Three Stars: Shimoda, Christmann, Donohoe earn honours
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Women's volleyball student-athlete Payton Shimoda is the MacEwan Athletics' first star of the week after recording 99 assists in two matches, both victories over the Regina Cougars.
In Saturday's 3-2 triumph, she matched the program record with 53 assists as she led the Griffins on an inspired rally from 2-0 down to complete their first weekend sweep of the season.
Women's hockey goaltender Mikayla Christmann and men's hockey defenceman Hunter Donohoe were named the second and third stars, respectively.
It's the first appearance of the 2024-25 season for both Shimoda and Christmann, while Donohoe is being honoured for the second time, following a second star selection on Jan. 7.
Payton Shimoda celebrates a point during Friday's 3-2 win over Regina. She finished the weekend with 99 assists, including matching the program record with 53 on Saturday (James Maclennan photo).
1st STAR: Payton Shimoda, S, women's volleyball
Edmonton, AB, fourth-year, Commerce
Needing to rally from 2-0 down against the Regina Cougars on Saturday, the veteran setter took the Griffins on her back, setting a masterful, varied attack as MacEwan battled back to win 3-2.
When the dust cleared on their victory (and first weekend sweep of the season) Shimoda had recorded 53 assists, which matches the most by a Griffin in a Canada West match – a record set by Rebecca Martin in 2015, and also tied by Kylie Schubert in 2020.
Shimoda also had 46 assists in Friday's 3-2 win over Regina – tied for the third-most she's had in a Canada West match in her career – to finish with 99 on the weekend.
That gives her 341 assists on the season and 1,941 in her career, which is just 69 shy of the all-time program record of 2,010, held by Claire McLoughlin (2015-18).
Shimoda will have a chance to beat that this weekend as the Griffins head out on a road trip to Mount Royal on Friday (8 p.m.) and Saturday (5 p.m., both Canada West TV).
Mikayla Christmann, seen on the Griffins' media day, earned a 32-save shutout in her U SPORTS debut, leading MacEwan past Manitoba 2-0 on Saturday (Jefferson Hagen photo).
2nd STAR: Mikayla Christmann, G, women's hockey
Warman, SK, first-year, Science
The rookie goaltender couldn't have dreamed up a better scenario for her U SPORTS debut as she made 32 saves for a shutout in MacEwan's 2-0 win over the Manitoba Bisons on Saturday.
Christmann, the reigning Saskatchewan Female U18AAA goaltender of the year for the Saskatoon Stars in 2023-24, has had to sit and wait for her opportunity as the team's third goalie all season prior to this weekend.
But after dressing as Brianna Sank's backup in Friday's 3-2 loss, she stole the show in her first start on Saturday as the Griffins were outshot 32-21, but won because of their goaltender and a two-goal effort from Joie Simon.
Christmann will look to continue the momentum from a strong debut into the rest of the season as the Griffins, eliminated from playoff contention, will be building for the future.
They travel to Saskatchewan this weekend for games Friday (6 p.m. MT) and Saturday (4 p.m. MT, both Canada West TV) before finishing the season with a home-and-home series against Calgary Feb. 7-8 and a home series vs. Regina (Feb. 14-15).
Hunter Donohoe finished with four assists in two weekend games at Manitoba and is the new program single season assists leader in the Griffins' Canada West era (Zachary Peters photo).
3rd STAR: Hunter Donohoe, D, men's hockey
Surrey, BC, fourth-year, Arts
With an assist on Liam Ryan's goal in the first period of last Friday's 5-4 win over Manitoba, Donohoe broke the program record for the most assists by a Griffin in a Canada West season.
He passed the 15 Ethan Strang had in 2023-24 on the play, but his weekend was just beginning.
Donohoe added another apple on Caden Cabana's second period goal, the Griffins' fourth on Friday, and then proceeded to also have a two-assist effort in MacEwan's 6-3 loss to Manitoba on Saturday – drawing helpers on goals by Carter Chorney and Marc Pasemko.
For the season, Donohoe now has 19 assists in 22 games, which is tied for sixth in Canada West – and T3rd amongst defencemen in the conference.
The Griffins will host Saskatchewan on Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (5 p.m., both Downtown Community Arena, Canada West TV).
