Buoyed by big UBC win, Griffins shift focus to road series at Trinity Western
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Consistency remains the goal for the MacEwan men's hockey team as they prepare for a second-straight West Coast road trip this weekend.
Coming off a huge 3-2 double overtime win over the UBC Thunderbirds last Saturday in Vancouver, the Griffins (4-4-0) are jumping back on a plane for a pair of games in Langley, B.C. against the Trinity Western Spartans (0-7-1) on Friday (8:15 p.m. MT) and Saturday (3:15 MT, both Canada West TV).
"It is a lot (of travelling), but I think it's important for our group to handle a little bit of adversity," said Griffins interim head coach Zack Dailey. "It helps with everything, being able to fight through being tired or excuses.
"It's a tough test for our guys, but we're looking forward to a challenge."
After splitting every weekend they've played so far, the Griffins are currently tied for the sixth and final playoff spot with Manitoba.
With wins over three national championship contenders last month, the Griffins come in with confidence as they aim for their first weekend sweep of the 2022-23 campaign.
"(The win over UBC) definitely gave us a lift and some confidence, but at the same time that's behind us," said Dailey. "We're happy we have those points – they're in the bank and they can't be taken away. We're now focused on a new task.
"One thing we're working on as a group is being able to play the same way no matter who we're playing. Not watching the standings, we're preparing the same way and hoping for the same consistent effort, whether we're up or down in games and no matter who our opponent is."
TWU hasn't won a game yet this season but taking them lightly would be a mistake. There is an inherent rivalry between the Griffins and Spartans because they entered Canada West at the same time, so you know they'll be up for these games.
"This is a team looking to find their way in Canada West, same as us," said Dailey. "They have a lot of speed on their team, and they work very hard.
"We have to be ready to match their effort and intensity, and that's going to be a tough task for us."
