Andrew Kartusch scored the winning goal in both Game 1 (above) and Game 3 as the Griffins beat the Concordia Thunder 2-1 in their best-of-three ACAC quarter-final series (Jake Bradley photo).

March 10, 2020

Three Stars: Kartusch, Burgers, Skoye earn honours

MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Men's hockey student-athlete Andrew Kartusch is the MacEwan Athletics' first star of the week after leading the Griffins to victory over the Concordia Thunder in the opening round of the ACAC playoffs.

The second-year defenceman scored the game-winning goals in both Games 1 and 3, while completing a four-point weekend as the Griffins beat the Thunder 2-1 in the best-of-three series.

Other stars recognized this week include second star Shaunice Burgers of women's indoor track and third star Kyrelle Skoye of women's hockey.

Kartusch is being recognized for the second time this season, following second star honours on Feb. 25. Both Burgers and Skoye appear on the three stars list for the first time in 2019-20.

1^st STAR: Andrew Kartusch, D, men's hockey

Red Deeer, AB, second-year, Arts

With the MacEwan Griffins facing a tough challenge from underdog Concordia in a best-of-three quarter-final series over the weekend, they were in need of a clutch scorer to step up.

They got it from a man who is arguably also their best defender.

Kartusch opened up a 1-1 tie in Game 1, by cutting around a couple defenders and wiring home the game-winner in the first period. He then added an insurance marker later in the frame on a 5-on-3 powerplay as the Griffins went home with a 4-1 win.

After the Griffins dropped Game 2 at Clareview Arena 2-0, they returned home needing to win to stay alive in their bid for a fourth-straight ACAC Championship.

After fighting back to tie the contest 2-2, Kartusch stepped up big again, ripping the game-winner off the post and in with 6:52 left to send the Griffins to the ACAC semifinal round.

He also drew an assist on Cam Gotaas' game-tying goal to finish the weekend with four points.

Kartusch will lead the Griffins into a best-of-three series against Red Deer College on Friday (7 p.m. in Red Deer), Saturday (6 p.m., Downtown Community Arena) and, if necessary on Sunday (5 p.m. in Red Deer).

2^nd STAR: Shaunice Burgers, women's indoor track

Fort McMurray, AB, second-year, Business Management

The second-year MacEwan indoor track student-athlete ran a personal best 1:42.79 in the women's 600 metres at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Running Room Grand Prix #2 on Saturday in Red Deer.

That was good for second in the distance across the conference and gave the Griffins some key points in a distance they needed them in.

Burgers also ran a really strong opening leg for the Griffins in the women's 4x200m relay as she combined with Bailey Stang, Ashley Tymkow and Ember Large to finish third in 1:58.62.

The Fort McMurray product won silver medals in both the women's 300 and 600 at the 2019 ACAC Championship, while helping MacEwan win a silver in the 4x400 relay. She'll be looking for another big performance at the 2020 championship on March 21-22 at the University of Alberta Pavilion.

Shaunice Burgers, seen competing at the MacEwan Invitational in January, ran a personal best time in the women's 600 metres at the ACAC Running Room Grand Prix #2 in Red Deer last Saturday (Robert Antoniuk photo).

3^rd STAR: Kyrelle Skoye, D, women's hockey

St. Albert, AB, fourth-year, Arts

With neither team able to score in Game 1 of the ACAC Championship, Skoye stepped up for the Griffins with what would prove to be the only goal of the contest in a 1-0 MacEwan win over cross-town rival NAIT.

She fished the puck out of the skates of a defender, walked around her and knifed one under the bar on goalie Kaitlyn Slator.

Skoye didn't pick up a point in the Griffins' 3-0 win on Saturday, but was instrumental in her role on the blueline, consistently repelling the Ook's attacks and getting the puck up in transition.

Griffins goaltenders Brianna Sank and Natalie Bender have yet to allow a goal against in the series, a fact attributed not only to their strong play but that of the entire MacEwan defence, Skoye included, which has quieted a NAIT attack that averaged 2.67 goals per game during the regular season (and 2.17 vs. the Griffins in the regular season).

Skoye and the Griffins have a chance to clinch their fourth-straight ACAC Championship on home ice when they host the Ooks in Game 3 on Friday (7 p.m., Downtown Community Arena).

Kyrelle Skoye, seen defending in Game 2 at NAIT Arena last Saturday, scored the winning goal in the first game of the ACAC Championship series (Len Joudrey photo).

Due to the cancellation of the rest of the season, this ended up being the final Three Stars announcement of 2019-20. So, here is the full season of MacEwan three stars winners: