanks to the lack of shots on net as Mount Royal carried a 16-10 edge in shots into the final frame.
I'm not sure what prompted the five-minute major and game misconduct that Allee Gerrard received for running over Brianna Sank, but the Mount Royal forward was sent off from this game at 9:05 of the third period and that means she's also going to miss next week. We'll worry about that later, but the ensuing power-play saw Amanda Murray get a stick on a loose puck off an Aryn Chambers shot, and Murray poked the rebound home past Anderson to put the Griffins up 3-2 in this contest! Four minutes later, the Griffins added some insurance when Hailey Maurice beat Anderson as well, and that would be enough for the Griffins to claim the 4-2 victory over the Cougars on Saturday! Brianna Sank stopped 19 shots for her second victory of the season while Scout Anderson was on the losing end of her first-ever start despite stopping 12 shots.
We know that Mount Royal doesn't do highlights, so let's get another fun hockey commercial in their space. Please don't be this guy.
| School | Record | Points | GF | GA | Streak | Next |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Royal | 6-1-0-1 | 13 | 27 | 16 | L1 | vs MAN |
| Alberta | 4-3-1-0 | 10 | 16 | 15 | W2 | vs REG |
| UBC | 3-1-1-1 | 9 | 21 | 12 | W1 | @ MAC |
| Trinity Western | 4-4-0-0 | 8 | 20 | 22 | W1 | BYE |
| Saskatchewan | 1-3-2-2 | 8 | 11 | 13 | L3 | BYE |
| Calgary | 2-4-1-1 | 7 | 13 | 19 | W1 | BYE |
| Manitoba | 3-3-0-0 | 6 | 16 | 21 | L1 | @ MRU |
| Regina | 2-3-0-1 | 5 | 12 | 13 | L1 | @ ALB |
| MacEwan | 1-4-1-0 | 4 | 10 | 15 | W1 | vs UBC |
Interesting Schedule
I'm not sure who is making the schedule for the teams, but giving three teams a bye on the same week seems rather illogical. I know it all works out when the schedule ends, but teams often want to play more games rather than less. With Saskatchewan meeting the Fluffy Cows only once this season, could we not have figured out a way to go to a 32-game schedule with all these teams being on break? That's four games against every team.I don't want to say someone screwed up, but there's no way any week should have three teams sitting unless the entire conference is on break. That should never happen.
Quiet Superstar?
If you scan the leading scorers four weeks this season, you may be surprised to see just two teams represented in the top-five scorers. Mount Royal, who leads the Canada West conference, has three players in the top-five scorers with Tatum Amy, Aliya Jomha, and Emma Bergesen pacing them, but it may shock you to see both Brooklyn Anderson and Amy Potomak of the Trinity Western Spartans in the top-five as well.Potomak shouldn't surprise anyone with her NCAA experience, but Anderson might be a name you want to keep an eye on if you're a fan of or defender in Canada West hockey. I went through the stats last year and she was Trinity Western's top primary-point scorer, teammate Neisha Germann identified her as a player to keep an eye on in an interview last season, and all nine of her points this season have been primary points which have been scored in the last four games!
Since she plays in all situations, it's pretty clear that Anderson is a key player for the Spartans, and it would be wise for Canada West to take notice of #7 when she's on the ice. She's carving out a superstar's career in her time playing in the Canada West conference!
First Pro Point
I mentioned former Huskies captain Bailee Bourassa joining MoDo in the SDHL last week on The Rundown, and she made her debut against Gothenburg on Saturday wearing #14 for the Swedish professional women's club! She didn't record a point in her official debut, but she centered the fourth line between Julia Perjus and Mira Hallin in her first SDHL game on Saturday as MoDo downed Gothenburg by a 3-0 score!She was back between Perjus and Hallin on Sunday for a rematch with Gothenburg, and Bourassa picked up her first professional point on a secondary assist recorded on Brooke Hobson's goal with 1:22 to play in a 6-1 victory! Big shout-out to Dave Westbury for the clip!
How awesome is that? It took Bourassa two games to settle into the MoDo scheme as she helps her new club pick up a pair of wins at the professional level! I'm willing to bet the above assist will be the first of many points, but it's good to see Bourassa on the scoresheet after joining her new team!
Congratulation, Bailee, on your first point! Save that puck!
The Last Word
It's fun to track weird stats, but what should be noticed is that there were nine shorthanded goals scored collectively by all the teams last season in the 180 games they played. As of this writing, there have already been seven shorties scored in the four weeks of games over 64 games. The sharp increase in shorthanded goals is a bit of a surprise this early in the season, but it makes for entertaining hockey as teams look for offence in all situations.It seems likely that we'll see this season eclipse the nine shorthanded goals scored last year, but could this be a record year for them? 2019-20 saw 11 shorties scored, 2018-19 had 17 shorthanded goals scored, 2017-18 saw 15 shorthanded markers counted, and 2016-17 saw ten shorthanded goals scored. Based on this year's current rate of shorthanded goals scored, it would means we're looking at 27 or 28 shorthanded goals which would be bonkers for a season total!
Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!
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