Dwayne Jean Jr. and Caden Cabana go on the attack on Saturday (Ethan Bomhof photo).
Dwayne Jean Jr. and Caden Cabana go on the attack on Saturday (Ethan Bomhof photo).
October 19, 2025

Griffins play most of the night on their heels before falling 6-3 to MRU

Box Score

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

CALGARY – After scoring on their first shot 1:11 into the game on Saturday, the MacEwan Griffins went the entire rest of the first period without hitting the net.

Such was the slow start they suffered through, eventually finding themselves down 4-1 to the Mount Royal Cougars, en route to a 6-3 defeat.

The game was in stark contrast to the effort MacEwan manufactured in Friday's 3-1 win in Edmonton over the Cougars where they were relentless in puck pursuit in a full 60-minute performance.

"We knew they were going to come out firing and I don't think we were prepared for that, so we were definitely on our heels most of the game," said Griffins head coach Zack Dailey. "I think the third period, we kind of figured it out a little bit there, but too undisciplined, too many penalties shooting ourselves in the foot."

The bright spot for the Griffins was the play of Liam Hughes, who was inserted into the lineup for only the third time this season. He proceeded to score twice and add an assist in his finest effort as a Griffin.

His first came on a breakaway to open the scoring and his second goal was just seven seconds into the third period as the puck stuck in a pool of water, and he pounced on the sitter with a cannon of a slapshot.

"He's someone who hasn't been in the lineup the last couple games and I challenged him to be better once he got an opportunity and I think tonight he had a little bit of jump and showed he can add offence to our group," said Dailey. "Good game by him. That's the expectation if he's going to be in the lineup. Obviously not always three points but pushing to create offence."

Logan Dowhaniuk also scored for the Griffins, hitting the twine on a powerplay point shot in the third period that pulled MacEwan to only 4-3 down. 

But MRU's Connor Bouchard restored a two-goal lead just over two minutes later before Jayden Wiens added an empty netter to seal the deal.

Zac Onyskiw made 41 saves for MacEwan, while Riley Sims stopped 18 for MRU.

With the result, the Griffins are now 2-3-1, while MRU moves back to .500 at 3-3-0. 

The weekend split against the U SPORTS No. 8-ranked team is not a bad result, but the Griffins also need to start getting more weekend sweeps.

"I just think we're a group that's trying to take the next step and the inconsistency is something that top teams do not have, so that's something we're trying to work out of our game," said Dailey. "It's a work in progress. This weekend, overall, was pretty good. It was just a sour ending to a pretty good performance yesterday."

The Griffins will be at home next weekend for a doubleheader series vs. Trinity Western – Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (3 p.m., both Downtown Community Arena, Canada West TV).